Disclaimers • • • • • • • • • • • Warranty The converter box will not read manufacturer’s alphabet memory cards. All designs must fit inside the sewing hoop capabilities of your machine. Reducing the design to fit inside your hoop may affect the sewability. Some designs may have stitches that can not be read correctly into the converter box. The converter box can not warrant the quality of third party digitizers.
II Amazing Box Limited Warranty 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. All parts other than connector pins are warranted to be free from defects for a period of one year and will be at the manufacturer's option, replaced or repaired at no charge to you, the consumer, for a period of one year from date of original purchase, provided said parts or machine are returned, and transportation prepaid. There is no charge for covered parts or labor when a converter box is returned within 90 days of the original purchase.
Warranty 7. 8. 9. 10. THIS LIMITED WARRANTY IS THE EXCLUSIVE WARRANTY AND ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, ARE HEREBY DISCLAIMED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. This warranty is in effect provided the converter box is used only for normal household sewing purposes and not commercial use, and given reasonably good care.
IV Amazing Box . 11. This warranty is nontransferable and extends only to the original purchaser when new and when purchased from a duly authorized dealer. This warranty is in lieu of all other warranties. The manufacturer is not responsible for any representation, expressed or implied other than those contained herein. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.
Warranty IMPORTANT INFORMATION: REGULATIONS Federal Communications Commission Compliance Notice (for U.S.A. only) This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
VI Amazing Box Important - About the Interface Cable This equipment has been certified to comply with FCC standards, which are applied to the U.S.A. only. A shielded interface cable should be used according to FCC 15.27 (C) Caution Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the manufacturer or local sales distributor could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.
Table of Contents Table of Contents Disclaimers Limited Warranty Support FCC Table of Contents I II IV V VII Introduction Why Choose The Amazing Box Terms Used in This Manual Icons Used in This Book 1 2 2 3 Installation Accessory Page Computer Requirements Hardware Installation Troubleshooting Software Installation Start Program 5 6 6 7 9 12 14 File Formats File Formats 15 16 Quick Start General Operation Read Load Delete 19 20 21 23 25 VII
VIII Amazing Box Table of Contents (cont) Write Using Compatible Software 25 26 Main Screen Design Screen Dialog Box Read GNC Files Zip Files Load Card Write Card Delete Options Exit Sewing Field Index 29 31 32 32 35 35 36 40 44 44 45 46 Color Editor Drop Down Menu File View Options Help Tool Bar Main Tool Bar Color Bar Status Bar 49 50 51 60 61 65 66 67 69 71 Frequently Asked Questions FAQ’s 73 74
Introduction ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ About This Manual The Amazing Box gives you the unique ability to convert your favorite design from one format to another, and the ability to use designs from disks, CDs and the Internet. This manual is not only filled with information about how to use the program, but it also includes many timesaving tips that will make you more productive, efficient and effective with your embroidery projects.
FAQs Amazing Box Why Choose The Amazing Box The Amazing Box has the most flexible and easy-to-use-features allowing you to work directly with Smart Sizer Gold, Lettering Pro, Size Express, Fast Fills, Click ‘N Stitch, and Color Editor. With these six products, you can size, edit, add lettering, pattern fill, and colorize your designs.
This icon indicates a story. These stories help to explain and simplify problems that may be confusing. This icon indicates helpful tips that enable you to better understand how the software works. This icon provides information that will save you time in your day-to-day use of the software and in some cases the use of your computer. mber This icon is placed next to sections of this manual you should not forget. Pay close attention to anything with this icon. It may come in handy later.
FAQs Color Editor Main Screen Quick Start File Formats Installation Introduction 4 Amazing Box
Installation ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Items Found in this Section: 1 2 3 4 5 Accessory Page Computer Requirements Hardware Installation Software Installation Start Program
6 Amazing Box FAQs Color Editor Main Screen Quick Start File Formats Installation Introduction Accessory Page Included with The Amazing Box: 1 Amazing Box 1 Rewritable Memory Card - in jewel case 1 Instruction manual 1 Amazing Box Software on CD-ROM Including Color Editor & Adobe Acrobat 1 USB Cable Options: Additional Rewritable Memory Cards Smart Sizer Gold - editing software Lettering Pro - text program Size Express - resizing software Fast Fills - pattern fill software Click ‘N Stitch - autodigitiz
Installation 7 1 2 Plug flat end of USB cable into USB port. This port may be in the front or back of your machine. 3 Plug square end of your USB cable into the back of your Amazing Box. 2 3 4 Turn ON computer. 4 5 The first screen you see will say “New Hardware Found.” Simply insert your installation CD into the drive and click “Next.” Color Editor Main Screen Quick Start File Formats Turn OFF computer.
