Brother PE-DESIGN PLUS Operation Manual

Personal embroidery design software system
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PERSONAL EMBROIDERY DESIGN SOFTWARE SYSTEM
Operation Manual
Please visit us at http://solutions.brother.com where you can get product
support and answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs).

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Summary of Contents for Brother PE-DESIGN PLUS

  • Page 1 PERSONAL EMBROIDERY DESIGN SOFTWARE SYSTEM Operation Manual Please visit us at http://solutions.brother.com where you can get product support and answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs).
  • Page 2 IMPORTANT INFORMATION: REGULATIONS Federal Communications Commissions (FCC) Declaration of Conformity (For USA Only) Responsible Party: Brother International Corporation 100 Somerset Corporate Boulevard Bridgewater, NJ 08807-0911 USA declares that the product Product Name: Brother USB Writer Model Number: PE-Design complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
  • Page 3 Read the following before opening the CD-ROM package Thank you for purchasing this software. Before opening the CD-ROM package for this software, carefully read the following Product Agreement, which has been provided for this product. Use this software only if you agree to the terms of this agreement.
  • Page 4 Congratulations on choosing our product! Thank you very much for purchasing our product. To obtain the best performance from this unit and to ensure safe and correct operation, please read this Operation Manual carefully, and then keep it in a safe place together with your warranty. Please read before using this product For designing beautiful embroidery designs •...
  • Page 5: Table Of Contents

    Table of Contents Before Use........4 Supplement ........61 Before Use ..........4 Understanding Windows ...... 61 Introduction ........... 4 PE-DESIGN PLUS Window ......61 Installation............. 5 Menus ............65 Tips and Techniques......67 Creating Embroidery Patterns..10 Sewing Direction .........67 Sewing Order ..........67 Getting Started ........10 Sewing Wide Areas........67 Starting Up Application .......
  • Page 6: Before Use

    Before Use Before Use Introduction Package Contents Check that the following items are included. If anything is missing or damaged, contact your authorized dealer or Brother Customer Service. USB Card Writer Module CD-ROM Original card Operation Manual Contains the software and Operation Manual (PDF format).
  • Page 7: Installation

    Before Use Installation Please Read Before Installation ● Before beginning the installation, check that the computer meets the system requirements. ● In order to install the software on Windows ® Operating System, you must log on to the computer using an account with administrator privileges.
  • Page 8: Installing The Software

    Before Use ■ ® Windows XP users only Installing the Software  After a short while, the language selection dialog box for InstallShield Wizard automatically appears. Continue with step on page 7. This section describes how to install the application software.
  • Page 9 Before Use Click Run setup.exe. Check the installation location, and then click Next.  The User Account Control dialog box appears. Click Yes.  After a short while, the following dialog box automatically appears. Memo: Select the desired language, and then click To install the application into a different folder: 1) Click Change.
  • Page 10: Checking For The Latest Version Of The Program

    Before Use Click Finish to complete the installation of the Checking for the Latest software. Version of the Program Click in PE-DESIGN PLUS, then Check for Updates. The software is checked to determine whether or not it is the latest version. If the message shown below appears, the latest version of the software is being used.
  • Page 11: Technical Support

    Before Use Technical Support Uninstallation Contact Technical Support if you have a problem. Click the button in the task bar, and then Please check the company web site click Control Panel. (http://www.brother.com/) to find the technical Support in your area. To view the FAQ and In the Control Panel window, select information for software updates, visit the Brother Programs and Features.
  • Page 12: Creating Embroidery Patterns

    Getting Started Creating Embroidery Patterns Starting Up Application Starting up PE-DESIGN About the Top Wizard PLUS When PE-DESIGN PLUS starts up, the following Click , then All Programs, then PE-DESIGN wizard appears. PLUS, and then click PE-DESIGN PLUS. (1) New Click this button to begin creating a new pattern.
  • Page 13: Creating Embroidery Patterns From Photos (Photo Stitch 1)

