Table of Contents
Index to X-Stitch for Windows Help

Note: This is a demonstration version. To purchase the program, select the "Purchasing the Program" topic below.

   Converting Old Patterns

   Custom Colors

   Display Colors

   DMC Colors

   Drawing and Deleting Stitches

   Fabric

   Fabric Stitch Count

   Importing a Graphics Image

   Palette

   Printing

   Purchasing the Program

   Text

   Tools

   Stitch Types

   Symbols

   Views


Symbols

 Patterns are often printed in black and white using different symbols for each different color and stitch type. X-Stitch for Windows can display patterns on screen this way, in addition to showing the actual stitches in color.

Symbols are taken from the Wingdings font included with Windows. For a sample of all of the characters included in this font, use the Character Map accessory included with Windows. This accessory also lists how to generate each symbol from the keyboard.

Whenever you add a color to the palette, X-Stitch for Windows automatically assigns a symbol for cross stitches. You can manually change this symbol or add symbols for the other stitch types using the File/Palette menu.


Display Colors

Stitch colors can be selected from any of the 360 standard DMC colors, or from a palette of over 16 million custom colors.

However, your video display may not be able to display all of these different colors. In particular, if your computer is set in 16 color mode, all 16 colors are already predefined by Windows. Check your computer manuals to see if you can select a 256 color mode instead.

If only 16 colors are available, X-Stitch for Windows will attempt to simulate the stitch colors by dithering (blending) two other colors.

Because of variations in colors produced on various computer monitors, the colors you see on screen may not exactly match the actual DMC colors. You should always consult actual floss samples for accurate color matching.


Stitch Types

Eight different stitch types are supported in X-Stitch for Windows.

Full cross stitch. This is the basic stitch used in most patterns.

Left half stitch.

Right half stitch.

Three quarter stitches (4 directions).

French knot or other specialty stitch.

Each of these eight stitch types has its own symbol.

In addition to these stitch types, X-Stitch for Windows also supports free back stitching. Back stitches are straight stitches of any length in any direction. They are often used to outline areas of a pattern. Back stitches do not have symbols. They are drawn as solid lines on screen and on the printed pattern. There is a limit of 5000 backstitches in one pattern.

The current stitch type is shown in the lower left corner of the window. Change stitch types by clicking on this icon, or using the Stitches menu.


Fabric

The fabric is white by default. The color may be changed to any custom color using the File/Palette menu. The fabric may not be set to DMC colors, but it may be set to an equivalent custom color.

The fabric size is set using the File/Pattern menu. The maximum size allowed is 640x640 stitches.


Palette

Up to 256 different colors may be used in a pattern. Colors may be added, changed, or removed using the File/Palette menu option.

The currently selected stitching color is shown in the lower left corner of the window. To change the selected color, click on this color box.

If you delete a color from the palette, any stitches of that color will also be deleted. Two colors can be combined by changing the name of one to match the name of the other.

Color names may be up to 31 characters long.


Views

The pattern can be viewed on screen in one of three ways:

Stitches - actual stitches are drawn on screen.

Squares - squares of color are drawn at each stitch location.

Symbols- symbols are drawn at each stitch location, similar to the appearance of a printed pattern. Symbols are shown in black and white, because many video systems cannot do color symbols with accurate colors.

The different views are selected using the Views menu.

If you find that View/Stitches results in slow screen drawing on your computer, try using View Squares or  instead, which are usually faster.


Importing a Graphics Image

Graphics images may be brought into a pattern using the Windows clipboard. Copy the graphics image into the clipboard using any graphics program such as Windows Paintbrush. Then Paste the image into the pattern using the Edit/Paste menu.

 Colors will be added to your palette for each color in the graphics image. If you palette has too many colors already or if the pasted image has too many colors, some colors may be combined.

 Each pixel in a graphics image is converted into a full cross stitch. Often this results in a pattern which is too large. If necessary, reduce the image or scan it at a lower resolution before pasting it into X-Stitch for Windows. There is no way to shrink the pattern once it is pasted into X-Stitch for Windows.

The background color of the bitmap is converted to stitches, so that your entire fabric will be covered with stitches. You will generally want to delete this background color from the palette so that the fabric will show through.