FAQs Color Editor Main Screen Quick Start File Formats Installation Introduction 8 Amazing Box 7 With “Search for suitable driver...” selected, click “Next.” 8 Select only “CDROM drives” and then click “Next.” 9 After Windows has found the driver, click “Next” to start the installation process. 10 Finally, select “Finish.” Your driver installation is complete, and you are ready to install your Amazing Box software.
Installation 9 NOTE: If you fail to stop your Amazing Box before unplugging it, you will have to reinstall the driver from your installation CD. Color Editor Main Screen Quick Start File Formats The next time you plug your Amazing Box in, Windows will automatically recognize the conversion box driver. Figure 1 FAQs If you use Windows 2000, Millenium Edition (ME), or XP, you will see an icon (Figure 1) appear at the bottom right corner of your screen (near the clock).
Amazing Box FAQs Color Editor Main Screen Quick Start File Formats Installation Introduction 10 Microsoft's Logo compatibility testing is put in place to ensure that users do not incur problems with equipment manufacturers' products. While The Amazing Box is in the process of gaining "formal" Microsoft approval, it has been tested for use under the Windows XP operating system and is Windows XP compatible.
Installation 11 Color Editor Main Screen Quick Start File Formats FAQs If you get a message on your screen saying, “No comport...” this usually means the USB driver is not installed correctly. Follow the following steps to reinstall the driver. 1. Unplug the USB cable from the computer while it is on. 2. Turn off your computer. 3. Plug the USB cable back into the computer. 4. Turn on the computer. 5. A Mircrosoft message stating, “New hardware found,” appears. 6.
12 Amazing Box Color Editor Main Screen Quick Start File Formats Installation Introduction Software Installation 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. FAQs Figure Inst-1 From the Windows desktop close all open programs. Place The Amazing Box CD in the CD-ROM drive. From the Windows desktop, click on the Start button. Click on the Run button. At the Run prompt you will need to type the letter of your CD-ROM Drive followed by Setup.
Click Next. Figure Inst-2 7. Click Next. Figure Inst-3 8. Click Next. FAQs Figure Inst-4 Installation Introduction 6. 13 Color Editor Main Screen Quick Start File Formats Installation 9. Figure Inst-5 Click Finish.
14 Amazing Box FAQs Color Editor Main Screen Quick Start File Formats Installation Introduction Start Program Follow the steps below in order to run The Amazing Box. To start the program: 1. Go to Start. 2. Click on Programs. 3. Click on Great Notions. 4. Click on Amazing Box. Amazing Box appears on your screen as shown in Figure Inst-6. Your Amazing Box and software is properly installed and is ready to use.
File Formats ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
FAQs Color Editor Main Screen Quick Start File Formats Installation Introduction 16 Amazing Box File Formats File Formats are designs on your hard drive, floppy or CD-ROM that The Amazing Box will read. There are many different file formats the Amazing Box will open. You will find them listed below. GNC (*.gnc) A “GNC” file is a scalable format used with Amazing Designs software. This format enables you to enlarge or reduce the size of the design using Smart Sizer Gold.
A “EXP” file is an expanded file format that works with the Converter Box. JEF (*.jef) A “JEF” file is an expanded file format that works with the Janome 10000 machine. PCS (*.pcs) A “PCS” file is an expanded file format that works with Pfaff PC-Designer V2.0 (PC), and Pfaff PC-Designer V2.1 (PC) software. PES (*.pes) A “PES” file is an expanded file format that works with Babylock Palette, Bernina Wizard and Brother PE-Design software. SEW (*.