    Creating Embroidery Patterns Creating Embroidery Patterns From Photos (Photo Stitch 1) The sample file for this tutorial can be found at the following location. Documents (My Documents)\PE-DESIGN PLUS\Tutorial Step 1 Using the Photo Stitch 1 function to create an embroidery pattern from an image Step 2 Changing color of the circle Step 3...
  • Page 14 Creating Embroidery Patterns Adjust the size and position of the image. Memo: 1 indicates the Design Page. Creating beautiful photo embroidery • Move the pointer over a handle, and then, • The following types of photos are not while holding down the key and the Shift appropriate for creating embroidery...
  • Page 15 Creating Embroidery Patterns Select one of the candidates (1) and click OK. Step 2 Changing color of the circle In the Sewing Order pane, move the scroll bar until circle pattern (1) appears, and then click  This preview changes to the selected image.
  • Page 16 Creating Embroidery Patterns Click the Text Attributes tab, and then set Step 3 Adding text and setting Character Spacing (1) to 3.0 mm. character spacing Click , then Click below the girl in the Design Page.  A vertical dashed line will appear on the Design Page.
  • Page 17 Creating Embroidery Patterns From the Category selector, select Floral. Move the pointer over , and then, while holding down the left mouse button, drag the mouse to adjust the size, position or curve of the text. Move the pointer over the rose, and then, while holding down the left mouse button, drag the mouse to import the pattern into the : Adjusts the text size.
  • Page 18 Creating Embroidery Patterns Move the pointer over the rotation handle (1), Step 6 Transferring embroidery patterns and then, while holding down the left mouse to embroidery machines button, drag the mouse to adjust the angle of the pattern. You can sew a pattern transferred to your sewing machine by writing it to media.
  • Page 19 Creating Embroidery Patterns ■ Transferring data to embroidery Click OK. machines via a USB media Plug the USB media into the computer. Click , then then , then Note: • When writing to an original card that already contains data, all data on the card will be deleted.
  • Page 20: Saving

    Creating Embroidery Patterns Saving Select the drive and the folder, and then type in the file name. Overwriting Click 1, then 2. Click Save to save the data.  The new file name appears in the title bar of the PE-DESIGN PLUS window. Exporting Memo: If no file name has been specified or if the file...
  • Page 21: Exiting Application

    Creating Embroidery Patterns Select the drive and the folder, and then type Photo Stitch 1 Parameters in the file name. dialog box With Color, Sepia or Gray: Select a format (.dst, .hus, .exp, .pcs, .vip, .sew, .jef, .csd, .xxx, or .shv) that the file will be exported as.
  • Page 22 Creating Embroidery Patterns (1) Sewing Option Color/Sepia/Gray/Mono The top slider is used to adjust the Selecting a setting closer to Fine Brightness / brightness. creates more details in the pattern and Detail Contrast The bottom slider is used to adjust the increases the number of stitches.
  • Page 23: Image To Stitch

    Image To Stitch Photo Stitch 2 We will create an embroidery pattern with Photo Stitch 2 in a method different than that used with Photo Stitch 1. Step 1 Starting the Photo Stitch 2 wizard Step 2 Importing photo data into PE-DESIGN PLUS Step 3 Applying an image mask and adjusting its size and position Step 4...
  • Page 24 Creating Embroidery Patterns Step 3 Applying an image mask Step 4 Changing the sewing angle and adjusting its size and position In the Direction box, type “45”. Click 1 to select the circle mask. Click Update Preview. Drag handle 2 to adjust the size of the mask, and drag the mask to adjust its position.
  • Page 25: Photo Stitch 2

    Creating Embroidery Patterns ■ Photo Stitch 2 Parameters dialog (2) Color Option Color With Color: You can select the brand of thread to Thread Chart use with the Color Set function. If Auto Select is selected, the most appropriate four colors will automatically be selected.
  • Page 26: Auto Punch