X-Stitch for Windows is not able to assign meaningful names to the colors you paste. Instead they are simply numbered. You will probably want to go to the File/Palette menu and replace each color with a DMC color of your choice.


Drawing and Deleting Stitches

You must have a palette before you can draw stitches. Choose a palette with the File/Palette menu.

To draw a stitch, clicking the mouse on the fabric. One stitch of the selected stitch type and color will be placed at that location. The currently selected type and color are shown in the lower left corner of the window.

To draw repeated stitches, hold down the mouse button and move the mouse. A stitch will be placed everywhere the mouse touches.

To delete a stitch, click on it. To delete the most recent stitch, press the Delete or Backspace keys.

To draw a back stitch, press the mouse button at the desired starting location. Hold the button down and drag to the desired ending location. The stitch will be shown on the screen as you draw.

To delete a back stitch, click on it. You must be in back stitching mode to delete back stitches. The Delete and Backspace keys also delete the most recent backstitch, regardless of the stitching mode.


Tools

Prior to using a tool, you must select a region of the pattern. Use the Edit/Select menu option to select a rectangular region of the pattern.

The following tools can be used:

Flip - flip the selected region either horizontally or vertically.

Rotate - rotate the selected square region by 90 degrees, either clockwise or counterclockwise. Only square regions can be rotated. To select a square region, hold down the Shift key while dragging the mouse.

Copy - copy the selected region. It can then be pasted in another location on the pattern.

Cut - Cut (delete) the selected region from the pattern. Cut regions can also be pasted to another region of the pattern if desired.

To mirror image a pattern, copy it, paste a new copy beside it, and then flip the pasted image horizontally.


DMC Colors

The DMC Corporation is a major producer of embroidery floss. They manufacture 360 standard solid colors.

X-Stitch for Windows has these 360 standard colors built in. These colors can be selected by number and included in your palette.

DMC also sells a Stitcher's Color Guide which contains samples of all 360 colors, in order by color family. The DMC color selection box in X-Stitch for Windows shows the DMC colors in the same order. They are not in numerical order.

If you do not have a Stitcher's Color Guide and wish to find a DMC color, set the Custom Color box to the desired color and press the Nearest button. The DMC color list will move to highlight the DMC color closest to your custom color.

Depending on your computer's capabilities, your screen may not be able to display DMC and custom colors exactly.


Custom Colors

In addition to the 360 standard DMC colors, X-Stitch for Windows also allows you to select custom colors from a palette of over 16 million.

These colors are selected by choosing values of Red, Green, and Blue. These three colors are mixed on the screen to produce all the other colors. Values range from zero (darkest) to 255 (lightest). Below are some sample color combinations to illustrate the color mixing:

Color	Red	Green	Blue

Black	0	0	0

Red	255	0	0

Yellow	255	255	0

Brown	90	45	0

Purple	130	0	130

Gray	130	130	130

White	255	255	255

Depending on your computer's capabilities, your screen may not be able to display DMC and custom colors exactly.

See Also: Display Colors


Registration
To Purchase This Program

This demonstration version of X-Stitch for Windows is distributed as shareware. It is not public domain and it is not free. This means that you may freely copy this program and run it for evaluation purposes only. After a reasonable evaluation period, you must either purchase the program or stop using the program.

In particular, you may not use this program for profit (such as selling patterns produced with it) unless you are a registered user.

This demonstration version is fully functioning so that you may evaluate the program completely before purchase. However, it is illegal to use it for more than evaluation purposes.

To purchase the program and become a registered user, press the button below to print a purchase order, see the file ORDER.DOC, or send US $39 + $4 P/H to:

Pilgrim Works

P.O. Box 16615

Greenville, SC 29606

U.S.A.

(Pilgrim Works was formerly Software Solutions)

Registered users receive a copy of the program without the "Demonstration Version" announcement. They also receive a printed manual.

To print a purchase order, press this button to show a purchase order and then select File/Print:


Purchase Order
X-Stitch for Windows Purchase Order

Remit to:

Pilgrim Works

P.O. Box 16615

Greenville, SC 29606

Enclosed is:

___ $39.00 New user registration fee for X-Stitch for Windows Version 2.

___ $19.00 Upgrade for registered users of X-Stitch or X-Stitch Pro for DOS.

plus $4.00 Postage and Handling

Total Enclosed: _____________

In return, you will receive the latest update of X-Stitch for Windows, a printed instruction manual, and rights to use the program.

