Table of Contents
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Disclaimers
The converter box will not read manufacturers' alphabet
•
memory cards.
All designs must fit inside the sewing hoop capabilities of
•
your machine. Reducing the design to fit inside your
hoop may affect the sewability.
Some designs may have stitches that can not be read
•
correctly into the converter box.
The converter box can not warrant the quality of third
•
party digitizers.
Any user of the converter box should adhere to applicable
•
license agreements of all third parties of the designs.
This product is not to be used to violate copyright, trade-
•
marks or other intellectual property rights of third parties.
This product can read from embroidery cards, disks or
•
hard drive and will save designs to an official Mini Amazing
Box II rewritable memory card, your hard drive or other
writable media.
Inserting the wrong card type or any foreign object other
•
than an embroidery memory card into the correct slot
could bend connector pins and damage the converter
box. Connector pins are not covered under the Limited
Warranty.
Each card will access 120,000 to 180,000 stitches. It is
•
possible that some designs have more stitches than a
card will allow.
Not all designs will work on all machines due to machine
•
capabilities and limitations.
It may be necessary to colorize designs through the
•
included Color Editor program to save the design so that
the color displays correctly on your machine's LCD
screen.
I
Warranty
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Chapters
Table of Contents
Summary of Contents for Amazing Designs Mini Amazing Box II
- Page 1 Warranty Disclaimers The converter box will not read manufacturers’ alphabet • memory cards. All designs must fit inside the sewing hoop capabilities of • your machine. Reducing the design to fit inside your hoop may affect the sewability. Some designs may have stitches that can not be read •...
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Page 2: Limited Warranty
Mini Amazing Box II Limited Warranty All parts other than connector pins are warranted to be free from defects for a period of one year and will be at the manufacturer's option, replaced or repaired at no charge to you, the consumer, for a... - Page 3 Warranty THIS LIMITED WARRANTY IS THE EXCLUSIVE WARRANTY AND ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, ARE HEREBY DISCLAIMED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. This warranty is in effect provided the converter box is used only for normal household sewing purposes and not commercial use, and given reasonably good care.
- Page 4 Mini Amazing Box II This warranty is nontransferable and extends only to the original purchaser when new and when purchased from a duly authorized dealer. This warranty is in lieu of all other warranties. The manufacturer is not responsible for any representation, expressed or implied other than those contained herein.
- Page 5 Warranty IMPORTANT INFORMATION: REGULATIONS Federal Communications Commission Compliance Notice (for U.S.A. only) This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protec- tion against harmful interference in a residential installation.
- Page 6 Mini Amazing Box II Important - About the Interface Cable This equipment has been certified to comply with FCC standards, which are applied to the U.S.A. only. A shielded interface cable should be used according to FCC 15.27 (C) Caution...
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Page 7: Table Of Contents
Table of Contents Table of Contents Disclaimers Limited Warranty Support Table of Contents Introduction Why Choose The Mini Amazing Box II Terms Used in This Manual Icons Used in This Book Installation Accessory Page Computer Requirements Hardware Installation Troubleshooting Software Installation... -
Page 8: Table Of Contents
VIII Mini Amazing Box II Table of Contents (cont) Delete Write Save Using Designs with Software Main Screen Design Screen Dialog Box Read GNC Files Zip Files Load Card Save Write Card Delete Options Exit Sewing Field Index Color Editor... -
Page 9: Introduction
Introduction About This Manual The Mini Amazing Box II gives you the unique ability to convert your favorite design from one format to an- other, the ability to use designs from disks, CDs and the Internet and to save designs from memory cards to writable media such as your computer’s hard drive. -
Page 10: Terms Used In This Manual
Mini Amazing Box II Why Choose The Mini Amazing Box The Mini Amazing Box II has the most flexible and easy-to-use features allowing you to work directly with Smart Sizer Gold, Lettering Pro, Size Express, Fast Fills, Click ‘N Stitch, Embroidery Links and Color Editor. -
Page 11: Icons Used In This Book
Introduction Icons Used in This Book This icon indicates a story. These stories help to explain and simplify problems that may be con- fusing. This icon indicates helpful tips that enable you to better understand how the software works. This icon provides information that will save you ving time in your day-to-day use of the software and in some cases the use of your computer. - Page 12 Mini Amazing Box II...