    Creating Embroidery Patterns Auto Punch In this section, we are going to use the Auto Punch function to automatically create an embroidery pattern from an image. Step 1 Starting the Auto Punch wizard Step 2 Importing image data into PE-DESIGN PLUS Step 3 Applying an image mask and adjusting its size and position Step 4...
  • Page 27 Creating Embroidery Patterns ■ Auto Punch Parameters dialog 1 indicates the Design Page. Drag the image to adjust its output location and size. Click Next. (10) (1) Result View “Set Output Size dialog box” on page 31 The resulting analyzed image appears in the image preview box on the Result Step 4 Creating a border from the...
  • Page 28 Creating Embroidery Patterns (4) Create Lines Click this button to display the Select Regions dialog box, where the areas to be converted to lines can be selected. Click the areas to be converted to lines, and then click OK. (5) Thread Chart Select the thread chart to be used.
  • Page 29: Cross Stitch

    Creating Embroidery Patterns Cross Stitch Cross Stitch embroidery patterns can be created from images. Step 1 Starting the Cross Stitch wizard Step 2 Importing image data into PE-DESIGN PLUS Click Next. Step 1 Starting the Cross Stitch wizard Click , then , then From this dialog box, an image mask can be applied and its size can be adjusted.
  • Page 30 Creating Embroidery Patterns ■ Cross Stitch Parameters dialog Click Next. (3) (2) In this dialog box, the cross size and the (1) Result View number of colors can be specified. For this Areas that will not be converted to cross- example, we will use the default settings.
  • Page 31 Creating Embroidery Patterns ■ Edit Cross Stitch dialog box (3) Editing area  For cross-stitches Click a button in (1) to select the type of stitch, Clicking a box: Adds one stitch. select a thread color in (2), and then click or ...
  • Page 32: Common Dialog Boxes

    Creating Embroidery Patterns Common dialog boxes ■ ■ Image To Stitch Wizard Select Mask dialog box The Select Mask dialog box appears no matter which conversion method was selected. When a conversion method is selected, a dialog box for selecting an image appears. (1) Drag the handles to adjust the shape of the mask.
  • Page 33 Creating Embroidery Patterns ■ Set Output Size dialog box (3) If Auto Generate was clicked, If Color, Sepia or Gray was selected for Photo selected and an outline of mask was Stitch 1, Photo Stitch 2 or Cross Stitch, or if Auto automatically detected from the image.
  • Page 34: Entering Text

    Entering Text Entering Text This section describes the procedures for entering text and arranging it in the Transform style with a fan shape. The sample file for this tutorial can be found at the following location. Documents (My Documents)\PE-DESIGN PLUS\Tutorial Step 1 Entering Text Step 2...
  • Page 35 Creating Embroidery Patterns Press the key. The text appears in the Enter Drag to transform the text. Design Page. Adjusts the text size. Memo: The character font, size, color and sew type can be changed. “Setting text attributes” on page 35 and “Embroidery attributes for text”...
  • Page 36 Creating Embroidery Patterns :Adjusts the radius of the circle. Step 3 Specifying character spacing Sets the spacing between all characters. Click the text to select it. Change the Character Spacing (1). Specify the setting by clicking the selector and typing in the value, or by clicking 0.0 mm 2.0 mm Memo:...
  • Page 37: Advanced Operations For Entering Text

    Creating Embroidery Patterns Advanced Operations for Entering Text Editing entered text Setting text attributes Text attributes can be specified with the Font First, select the Select tool. selector and Text Size selector in the Text Click , then Attributes pane. Click a single text pattern to select it.
  • Page 38 Creating Embroidery Patterns Embroidery attributes for text When text is selected, settings can be specified for the following. The Color pane allows you to set the thread color. “Color” on page 47 The Sewing Attributes pane allows you to set the embroidery attributes.
  • Page 39: Arranging Embroidery Designs

    Arranging Embroidery Designs Arranging Embroidery Designs Editing Embroidery Designs ■ Selecting all embroidery patterns Selecting patterns Click , then , then First, select the Select tool. Click , then Memo: All patterns can also be selected by pressing the shortcut keys Ctrl Click the pattern.
  • Page 40: Scaling Patterns