FAQs Amazing Box mber Reme Color Editor Main Screen Quick Start File Formats Installation Introduction 18 An expanded format is any format that will not regenerate new stitches when resized. This means that if you reduce an expanded design, the stitch count will not change. What happens is that the stitches will get closer together and you may end up with thread or needle breakage and/or damage to your garment.
Quick Start ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Items Found in this Section: General Operation A Read B Load C Delete D Write Using Compatible Software
20 Amazing Box FAQs 1. Make sure The Amazing Box has power. To do this, simply verify the green light on the front of The Amazing Box is on. Warning 2. Open the Amazing Box program by doubleclicking on the icon. Make sure you have only opened the program one time. When you double click the icon, it takes a few seconds for the program to open.
Read Tip Tip The Read function lets you select a design from a file. You can read designs from a floppy disk, CD, or your hard drive. The Amazing Box software is conversion software. This means that you can “read” CSD, DST, PES, HUS, JEF, SEW, XXX and PCS file extensions into this software. The Read function also reads zipped files without you having to unzip them first. The GNC format is found on the Amazing Designs disk collections.
22 Amazing Box Reme Color Editor Main Screen Quick Start File Formats Installation Introduction mber Remember, the box is a design file transfer system for finished file sewing formats. You cannot read .bmp, .jpg, or any kind of clip art into this program. There is no digitizing software included. Click the Read button, and the standard “Open” window appears (Figure QS-2). Click the down arrow to the right of the “Look in” box and follow the path to the folder or drive where your designs are stored.
The Load function is what enables you to take designs from memory cards into the software and write them back to a card for your embroidery machine. 1. Simply insert the preprogrammed memory card into the appropriate slot (See Figure QS-3 on the next page) in the box and the Load button will highlight. 2. Click the Load button and type the number of the desired design and click OK to load that design. You can also view all the designs on the memory card by clicking Browse.
Amazing Box 1 3 5 6 Figure QS-3 2 4 1 Upper Left Card Slot (Slot 1) The card slot for Babylock, Bernina-Deco, Brother, Simplicity, Viking #1+, Rose, and 605 Cards. 2 Lower Left Card Slot (Slot 2) The card slot for Pfaff, Janome 10000 and Bernina-Artista Cards. 3 Upper Right Card Slot (Slot 3) The card slot for Singer Cards. 4 Lower Right Card Slot (Slot 4) The card slot for Elna, Janome, New Home, and Kenmore Cards.
The Delete button is used to remove a design from any of the 6 squares on the screen. Click the design you want to delete then click the Delete button and the design disappears. Write Once you have up to 6 designs on your screen then you are ready to insert your rewritable memory card into the appropriate slot on the Amazing Box and write the designs to the rewritable card for sewing. See Figure QS-3 for which slots cards are assigned to. 1. Click one of the 3 buttons below “Write Card.
FAQs Warning Warning Amazing Box Only one card in the box at a time! Do not remove your card while the red light is on. mber Reme Color Editor Main Screen Quick Start File Formats Installation Introduction 26 You will see a status bar with numbers counting up “Writing block….”. There is no specific number at which the transfer will stop. You must wait until the status bar is no longer on the screen to remove your card.
Reme mber This also works with any other Amazing Designs software. Figure QS-4 Color Editor Main Screen Quick Start File Formats Installation Introduction Ex. To send a design from the Main Screen into Color Editor: 1. Open Color Editor and maximize. 2. Double click on the desired design on the Main Screen, and this design will automatically be transferred into Color Editor (Figure QS-4). 3. Once in Color Editor, recolor the design by clicking on the color block below the design. 4.
FAQs Color Editor Main Screen Quick Start File Formats Installation Introduction 28 Amazing Box
Main Screen ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ In this section of the manual, all the features on the Main Screen are explained.
FAQs Color Editor Main Screen Quick Start File Formats Installation Introduction 30 Amazing Box Main Screen Figure MS-2 A B C D E F G H Design Screen Dialog Box Read Load Write Delete Options Exit
Main Screen When using The Amazing Box, you are able to place up to six designs onto a card at one time (Depending on the size, stitch count and/or color changes in the design). The six boxes, as shown in Figure MS-3 will display the sequence of the designs selected before writing to a card.
