Notes From My Second 4D Software Lesson

Some pointers in answer to questions that I posed:

• It is important to back up all of my settings to a flash drive.  This is because if I ever have to reload the program for whatever reason I will still have all of my settings...including my threads which could be a huge project to reload at once, if I acquire a large variety of threads. 
• There are a couple of ways to resize a design.  One way (not the recommended way) is by using the black handles which maintains stitch count.  This is not good for density.  To maintain density, use the clear handles.  Either way, I would hold the control key and drag until I have the size that I want.  (And remember: always resize from the original!)
• When creating a design, color sort before combining lettering with a design. 
• Use the tab key to go between parts of a design before combining sets.

Quick Font Wizard:

• Using a Western character set will give me all of the characters that I would typically need to use. 
• Use 4 density.  The higher the number, the higher the density.
• Satin is better than fill for small letters.
• When using applique for letters, if I am using many small pieces of fabric (using up scraps?) it is best to use a running stitch.  If I have one large piece of fabric, then use a double stitch.
• Save whatever I create into 'My Fonts'.  Everything in there will be what I created.

Design Aligner:

• If I want to use just part of a design I can use Design Aligner to select it. Go to 'color select' and uncheck what I don't want. Then copy it to the clipboard. 

Roses Are Red

About two weeks ago I had my first 'one on one' orientation on the software with my tutor. This time was included with my purchase and for this I am very grateful!  I had not done much with the program since Christmas (it was a gift from DH).  I had looked through the manuals and DH had helped me to load it on the computer and also all of the upgrades that were already available online.   Actually doing anything was a little more intimidating at first.  It is very helpful for me to have that personal tutoring.  The manuals make more sense and I can also better understand the online video tutorials, now that I have had some time with it. 

I would recommend to anyone to take the time to watch and work through the online tutorials as many times as necessary until it becomes old hat.  The first one demonstrates how to make a design called 'Roses are Red'.  Through the process of creating, you will learn how to use these various design tools:  Shapes, Encore Hoop, Multi-Line Text, Letter Properties and ExpressDesign Wizard.

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My tutor also offered to me a number of her own pointers on using the software.  Some of which are probably not in any book or 'Help', but tricks that she has learned along the way.  I am sure that I missed some of the nitty gritty of her nuggets of info...  If I have misinterpreted anything, then I will come back and make corrections as soon as I figure it out.

• One thing I was told is that items could begin to disappear from my toolbar.  If this happens, then I have to close all modules and go to 4D Configure and click on 'reset modules'. 
• From my 'Machine Manager' I can go to Topaz 20 (my model) and go to Pfaff and load 'Creative Vision'.  Then I will be able to use their stitches in 4D to create embroideries.  I cannot use Pfaff directly on my machine. 
• When sending a file design from 4D to my flash drive, do not use the the 'send' function.  Use the 'save' icon instead.  The 'send' function sends it to a place on my flash drive that only has one space.  It is my understanding that it is like a temp file.  If I were to use it, then the next time I 'send' another file design to my flash drive, then the previous one will disappear.
• 'Monogram Wizard' and 'Family Portrait' are not included with 4D Professional.
• If I am going to resize a design, then use 'Stitch Editor'.
• Always resize  from an original so that the stitches and fills, etc. are not distorted.
• To take something off clipboard, use the 'print screen' button on my keyboard.
• Always center my design in 4D using 'center' icon on toolbar.  This centers the first and the last stitch.
• Round circles at the corners of my design frame means that I have confused the program.  The design is outside the hoop.  Use the 'center' icon on the toolbar to correct the problem.
• When the design is finished, right click to activate.
• Always use the default .vp3 when saving a design.  This will insure that all of the info goes with the design.  .vp3 is able to remember way more colors, the notes you have applied and any other info pertinent to the design. 

Another thing I found out after I got home and sat down to practice using the software is that the dongle has to be plugged in to use the 4D Embroidery program.  I tried without it at first and kept getting an error message:  'HASP key not found (H0007)'.  Due to my total unfamiliarity, I had to go online to the 4D Embroidery website and do a search.

Addendum: After reading some, I found out that the dongle is a 'security devise'.  I suppose this prevents someone from copying and sharing the software illegally.  Hey, this probably comes as no big revelation to the Geeks out there!

First Solo Flight

The first embroidery that I did at home without guidance a few months ago.  This design was included with my Topaz 20 and is one of my favorites.

Look at what I can do!

Last Fall my original plan was to buy a good quality sewing machine.  Machine embroidery was not even on my mind at the time.  I had never had a good machine before...having suffered through the last twenty-five years or more with a low end Singer purchased at the BX at Vandenberg AFB.  I was just about twenty years old and newly enlisted in the Air Force.   Fast forward to 2009: finally!  DH said, "Go get what you want"!  Well, here I am pushing fifty and now I get my good machine!  As for the embroidery bonus? Once I saw the selection of Husqvarna Vikings in the store and what they could do, I was hooked.  My Topaz 20, which I chose, not only gives me everything that I wanted in a sewing machine, but for only a bit more, I'm now having all this fun with machine embroidery!

The design above is one that Teach did for me on the day I picked up my machine back in October.

Kaleidoscope Cross Stitch

Go to the September 2009 Newsletter and read about the Kaleidoscope Cross Stitch design idea.  I am interested in this because I was recently looking into buying some software (Kaleidoscope Kreator) that would allow me to create kaleidoscope designs from my digital photography for sewing and crafting. 

I have not yet purchased Kaleidoscope Kreator for that purpose, but I think I may be able to do some pretty nifty things with my 4D Cross Stitch Designer and the process described to satisfy my kaleidoscope dreams for the time being!

More later, after I have had some time to work with it.

What it's all about

As I begin this particular trek into the world of machine embroidery, the thought occured to me that instead of keeping all of my notes in a spiral bound notebook (and thus to myself), it might be helpful to others out there if I devoted a blog to what I learn along the way. 

I will link to the official Husqvarna Viking 4D Embroidery website where pages are applicable when I find them.  There are a newsletter and tutorials, and I will comment on those as I work through the ones I find useful at a given time.  This will not necessarily be in chronological order.