    Arranging Embroidery Designs Scaling patterns Note: Greatly Enlarging/Reducing Stitch Patterns Select the pattern(s). Handles If the key is held down while the stitch Ctrl Drag the handle to adjust the selected pattern is enlarged or reduced, the thread density and needle drop point pattern are pattern(s) to the desired size.
  • Page 41: Flipping Patterns Horizontally Or Vertically

    Arranging Embroidery Designs Flipping patterns Grouping/Ungrouping horizontally or vertically embroidery patterns ■ Select the pattern(s), and then click Grouping patterns Select several patterns, right-click them, and then then select Group in the pop-up menu that appears. ■ Ungrouping patterns Select a grouped embroidery pattern, right-click it, and then select Ungroup in the pop-up menu that appears.
  • Page 42: Checking Embroidery Patterns

    Arranging Embroidery Designs Checking Embroidery Patterns Zooming Using the Pan tool The part of the work area that is displayed can easily be changed by using the Pan tool. Click , then , then 1. Click , then , then drug to 1. : Zooms In : Zooms Out : Zooms to Actual Size...
  • Page 43: Solid View

    Arranging Embroidery Designs Changing the display of the Memo: embroidery design Changing realistic view settings Click , then Click , then then ■ If necessary, specify settings for Solid View Thread Width (1), Contrast (2) and Brightness (3), then click Apply (OK). ■...
  • Page 44 Arranging Embroidery Designs Checking the stitching with the Stitch Simulator Click 1, then 2. Click the buttons to view a simulation of the stitching. (1) Starts the stitching simulation. During (8) Shows the number of the color being stitching simulation, this button changes drawn/total number of colors used.
  • Page 45: Selecting A Pattern

    Arranging Embroidery Designs ■ Selecting a pattern Checking and Editing the Click a frame containing the pattern in the Sewing Order Sewing Order pane. Click , then Marching line Blue line :Click to enlarge each pattern to fill its frame. Memo: •...
  • Page 46 Arranging Embroidery Designs ■ Editing the sewing order Click the desired color in the Color pane. The sewing order can be changed by selecting the frame containing the pattern, then dragging the frame to the new location. A red line appears, indicating the position where the frame is being moved.
  • Page 47: Applying Sewing Attributes To Lines And Regions

    Arranging Embroidery Designs Applying Sewing Attributes to Lines and Regions Line sewing on: Line sewing off: Setting the sew type The Sewing Attributes pane allows you to set the embroidery attributes. Memo: The following embroidery patterns have an outline and inside region. Sewing for this line and region can be turned on or off, and their Region sew Region sew type...
  • Page 48: Specifying Sewing Attributes

    Arranging Embroidery Designs Specifying sewing Changing the pattern of attributes programmable fill stitch Select an embroidery pattern or the Text tool. Select an embroidery pattern. Click the Sewing Attributes tab. Display the Sewing Attributes pane. From the Region sew type selector, select Prog.
  • Page 49: Special Colors

    Arranging Embroidery Designs (3) From the list of thread colors, select the Setting the thread color desired color. (4) Click to switch the mode. (5) Displays all thread colors being used in The Color pane allows you to set the thread color. the embroidery design.
  • Page 50: Opening/Importing Embroidery Designs

    Arranging Embroidery Designs Opening/Importing Embroidery Designs Creating a new embroidery Memo: • To view the data in the selected folder as design thumbnails in the Browse dialog box, click Browse. Click 1, then 2. To see a more detailed design, select a file, and then click Preview.
  • Page 51 Arranging Embroidery Designs Select the file icon for the design to be Memo: imported, and then click Import, or double click the file icon. Multiple files can be opened in PE-DESIGN PLUS. In addition, data can be copied and pasted between files that are open at the Memo: same time.
  • Page 52 Arranging Embroidery Designs ■ From an embroidery card Select a folder, and then click OK. Insert an embroidery card into the USB Card Writer Module. Refer to “Transferring to a machine by using an original card” on page 52 Click , then then From the File Type box, select a file name...
  • Page 53: Checking Embroidery Design Information

