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roylehew · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 8:21 pm Post subject: pe design 7.0 help please

CAN SOMEONE HELP ME
I;M GETTING SO FRUSTRATED
I;m using pe design 7.0 I am doing a tutorial on it, but my biggest problem is I cannot get the clip art into layout and editing...
can someone tell me the steps you need to do to get clipart into layout and editing. I think you have to save the clipart as a different file type, but what then......

Cutiepie · Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 12:45 am Post subject:

Ooh, I wish I could help you. Unfortunately, I know nothing about that particular software program. Sad

I sure hope that someone knows what you need to learn and will answer soon.

marji · Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 9:28 am Post subject:

Hi,
Hope I can make an intelligent suggestion here. I use Janome Digitizer Pro, but let me take a stab at it. First, you may have to save the artwork as a bmp, or possibly wmf (vector image) to get it to work. Digitizer Pro will not recognize jpgs, I know that much. You should have somewhere on your menu choices like 'import image' and 'import design'. When you are in your 'hoop' or 'frame' screen, choose 'import image'. If it's in the proper format for your software, it should then show up in the hoop. If you're getting clip art off the web, a lot of times it's jpg, or gif. I'm not sure of any programs that recognize gif's, as they are too small. Try converting to bmp and see if that helps you.

I sure hope somebody that uses PE Design will hop on here, and give you more detailed and accurate information. Good Luck!!!

Marji

Silver · Forum Friend Joined: 07 Aug 2007 Posts: 176 Location: USA

Following through on Cutie Pie and Marji have said if it's an image type problem then you will need to change that image into something the program will accept.

First ....try opening the image using Paint, Corel Draw, Paint Shop or a similar graphics type program. If you have Windows on your computer you have MS Paint... it is either under Programs or in the Start Menu under Accessories...

Next...when the image is displayed 'Save As' and type in a different file name from the original... so if it's 'Flowers' save it as 'Flowers test 1' or something similar ...that way you won't accidentally delete the good image. Saving an image to a new file type will probably decrease the colors or change something and probably not in a good way... Try saving it as a wmf or a bmp.

The next step is to try and make sure the image is as simple and 'noise' free as possible ('stray' colors and spots) ...This may take some doing if it was a jpg...

The easiest way to digitize is to start with .wmf (or another vector type image) or a bmp. Vector images are made up of lines, areas and fills... bmps are made up of small squares of color and are not as 'neat' to work with but are easier to make changes on. Converting images can be a 'messy' time consuming business. Using some of these programs like Corel or Adobe is no cake walk either. There are all sorts of cds you can buy with royalty free clip art. (Please avoid free clip art online...it is usually full of spyware!!) I know many programs brag about their ability to do 'Photo Stitch' designs but unless you have hundreds of colors of thread and lots of time the end product will probably not look so hot.

If you are trying to use a jpg, like a photograph, then the PE Design should be able to handle it using a different option for importing such images. I am assuming PE Design can handle it since Masterworks does and they are made by the same corporation...

I feel sad for your trouble and frustration... I have been there myself. If this program was bought new from a accredited dealer then I would be at their store or on the phone with them. They OWE you that assistance. It is part of why the program cost as much as it does. If they will not help you then there are always educators or customer reps at the company that made the software who should know you need help and are not getting it... If you bought the program used then I am sad to say that they will probably not help you... That's is why I cringe when I see people advertise used or 'cracked' versions of digitizing programs... you are kinda on your own when you buy them...

Maybe if you are more specific about what kind of image you are trying to insert then we can help a bit more even if we do not use the same program. Most of them are fairly similar. Just Don't Give Up! We will do all we can to help you!

Silver

roylehew · Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 5:28 pm Post subject: THANK YOU

I am going to give it a try tonight..... hope it works. if not I will get back to you....AGAIN THANK YOU!!!

roylehew · Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 5:44 pm Post subject: pe design 7.0

Can you tell me where you can find .wmf clipart files?

I want to start with the easiest ones to digitize..... I do have vector clip art on some CDs I have....

I probably sound very dumb, but I am totally new to this... I did purchase the software from a reputable place, but the lessons I got were not very good... I think I'm going to go back there and see if someone other person there can give me some help... I paid $900.00 for the software....
and as I stated earlier, I am getting very frustrated...

Silver · Forum Friend Joined: 07 Aug 2007 Posts: 176 Location: USA

I can sure empathize with how you feel... I have been left 'out in the cold' four times by dealers after buying digitizers. I guess that's why I get so angry when I hear about people being treated like I was...

Sometimes clip art disks have wmf's in their collection. Any simple (limit the colors they have) image will actually do for a start. If you have print project programs like Print Artist, Print Master or similar they often have images you can export and save as .wmf-s or similar as well.

What I would do is find a simple color image, or one that looks like a coloring book page. Whatever type it is would not really be of concern so long as your digitizer will accept it. Then use a simple program like MS Paint to color the image in using no more than a 16 colors (NOT 16 bit color) if it's just line art. It may not be the highest quality image you can use but it will give you the ability to succeed and then you can proceed on with better quality images. Then import that image and try out your digitizer.

Tell me what sort of design you'd like to do (especially wild life and other animals) and I will see if I have something of interest to you in the form of a coloring book type image that you can use.

Don't get upset with this hobby just yet.... Dealers all make this process of digitizing sound simple but they often neglect to tell you it is because they have had lessons and attended seminars to show them how to do it.

Let's just start with a simple one-step-at-a-time process. I will do my best, as I am sure anyone else in here who digitizes will, to help you any way we can. If I were you though I would for sure talk with the dealer about helping you out too... Like I said, IMO, they OWE you that!

You are not asking stupid questions!!! We have all been frustrated with something at one time or another and it is the smart people, not the dumb ones, who ask for help!

Smile!!! Very Happy

....and have a great day

Silver

Silver · Forum Friend Joined: 07 Aug 2007 Posts: 176 Location: USA

I am not endorsing this site but I have found some nice freebies here:
http://www.diddybag.com/clipart.asp?c=25
I think you have to join a club (free) but the newsletters are no more imposing than Yahoo group notifications.

roylehew

I finally did get a clipart to open in layout & editing. still having problem with digitizing the item though.

Are coloring book items easier to digitize???

Yes I would love you to send me something really easy to try...