How can I split designs by stitch count?
Using embroidery software, you can split designs by stitch count. This is useful when you are working with a design that has more stitches than an embroidery card can hold, or more stitches than your machine allows. We'll demonstrate this process by using Buzz Catalog (available at www.BuzzTools.com) and Embird (available at www.Embird.com). Free trial versions of both forms of embroidery software are available at those websites. First we'll demonstrate splitting by stitch count with Buzz Catalog.
Begin with the design in a different format than the one you normally use. Usually this is the DST format; for SEW or PES format users, the JEF format is a good choice. (Special note: Once you have purchased a design, you can change the format in your order history and download a new format at no charge. Click here for those instructions.)
To convert to your format, click 'Tools' on the top toolbar. Choose your format from the 'Convert Design Files' drop-down box. Then, click 'Next.'
The next prompt has a section that asks if you'd like to split the design into multiple files. Click yes, then click on the "Advanced" button.
Click the "split if stitches exceed" box, and type in the stitch that you want the design to be split at. Check the "back up to last thread change box." That will ensure that the design won't be split in the middle of a color change. Click 'OK'.
Click 'OK' again, and then 'Finish.' Two or more files will result. Each file will have equal or fewer stitches to the number that you typed into the box. Each file will be designed with a part A, B, etc.
Sew part A, and then load and sew part B. Continue until the design is sewn completely.
Next we'll demonstrate how to split a design by stitch count using Embird (available from www.Embird.com)
Open the design in Embird, and go into Editor mode. When using this software, it is not necessary to begin in a different format than the one you normally use.
Click on "Edit" and then "Auto-Split."
Type in the number of stitches that you'd like in each section of the file.
Look on the upper right corner of the screen, and you'll see that there are now multiple sets of color tiles -- one for each piece of the file. Left click once on the top group of tiles, and you'll see a black line form around the box. That means that is the "active" file.
Click "file" and "save selected as."
Select the format, and make sure that the "center in hoop" box is not checked.
Name the file something to indicate that it is part a to differentiate the split file from the complete file. Click "save."
Left click on the second part of the split so that the black box is around that section.
Select the format, and make sure that the "center in hoop" box is not checked. Save the design with a "B" or other indication that it is the second part of the file. Repeat this for each split piece of the design.