    Arranging Embroidery Designs Checking embroidery design information Click 1, then 2. You can enter comments and information about the pattern to a saved .pes file. Memo: • You can select and check the properties of individual patterns within the embroidery design by selecting the pattern before opening this dialog box.
  • Page 54: Transferring Embroidery Designs To Machines

    Arranging Embroidery Designs Transferring Embroidery Designs to Machines The procedures for transferring the created embroidery pattern to an embroidery machine differ depending on your embroidery machine model. For details, refer to the Operation Manual provided with your embroidery machine. Transferring to a machine Click , then by using an original card...
  • Page 55 Arranging Embroidery Designs Transferring to a machine Transferring directly to a by using USB media machine’s memory Designs can be transferred to Designs can be transferred to an embroidery machine embroidery machines that can compatible with the USB Host be connected to a computer function.
  • Page 56: Printing

    Arranging Embroidery Designs Printing (4) Print option Specifying print settings Print sewing area box & center axes: Select this option to print black lines to indicate the sewing area and the center axes for the data. (This setting is Before printing, you may need to change the print only available when Actual Size is settings for the embroidery design files.
  • Page 57 Arranging Embroidery Designs Checking a print image Printing You can preview the contents of the Design Page You can print the Design Page together with its before printing. sewing information. Click 1, then 2, then 3. Click 1, then 2, then 3. Select the necessary settings.
  • Page 58: Specifying The Design Page Size And Color

    Arranging Embroidery Designs Specifying the Design Page Size and Color The color and size of the Design Page can be changed. You can select a Design Page size according to the size of hoop that you will be using with your embroidery machine. User Hoop Setting Click , then...
  • Page 59: Changing Application Settings

    Arranging Embroidery Designs Changing Application Settings Changing the grid settings System unit A grid of dotted lines or solid lines can be displayed Click to switch the measurement units or hidden, and the spacing for the grid can be between millimeters and inches. adjusted.
  • Page 60: Deleting A Chart

    Arranging Embroidery Designs ■ Creating a new thread chart Editing user thread color Click New Chart (1). lists Type in the name of the chart, and then click If you have a list of thread colors that are frequently used, they can be saved in a user thread chart. Click , then Memo:...
  • Page 61 Arranging Embroidery Designs ■ ■ Adding a new item Editing an item An item registered in the list for a user thread chart Click New Item (4). can be edited to change the color or thread number. To create a new color, click Mix. From the list for the user thread chart (8), select the item to be edited, and then click Edit Item (6).
  • Page 62 Arranging Embroidery Designs ■ Changing the order of items Specifying the number of jumps in From the list for the user thread chart (8), embroidery design of the DST format select the item to be moved. With the DST format, you can specify whether or not Click Up or Down (3) to change the order of the jump stitches are trimmed according to the the item.
  • Page 63: Supplement

    Understanding Windows Supplement PE-DESIGN PLUS Window 1 Application button 6 Sewing Order pane Click to display a menu containing commands This pane shows the sewing order. Click the for file operations, such as New, Save and Print. buttons at the top of the pane to change the sewing order or thread color.
  • Page 64 Supplement Example: With (A) selected and a check mark Memo: beside (B) • Panes 6, 7 and 8 can be displayed or hidden from the Show/Hide group in the View tab. In addition, these panes can be displayed as separate dialog boxes (Floating) or attached to the main window (Docking).
  • Page 65 Supplement ■ ■ Color/Sewing Attributes/Text Using access keys Attributes pane, Sewing Order When the key is pressed, a KeyTip (label pane and Stitch Simulator pane showing the letter of the access key) appears on each command. On the keyboard, press the key Floating corresponding to the command that you wish to use.
  • Page 66: Quick Access Toolbar