32 Amazing Box FAQs Color Editor Main Screen Quick Start File Formats Installation Introduction B Dialog Box When moving your mouse over the different features in the program, information about that feature will be displayed in the Dialog Box. C Read Click the Read button or the File/Open dropdown menu to open the “Open” window as shown below in Figure MS-4. Using the down arrow to the right of the “Look in” box, find the directory or drive in which your designs are stored.
Figure MS-5 With the “Browse” function open, there are several things to note. In the “Sort By” function, you can sort your designs by name or extension. Click on the menu arrow under “Directory,” for the listing of sub-directories in your computer. Select the directory and the designs will automatically load onto the window as shown in Figure MS-5. Color Editor Main Screen Quick Start File Formats Installation Introduction Another feature in the “Open” window is “Browse.
34 Amazing Box FAQs This icon will take you to the previous page of designs. This icon will take you back one design. This icon will take you forward one design. This icon will take you to the next page of designs. This icon will take you to your last design. After selecting a design, click on OK to load the design to screen. Click the Cancel button to close the window. mber Reme Color Editor Main Screen Quick Start File Formats Installation Introduction This icon will take you to your first design.
PCS: Pfaff PC-Designer V2.0 & V2.1 PC (*.pcs) Split at 16 colors PEC: Babylock Palette/Bernina Wizard/Brother PE-Design (*.pec) PES: Babylock/Bernina Deco/Brother/ Simplicity (*.pes, *.pec) SEW: Elna/Janome (*.sew) XXX: Singer (*.xxx) GNC Files GNC formated designs will automatically resize if necessary to fit the sewing field you are writing to. The GNC format is only found on Amazing Designs disk collections. Zip Files The Amazing Box will also read zip files.
36 Select the zipped file that you want to take a design from and click Open. The “Zip Directory” opens, displaying the designs within that zip file as shown in Figure MS-6a. Color Editor Main Screen Quick Start File Formats Installation Introduction Figure MS-6a Select the desired file and click Open to load it, or click Cancel to close the window and return to the “Main Screen.
Upper Left Card Slot (Slot 1) The card slot for Babylock, Bernina-Deco, Brother, Simplicity, Viking #1+, Rose, and 605 Cards. 2 Lower Left Card Slot (Slot 2) The card slot for Pfaff, Janome 10000, and Bernina-Artista Cards. 3 Upper Right Card Slot (Slot 3) The card slot for Singer Cards. 4 Lower Right Card Slot (Slot 4) The card slot for Elna, Janome, New Home, and Kenmore Cards.
FAQs Color Editor Main Screen Quick Start File Formats Installation Introduction 38 Amazing Box 1 Figure MS-7 4 2 3 1 2 3 4 Type in the design number of the single design you wish to load if you know the numbered position of the design. After typing in the design number, click OK and the desired design will load. If you do not know the number of the design, click Browse and all the designs on the card will be displayed. The “Browse” function is further explained on the next page.
b Figure MS-7a c a d e a b c d e Up to six designs can be shown at one time depending on the number of designs on the card as shown in Figure MS-7a. Select the desired design then click Load to send the design to the “Main Screen.” You can select up to 6 designs depending on the space available on the “Main Screen.” The “Card’s Directory” will not close until you click OK. Clicking the Next Page button will show the next six designs. Clicking the Prev Page button will show the previous six designs.
40 Amazing Box Write The Amazing Box has the capability of loading and writing memory card designs. You must have the appropriate writable card to be able to write designs for your machine. Listed below are the writable card formats and their appropriate slots in The Amazing Box. mber Reme FAQs Color Editor Main Screen Quick Start File Formats Installation Introduction E 1 Upper Left Card Slot (Slot 1) The card slot for Babylock, Bernina-Deco, Brother, Simplicity, Viking #1+, Rose, and 605 Cards.
To program the “Write Card” buttons for your machine, first insert a writable card into the appropriate slot in the box. Now click any of the buttons marked “Unknown.” A new dialog box appears as shown in Figure MS-8. Click the down arrow to select your machine from the choices given.
