| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| whatsosticky |
Posted - 01/05/2015 : 19:54:11
I don't understand at all what values to need to be set to what "properties" when you first load the program; I see where Diane is always posting about "tweaking" and I have no idea what that means or even what I do to know I'm doing it. I can basically upload the pic and select the number of colors, but as far as 1 to 1 settings and everything, I just don't know and I am so frustrated. I can't understand why they would put out a program without instructions. I'm sorry to seem angry, I just hate feeling so impotent and lost. Why can't I get this? I hope someone is willing to take the time to write a somewhat step by step explanation or tutorial on how to run this because it seems to be complete greek to me. Please help....I really don't want to find that I spent money on something I can't use. Thanks everyone, I really appreciate it!!
It's not the hours it takes to get it done, it's the hours of love that make it loved. |
| 4 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| whatsosticky |
Posted - 01/07/2015 : 12:08:59
thank you again for your reply. I think I have a small handle on it now. time to experiment!
It's not the hours it takes to get it done, it's the hours of love that make it loved. |
| Dragonlair |
Posted - 01/06/2015 : 12:54:30
OK, a few concrete questions are a lot better than a general plea for help.
To get a 1-1 ration of pixel to stitches you start backwards. You first decide what size of a pattern you want and what size fabric. For example. If you wish to make an 8 X 10 design using 18 count Aida then you will have a stitch count of 8 * 18 by 10 * 18 or 144 X 180 stitches. That is the size of the image you want (or as close as you can get). You need to use external software, such as Paint or Irfanview (free) to edit the size of your image to try to get to those dimensions in pixels. The image will appear very very small to your eyes but it's best for the conversion.
A "confetti stitch" is one stitch in a color with no other stitches of that color anywhere around. It's even worse when there are NO stitches around. It appears as if someone took some confetti and threw it at the pattern. That's where the name comes from. Unless you are out for a "speckled" or "sparkly" image, they can easily be just changed to another color. All you have to do is have the software in a mode that you click left to set stitches. Select the color you want that odd stitch to be and then click on it. It changes to the color you want (usually one of the colors next to it). There is one less confetti stitch!
Dark or light, isn't the problem when selecting the image that you want to turn into a pattern. What is more important is the background. It should be simple. A simple coffee table should be fine. It would probably have a wood-grain which would work fine as a background. The contrast of dark clothing, hair and pale skin may not be an extremely low color content but reasonable. Also, during the tweaking portion, you may find that some of the colors chosen are not used at all and can be eliminated. I have done that myself.
Where backstitching comes in handy in some of these patterns is where there is a distinct break, such as between an arm and clothing. The import may have the edge more blurred and with the colors involved, not easily seen as the difference between the two. A line of backstitching (maybe in the color of the clothing) can make that break clearer and make the entire pattern better.
Also, backstitching in faces, such as around the eyes, as well as highlights in the eyes, can bring them out and make them the focus of the design.
I find one of the best things to use is the "view" option where you can view just as blocks of colors and special stitches, the pattern as it currently exist. Have the original image available as well and try to view the two side-by-side. That will allow you to see easily where you might want to make more changes in colors or actual stitches (such as for contours).
Remember one main point -- there is not true right or wrong in anything you do. It is your pattern and you make it the way that you want it to be. If you decide later that you don't even want the color of the clothing to be the same, you can change that. It's not right, it's not wrong, it's ART! It's YOU!
Diane
There is no such thing as a stupid question
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| whatsosticky |
Posted - 01/06/2015 : 08:42:56
Diane, I really appreciate your reply. There are still things I'm not quite understanding that you mentioned, or what they are.
Where do I enter the 1 to 1 ratio? what are confetti stitches, how do I select and change them individually and what kinds of things make for a simple image? The one I have originally selected is one of my daughter laying on a coffee table on her back, looking up at me. It's largely darker colors (her hair is a dark red, wearing a black shirt and her face and arms are pale.) I figured this could easily be a low color requirement and most conducive to a better manipulated picture. And what things, other than learning about backstitches make for a clearer picture? I am disabled so I have a looooooooooooooot of time to mess with it. I just don't know where to go with it!
Thank you again for taking the time to answer. I'm almost a little more comfortable about looking at it. Thanks so much for the help!
It's not the hours it takes to get it done, it's the hours of love that make it loved. |
| Dragonlair |
Posted - 01/05/2015 : 21:07:34
There are basic instructions on how to import an image. From that point, it's more of an art than anything else in taking that import and making a useful and beautiful pattern from it.
From the first, you need to understand that what you see and what the computer sees can be very very different. It sees the colors as some code and you actually see the colors. The reason for the 1/1 ration of pixels to stitches is to ease some of that difference.
If you have a higher pixel to stitch ratio, then the computer has to read several pixels in the image and determine ONE single color. Depending on where that stitch is to be, you could have several very very different colors right together (such as a border) and it's not likely that the final chosen color really matches the pattern. If it's only 1 pixel to one stitch, then there is a far more likely chance of getting the color you want since the computer is just looking at one pixel and it doesn't have to blend or decide what is right. It just chooses the best color from the palette you have selected for that pixel. That does not mean the color is what you would have chosen.
That's the basic theory.
As in most crafts and artistic endeavors, what is the best palette and other parameters to use are a personal decision that is based on your image and what you are trying to achieve. It's almost impossible to really come up with a full help system for something like this. It's got to be trial and error to get what you want. With more trial, there is less error.
The tweaking stage is where you adjust what the computer gave you as a base pattern and you turn it into your masterpiece.
If you look at it and compare it with your original image, you will see things that are different. That's the nature of the product and the fact that it sees things differently than you do.
If you see a block in one area that flat seems to be the wrong color, than choose a color that in your highly respected opinion is better and change it. You can change just that area or change all of that odd color. That is tweaking.
If you decide what you had as a border in the original pattern would work better as backstitching, you can change all the colors near that border to what you want (and smooth out any odd curves and blockiness) and add backstitches.
you can also add fractional stitches. If you want some of the background to be "softer", you can change the full stitches to half-stitches.
One thing you can almost guarantee to need to do is to remove confetti stitches. Converting always creates odd single stitches here and there with no other stitches of that color anywhere nearby. In virtually every case, they can be removed by just changing them to a color that is next to it. It makes the pattern smoother looking and much easier to stitch. I don't know of any stitcher who likes confetti stitches!
All of these changes are in the realm of "tweaking". Tweaking is, by definition, the art of changing the raw design you are given to the pattern you want it to be.
Always remember that the import of a pattern into PCStitch to convert it to a pattern is only the first step. The mistake many people make and the reason they are dissatisfied with the results is the fact that they think that is the ONLY step.
Many "professional" conversion companies do only that one step. Personally, I think the results are terrible.
The key -- is to try a few simple images to get a feel for it. Just relax and enjoy -- play with the options. That's the key to really learn any software. Play with it! The more you play, the more comfortable you are with it. Don't be afraid to click. The worst that will happen is you'll have to start over with that design. You can't hurt the program!
Diane
There is no such thing as a stupid question
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