    Supplement ■ ■ Quick Access Toolbar Shortcut keys Click Customize. Click Customize, then Customize (8). In the Categories list, select a command category. Then, in the Commands list, select the command whose shortcut keys are to be specified. Repeat the following operations until the desired commands are displayed.
  • Page 67: Menus

    Supplement Menus Application button menu Menu Reference p. 48 p. 48 Open p. 18 Save p. 18 Save As p. 51 Design Property p. 54 Print p. 10 Wizard p. 18 Export File p. 57, p. 60, p. 63 Options p.
  • Page 68 Supplement ■ View tab Menu Reference Menu Reference p. 41 p. 32, p. 35 Solid View Text Attributes p. 41 p. 47 Stitch View Color Palette p. 41 p. 57 Realistic View Show Grid p. 43 p. 57 Sewing Order Snap to Grid p.
  • Page 69: Tips And Techniques

    Tips and Techniques This software allows you to create a wide variety of embroidery patterns and supports wider ranges for the setting of the sewing attributes (thread density, sewing pitch, etc.). However, the final result also depends on your particular embroidery machine model. We recommend that you make a trial sewing sample with your sewing data before sewing on the final material.
  • Page 70: Reference

    Reference Sewing Attributes The sewing attributes for each sew type are first set to their default settings; however, by changing the settings of the sewing attributes, you can create custom stitching. For more details, refer to “Line sewing attributes” on page 68 and “Region sewing attributes” on page 69.
  • Page 71: Satin Stitch

    Supplement Region sew types Satin Stitch Fill Stitch Programmable Fill Stitch ■ Region sewing attributes The available attributes differ depending on the selected sew type. Satin stitch/Fill stitch/Programmable fill stitch Sets underlay stitching on or off. To specify underlay stitching, select the check box. With text patterns Under sewing With other patterns (Shapes)
  • Page 72: Font List

    Supplement Font List Text...
  • Page 73 Supplement Text Memo: Uppercase letters of the English alphabet Lowercase letters of the English alphabet Numerals Punctuation marks, brackets and other symbols Uppercase and lowercase accented letters...
  • Page 74: Pes-Writer

    PES-Writer Writing Multiple Embroidery Files to an Original Card Starting up PES-Writer Note: • The original card is inserted correctly when you hear it snap into place. • It is not necessary to turn off the Click , then All Programs, then PE-DESIGN computer when original cards are PLUS, and then click PES-Writer.
  • Page 75 Supplement ■ Operation screen Select an embroidery pattern from the available patterns list (1), and then click 2 to (1) (2) (3) add the pattern to the selected patterns list (3). After all embroidery patterns to be written are added to the selected patterns list, click 4. (1) Icon size button Switch between the large and small display size of the embroidery pattern...
  • Page 76: Help Menu

    Supplement Exiting application Click in the upper-right corner of the window, or click File then Exit from the menu bar. Selecting system units Click Option, then Select System Unit from the menu bar. Select the appropriate units (mm or inch) and then click OK.
  • Page 77: Troubleshooting

    Troubleshooting If a problem occurs, click Customer Support on the menu of PE-DESIGN PLUS to visit the following Web site, where you can find causes and solutions to various problems and answers to frequently asked questions. If you have a problem, check the following solutions. If the solutions suggested do not correct the problem, contact your authorized dealer or Brother Customer Service.
  • Page 78: Index

    Index access key ..............63 grid ................57 Application button ............61 grouping embroidery patterns ........39 Appliqué ..............47 Auto Hide ..............63 Auto Punch ..............24 Auto Scroll ..............42 Hard disk free space ............. 5 Help button ..............61 Hide ................
  • Page 79 Index .pen files ..............72 Technical Support ............9 .pes files ..............72 Text Attribute pane ............61 Pan ................40 Text Attribute Setting ..........35 pattern information ............51 Text Size selector ............35 adding comments ..........51 Thread Chart ............20, 23 Photo Stitch 1 ............
  • Page 80 English Printed in China XF0606-001...

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