FAQs Amazing Box Tip Only the machine choices for the card inserted in the slot will be offered (ex. the upper left side slot is for format PES/HUS so only BabyLock/ Brother/Deco/Simplicity/Viking machines will be offered). Select the appropriate machine model. Tip Color Editor Main Screen Quick Start File Formats Installation Introduction 42 If you do not see your machine model you can select a different machine by the same manufacturer with the same single sewing field parameters.
Do not remove your card while the red light is on! When the Amazing Box is done writing the designs to the card, it will display a “Success” window (Figure MS-8b). You are now ready to take the card to your machine and sew! Figure MS-8b Warning Reme mber This software will not split designs for multiposition hoops. You can only save designs to your writable card in the size that you machine will sew in a single sewing field. One card in the box at a time.
44 Amazing Box Some machines require designs to split into multiple files depending on the number of colors and stitch count. If your design doesn’t appear to have sewn out completely, then you may need to select the next file on the card to complete your design. Ex. Pfaff PCS format splits at 16 colors or 14,000 stitches. Reme F Delete The Delete button gives you the ability to remove a design before writing to the card.
Tip Tip Figure MS-9a If you do not see your machine model you can select a different machine by the same manufacturer with the same single sewing field parameters. You can select from the list provided at the end of this section. You can set each “Write” button to reflect your personal machine. If you own more than one model you can set the buttons accordingly. Once you set the “Write” button to a certain machine it will remain set until you change it.
FAQs Color Editor Main Screen Quick Start File Formats Installation Introduction 46 Amazing Box Memory card driven machines Maximum Single Sewing Field By Machine Machine Hoop Size File BabyLock ESI/ESI2 BabyLock EM1/EM2/eac/BL60E Bernina Deco 500/600 Simplicity SE1/SE2/SE3 Brother PE150/100/200/300S/7500 White W3300 100 x 100 100 x 100 100 x 100 100 x 100 100 x 100 100 x 100 PES PES PES PES PES PES BabyLock ESE/ESE2/Ellure Brother 8200/8500/6500 130 x 180 130 x 180 PES PES BabyLock Ellageo 1/2
Machine Hoop Size File Janome 10000 140 x 200 JEF Pfaff 7570/7560 Pfaff 2140 115 x 120 140 x 225 PCS VIP Viking Rose/1+/Iris 100 x 100 HUS Singer XL100 112 x 80 PSW Singer XL150 Singer XL1000 130 x 240 130 x 240 PSW PSW *********** Single sewing fields listed for current model machines even though the Amazing Box may not be capable of saving to some of the larger sewing fields at this time.
FAQs Color Editor Main Screen Quick Start File Formats Installation Introduction 48 Amazing Box
Color Editor ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ In this section, all the features of the Color Editor software are explained. Figure CE-1 Color Editor is a separate program provided with The Amazing Box for the purpose of changing a design’s color information.
FAQs Color Editor Main Screen Quick Start File Formats Installation Introduction 50 Amazing Box Drop-Down Menus ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Immediately below the title bar is the drop-down menu. This contains all the commands for Color Editor.
Open (Ctrl+O) Click File, then Open to select a design. Figure CE-3 Open This displays the “Open” window along with your default folder or directory setting as shown above in Figure CE-3. FigureCE-3a Click on the down arrow to the right of the “Look in” box to show the list of sub-directories on your computer as shown in Figure CE-3a. Select the folder that contains your designs.
FAQs Color Editor Main Screen Quick Start File Formats Installation Introduction 52 Amazing Box When you click on a file, the file name will appear in the field box to the right of “File name” as shown in Figure CE-3b. Figure CE-3b To the right of “Files of type” you can choose what type of embroidery format you wish to open. Figure CE-3c Multiple file formats may be selected when opening a file: GNC: GN Scalable (*.gnc) HUS: Viking DOS Customizer/ Customizer 95 (*.
Across the top of the main screen is the title bar. It will display the file name of the design you have opened. If you are working in a new file, and it has not yet been saved, it will display “Untitled” as the file name. Click the Cancel button, to cancel the “Open” command. Save (Ctrl+S) Tip Click File, then Save to save changes to an existing file. The “Save” command saves your document under the same name, replacing the previous version.
