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Simply You probably have been wanting into completely different embroidery digitizing software program, you will have skilled an enormous of sticker shock. A number of the higher-end, skilled stage embroidery digitizing packages are EXPENSIVE. Whereas some are inexpensive and appropriate for inexperienced persons (comparable to SewArt), and plenty of of them supply free trials, I’ve by no means encountered any instrument that creates embroidery recordsdata without spending a dime. That’s, till I found Ink/Sew.
What’s Ink/Sew?
Ink/Sew is a plugin for a Inkscape, a free vector-based illustration program.
What’s Inkscape?
Inkscape is most akin to the skilled stage illustration program, Adobe Illustrator. It’s fairly highly effective and versatile, particularly in mild of the truth that it’s 100% free, open-source and runs natively on MACs, PCs and even Linux machines.
Fascinated by studying extra about Inkscape? Take a look at my course on Inkscape: Inkscape Categorical!
Is Ink/Sew free?
Sure. Similar to Inkscape, Ink/Sew is free and open supply. Clearly you already know what free means. However open supply means that you would be able to really go in and edit this system’s code.
So why would you care about vector-based graphics?
Vector-based graphics are completely different from pictures discovered on the internet like JPGs, GIFs and PNG recordsdata. Internet graphics are pixel-based (or bitmap or raster) graphics.
Pixel-based graphics are comprised of pixels. When you zoom in on one, you’ll ultimately see particular person pixels that, together, create a picture.
Vector-based graphics are completely different as a result of they’re saved as a collection of instructions to allow them to be recreated at any dimension and can by no means look pixelated.
Some great benefits of changing vector based mostly graphics into embroidery designs
As a result of vector-based graphics have exactly outlined shapes (and will not be simply comprised of various coloured pixels), they’re A LOT simpler to transform to embroidery designs than their pixel-based counterparts.
For extra particulars on precisely how vector-based graphics behave otherwise from pixel-based graphics, see my submit on the right way to convert SVG recordsdata to embroidery designs three other ways. Or, please see my earlier submit on how I transformed a vector-based brand into an embroidery design utilizing SewArt.
As a result of vector-based graphics present such a clear foundation for an embroidery design, it is smart that somebody would invent a software program that mixes a vector-based drawing program with embroidery file format exporting capabilities.
The best way to use Ink/Sew
Putting in Inkscape
Earlier than you can begin utilizing Ink/Sew, it’s essential set up Inkscape. Bear in mind – Ink/Sew is simply the plug-in for Inkscape, so it’s essential get that first. Thankfully, Inkscape is simple to put in – no completely different than putting in some other program.
Putting in Ink/Sew
Ink/Sew has a separate installer that you will need to obtain and set up after you put in Inkscape. You should definitely stop Inkscape previous to putting in Ink/Sew. After you have put in each packages, begin up Inkscape. Beneath the Extensions menu, you will note Ink/Sew.
Understand that this program won’t run by itself. It’s essential to have Inkscape so as to make it work.
Making a vector graphic in Inkscape
As a result of Ink/Sew is a plugin for Inkscape (a vector-based drawing program), you will need to first create your artwork as a vector-based graphic. This may be a bit daunting if you already know nothing about creating vector-based graphics. However, you’ll be able to be taught rapidly in the event you mess around with a few of the drawing instruments in this system. For instance, in the event you drag and drop the rectangle instrument, you’ll be able to simply create an oblong form. Then you’ll be able to create extra complicated shapes by performing Boolean operations between these two shapes.
Earlier than you’ll be able to convert your vector graphic to an embroidery file, you will need to first convert it to a path. Choose the graphic after which go to the Path menu and choose “Object to Path.”
Changing the vector graphic to an embroidery file
After you have created your required vector form saved as a Path, then you’ll be able to convert it into an embroidery design. The entire performance you will want to create this embroidery file are positioned below the Extensions menu after which “Ink/Sew.”
With the vector-based object chosen, select the Params possibility below Extensions then Ink/Sew. The menus that seem can help you specify what sort of sewing you want to use to characterize your object. Within the instance under, you’ll be able to see that I selected a fill sew with a forty five diploma sew angle with 1.5 mm lengthy stitches. I additionally added an underlay to make sure sufficient protection of the stitching on the material when you sew it out.
When you enter settings that you simply suppose you would possibly need to use once more, it can save you them as a preset. This can make it simpler to rapidly apply these settings to a different object.
After you apply your required settings to the thing, then you’ll be able to export your embroidery design. You do that by choosing the Embroider possibility from the Inkstitch menu beneath the Extensions menu. On this dialog field you’ll be able to choose your required embroidery file format.
Load embroidery file format onto your embroidery machine
After you generate your embroidery file, you’ll be able to load it onto an embroidery machine and sew it out. By no means transferred an embroidery file onto an embroidery machine? Find out how.
Don’t despair if you cannot save your embroidery file right into a format that your embroidery machine reads. You’ll be able to simply convert your embroidery file from one format to a different utilizing free or very cheap software program.
Further capabilities of Inkscape and Ink/Sew
With Ink/Sew, you’ll be able to actually convert a couple of vector form into completely different embroidery areas. It’s also possible to generate several types of embroidery recordsdata aside from fill sew areas.
Appliqué recordsdata
As a substitute of producing easy fill areas, you may also create appliqué designs in Ink/Sew. So long as you will get the thing right into a vector based mostly format, you’ll be able to specify whether or not you need the form to be stitched as a fill or as an overview. And, a collection of define recordsdata is all it’s essential create an appliqué design.
Lettering
Inkstitch has the power to create embroidery recordsdata from letters. Whereas the font selections in Ink/Sew are fairly restricted, you’ll be able to nonetheless generate phrases and phrases in a short time after which save them as embroidery recordsdata.
Different file codecs
If creating vector-based objects will not be your jam, you’ll be able to all the time import pre-existing vector-based graphics into Inkscape and construct your design from there. Inkscape will learn widespread vector-based file codecs comparable to EPS, PDF, SVG and even AI recordsdata. You’ll be able to even import pixel-based graphics and covert them to vector recordsdata in Inkscape.
Ink/Sew tutorials
There are a couple of Youtube tutorials that you would be able to entry by way of the Ink/Sew web site.
Take a look at my different submit the place I convert {a photograph} into an embroidery design utilizing Ink/Sew.
Prepared to offer it a attempt?
There’s actually rather a lot to discover in Ink/Sew, however you’ll be able to solely be taught by downloading this system and giving it a attempt. Take a look at the Inkscape web site had been you’ll be able to obtain the Inkscape program.
Then, go to the Ink/Sew web site to obtain the embroidery extensions.
P.S. Interested in different free embroidery software program?
Imagine it or not, Ink/Sew will not be the one free embroidery software program obtainable. There are fairly a couple of others with differing performance.
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