Name:	_________________________________________

Company:	______________________________________

Address:	______________________________________

______________________________________

______________________________________

How did you hear about X-Stitch for Windows? _____________________________________

(Prices as of 1996, subject to change without notice)


Netherlands Purchase Order
X-Stitch for Windows Purchase Order

Remit to:

CSD - Computer Solutions Dorth

t.a.v. Registratie-afdeling

Postbus 59

NL-7213 ZH GORSSEL

The Neatherlands

Phone: +31.575.494.545

Fax: +31.575.491.222

Compuserve: 100117,3555

E-mail: CSD_NL at 100117.3555@compuserve.com

Enclosed is:

___ Dfl. 82,50 New user registration fee for X-STITCH for Windows version 2.

___ Dfl. 7,50 Shipping and handling

Total Enclosed: ________par

In return, you will receive the latest update of X-Stitch for Windows, a printed instruction manual, and rights to use the program.

Name:	_________________________________________

Company:	______________________________________

Address:	______________________________________

______________________________________

______________________________________

How did you hear about X-Stitch for Windows? _____________________________________

(Prices as of 1996, subject to change without notice)


UK Purchase Order
X-Stitch for Windows Purchase Order

Remit to:

The Thompson Partnership

Lion Buildings

Market Place

UTTOXETER,

Staffs

ST14 8HZ

Telephone +44 (0) 1889 564601

Fax + 44 (0) 1889 563219

CIS 70007,5560

e-mail sales@ttp.co.uk

Enclosed is:

___ £ 25.95 New user registration fee for X-Stitch for Windows Version 2.

___ £ 4.54  VAT (EU Customers only)

___ £ 3.00 Shipping

Total Enclosed: _____________

Payment Method:

 [ ] Cheque, Drawn on a UK Bank payable to 'The Thompson Partnership' in Sterling

            [ ] Visa,           [ ] Master Card,         [ ] American Express

Credit Card number:_________________________________________________

Expiration:____/____   Signature:______________________________________

In return, you will receive the latest update of X-Stitch for Windows, a printed instruction manual, and rights to use the program.

Name:	_________________________________________

Company:	______________________________________

Address:	______________________________________

______________________________________

______________________________________

How did you hear about X-Stitch for Windows? _____________________________________

(Prices as of 1996, subject to change without notice)


Fabric Stitch Count

Fabric stitch count is the number of threads per inch of fabric. Since each cross stitch covers one fabric thread, this is also the number of stitches per inch.

You can specify a fabric stitch count with the File/Pattern menu option. Stitch counts can be in the range 2-24.

Stitch counts higher than 15 are difficult to read on most computer monitors. You may need to set the stitch count to a lower value for readability.

Many printers cannot legibly print the larger stitch counts either. A separate printing stitch count may be selected at printing time.


Printing

For black and white printers, printing is always in symbol mode.

For printers capable of color, printing may be done in color in any of the three view modes or in black and white symbol mode.

Many printers cannot print small stitch sizes legibly. You may need to select a print size larger than the actual stitch size for readability. In addition, many color printers can print legible black and white symbols much smaller than color symbols. You may need to experiment with several different settings to determine the best setting for your printer.

Color patterns may not photocopy well. If you intend to photocopy your pattern, you might need to print in black and white.

Many color printers have difficulty printing symbols in color. For most of these printers, black and white symbols or color bars are the best modes.

White and near-white stitches will not show up on the printouts if color printing modes are used. To see these stitches, you should leave the color name "white" but change the color to a light gray or black, which will be visible on the printout.


Converting Old Patterns

If you have old patterns created with the DOS versionsof X-Stitch, this program will not be able to read them until they are converted into a new format.

The conversion is done by a separate program which is included when you purchase X-Stitch for Windows.


Undo

Pressing the Delete or the Backspace keys will delete the most recently drawn stitch. Not other form of undo is available.


Text

There is no built-in provision for entering text into patterns. However, the ability to paste bitmaps from the clipboard means that you can use any paint program, such as Windows Paintbrush, to create an image of text using any Windows font, and then paste that image into your pattern.


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