FAQs Color Editor Main Screen Quick Start File Formats Installation Introduction 54 Amazing Box Save As Click File, then Save As to name your design and save it to the desired folder. Figure CE-4 Save As The “Save As” window in Figure CE-4, functions the same way as the “Open” window. Click on the down arrow to the right of the “Save in” box to select the desired folder. Type the name of the design in “File name” as shown in figure CE-4a.
The “Save As” feature will only allow you to save the file within the same format it was opened, with the exception of GNC. If a design is opened in GNC, it can be saved in HUS, CSD, PES, SEW, JEF, PCS, XXX, EXP and DST. If the design was sent from The Amazing Box, it can only be saved back to The Amazing Box. After typing the name of the design in “File name” shown in Figure CE-4a, click the Save button and the design will be saved. Click the Cancel button, to cancel the “Save As” command.
FAQs Color Editor Main Screen Quick Start File Formats Installation Introduction 56 Amazing Box Print (Ctrl+P) Click File, then Print to print a copy of your design. Not only will the design print out, but it will also show the file name, the stitching size, the number of stitches and the number of colors. Print Preview Click File, then Print Preview to display on the screen how the printed page will appear (Figure CE-5).
Figure CE-5a On the right side of the screen (Figure CE-5a), you will notice the file name, the size of design in millimeters and inches, stitch count, number of colors and the order the colors are to be sewn out. Click the Print button to print the instruction sheet to your printer. Click the Next Page button to display the instructions from the second page. The Prev Page button will take you back to the previous page (if applicable).
FAQs Color Editor Main Screen Quick Start File Formats Installation Introduction 58 Amazing Box Figure CE-5b Click the One Page button to bring the “Print Preview” screen back to one page as shown in Figure CE-5c. Figure CE-5c Click the Zoom In button to zoom in as shown in Figure CE-5a. Click the Zoom Out button to zoom out as shown in Figure CE-5c. Click the Close button to close the “Print Preview” screen.
Click File, then Print Setup to bring up the print setup dialog box as shown in Figure CE-6. Figure CE-6 Technic al Stuff You will be able to change the type of printer, properties, paper size and orientation within print setup. Exit Tip Click File, then Exit to close Color Editor. If you have not saved your work, you will be asked to do so.
FAQs Color Editor Main Screen Quick Start File Formats Installation Introduction 60 Amazing Box VIEW Menu Toolbar Figure CE-7 (Top of Screen) Click View, then Main Toolbar to add or remove the “Main Toolbar” options from the screen. A checkmark denotes the toolbar is active. The “Toolbar” is the row of icons found at the top of the screen. As a default, they are always selected “On”.
Hoop Size Click Options, then Hoop Size to select the brand of machine and hoop size as shown in Figure CE-9. Tip Figure CE-9 The workspace grid will increase or decrease in size to show the work area available for that particular machine and hoop size. Each square of the grid equals 10 millimeters by 10 millimeters. (10mm X 10mm). The design you select must fit within the work space.
62 Density Settings Color Editor Main Screen Quick Start File Formats Installation Introduction (for GNC Designs Only) Click Options, then Density Settings to bring up the dialog box in Figure CE-10. Density Settings only work with GNC designs. Figure CE-10 In Figure CE-10 you will find two ways to adjust the density of the embroidery pattern, “Adjust stitch density” by percentage or by “Thread Weights.
Click on OK to make the appropriate changes to the design, depending on the density settings you select. Reme mber GNC format is the only format in which you can change the density. The GNC format is only found on Amazing Designs Disk Collections. Click on Cancel to close the density settings command without making any changes to your design. Preferences Click Options, then Preferences to bring up the dialog box in Figure CE-11 .
FAQs Amazing Box Figure CE-11a Figure CE-11a shows the setting for Viking/ Husqvarna machines. This option will split the design at every 12th color change. mber Reme Color Editor Main Screen Quick Start File Formats Installation Introduction 64 When a design is split, the file name will be renamed with an A, B, C etc. at the end of the file. For example; if you have a design named 16044.GNC and this design has 13 color changes in it, the file will be saved as 16044_A.HUS and 16044_B.HUS.
Figure CE-11c is the setting for Pfaff PCS. The first option will make PCS files 100% compatible Pfaff PCS. The second option will split the design at every 16th color change. Reme mber When a design is split, the file name will be renamed with an A, B, C etc. at the end of the file name. For example: you have a design named 16044.GNC and this design has 18 color changes in it, when you save it to Pfaff PCS, the file will be saved as 16044_A.PCS and 16044_B.PCS. Click OK to apply selected preferences.
FAQs Color Editor Main Screen Quick Start File Formats Installation Introduction 66 Amazing Box Tool Bars ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ This section describes how to use the three tool bars in Figure CE-12 through CE-14.
Open Icon (Ctrl+O) Click the Open icon to open a design file as discussed in the “File Menu” section. Save Icon (Ctrl+S) Click the Save icon to save changes to an existing file. The “Save” command saves your document under the same name with which it was last saved or opened, replacing the previous version. Tip When you finish using Color Editor, save your work before you close it.
FAQs Amazing Box Hoop Size Icon Click the Hoop Size icon to bring up the dialog box to select a machine and hoop size. See the “Options Menu” section for more information. Reme mber Each square of the grid equals 10 millimeters by 10 millimeters. (10mm X 10mm) The design you select must fit within this work space. Density Settings Icon Click on the Density Settings icon to adjust the density settings as discussed in the “Options Menu” section.
Figure CE-15 The “Color Bar” enables you to change the colors of the design on the screen. Reme mber The “Color Bar” will only show the number of boxes that have color changes within a design. Figure CE-16 After clicking on one of the boxes shown in Figure CE-15 the “Select Color” box will appear as shown in Figure CE-16. Figure CE-16a By clicking on the color you wish to change, the name of the color will appear in the “New Color / Change To” box as shown in Figure CE-16a.
FAQs Amazing Box Figure CE-16b There are five color palettes available to select colors. Default = 64 colors Baby Lock/Bernina/Brother= 64 colors Husqvarna/Viking = 29 colors Elna/Janome/New Home = 78 colors Pfaff = 16 colors Click on OK to change the selected color to its new color. Click on Cancel to close the color select function without changes.
Figure CE-17 The “Status Bar” provides information about four important items. 1. Size 2. Position from center. 3. Stitch Count 4. Number of Colors Figure CE-17a “Sz:” displays the size of the designs placed on the work space. Figure CE-17b “Pos:” displays the position of the designs placed on the work space relative to the center. Figure CE-17c “St:” displays the stitch count of the designs placed on the work space.
FAQs Color Editor Main Screen Quick Start File Formats Installation Introduction 72 Amazing Box
Frequently Asked Questions ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
FAQs Color Editor Main Screen Quick Start File Formats Installation Introduction 74 Amazing Box Frequently Asked Questions Question: Answer: What is a design transfer system? It is a memory card writing system that takes designs from your hard drive, floppy drive or CD and writes them to a memory card to fit your embroidery machine.
What does digitized mean? This is the term for a stitch file. It means that the clip art or picture now has stitches to it. Question: Answer: What does “single sewing field” refer to? Each embroidery machine has a maximum area that may be embroidered at one time. This would be considered the machine’s single sewing field. For example, the Simplicity SE3 or Brother PE150 both have a 100x100mm or 4x4” single sewing field. You should be able to find this information in your machine’s instruction manual.
FAQs Color Editor Main Screen Quick Start File Formats Installation Introduction 76 Amazing Box Question: Answer: Question: Answer: How do I keep my Amazing Box Software up-to-date? The Amazing Designs website (http://www.amazingdesigns.com) will post periodic software updates for download. To see which version of the software you have installed, click “Help” on the menu bar and select “About.
Answer: Why does the design save to more than one file? Some manufacturers have color or stitch limitations for each file. If your machine requires limits, this software will split your designs into two or more files. Ex. Pfaff (PCS) can only read 16 colors per design file. If the design has more than 16 color changes it will be split into two files ‘a’ and ‘b’ when writing to the PCS writable card. Both files must be stitched to complete the design.
FAQs Color Editor Main Screen Quick Start File Formats Installation Introduction 78 Amazing Box