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Page 13: Installation
Installation Items Found in this Section: Accessory Page Computer Requirements Hardware Installation Software Installation Start Program... -
Page 14: Accessory Page
Mini Amazing Box II Accessory Page Included with The Mini Amazing Box II: Mini Amazing Box II Rewritable Memory Card Instruction manual Mini Amazing Box II Software on CD-ROM Including Color Editor & Adober® Reader® USB Cable Options: Additional Rewritable Memory Cards... -
Page 15: Hardware Installation
Installation Hardware Installation Turn OFF computer. Plug flat end of USB cable into USB port. This port may be in the front or back of your machine. Plug square end of your USB cable into the back of your Mini Amazing Box II. - Page 16 Windows will search for the best driver for the Mini- Amazing Box II. Once Windows locates the driver on the Mini Amazing Box II CD, it will start to install. The Microsoft Windows Logo testing screen will appear. Click “Continue Anyway”...
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Page 17: Troubleshooting
Conversion Box Plus,” and then click “Stop.” It is now safe to unplug your Mini Amazing Box II. The next time you plug in your Mini Amazing Box II, Windows will automatically recognize the conversion box driver. NOTE: If you fail to stop... - Page 18 Box II is in the process of gaining "formal" Microsoft approval, it has been tested for use under the Windows XP operating system and is Windows XP compatible. The Mini Amazing Box II driver should not yield any problems, therefore, select “Continue Anyway” when this warning appears.
- Page 19 4. Turn on the computer. 5. A Mircrosoft message stating, “New hardware found,” appears. 6. Insert the Mini Amazing Box II CD into the CD- ROM drive and cancel installation if it autoruns. 7. Now follow the on-screen prompts and directions in the Installation chapter on Hardware Installation to install the USB driver.
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Page 20: Software Installation
Mini Amazing Box II Software Installation From the Windows desktop close all open programs. Place The Mini Amazing Box II CD in the CD-ROM drive. From the Windows desktop, click on the Start button. Click on the Run button. At the Run prompt you will need to type the letter of your CD-ROM Drive followed by Setup. - Page 21 Installation Click Next. Figure Inst-2 Read license agreement. Click I accept the terms in the license agreement. Click Next. Figure Inst-3 Click Install. Figure Inst-4 Click Finish. Figure Inst-5...
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Page 22: Start Program
Click on Programs. Click on Great Notions. Click on Mini Amazing Box II. Mini Amazing Box II appears on your screen as shown in Figure Inst-6. Your Mini Amazing Box II and software is properly installed and is ready to use. -
Page 23: File Formats
File Formats... -
Page 24: File Formats
File Formats are designs on your hard drive, floppy or CD-ROM that The Mini Amazing Box II will read. There are many different file formats the Mini Amazing Box II will open. You will find them listed below. GNC (*.gnc) A “GNC”... - Page 25 File Formats EXP (*.exp) A “EXP” file is an expanded file format originally developed for commercial embroidery machines. JEF (*.jef) A “JEF” file is an expanded file format that works with the Janome 10000 machine. PCS (*.pcs) A “PCS” file is an expanded file format that works with Pfaff PC-Designer V2.0 (PC), and Pfaff PC-Designer V2.1 (PC) software.
- Page 26 Special resizing software such as Size Express from Amazing Designs will recalculate the number of stitches to be appropriate for the new size, whether reducing or enlarging expanded...
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Page 27: Quick Start
Quick Start Items Found in this Section: General Operation Read Load Delete Write Save Using Compatible Software... -
Page 28: General Operation
Mini Amazing Box II General Operation 1. Make sure The Mini Amazing Box II has power. To do this, simply verify the green light on the front of The Mini Amazing Box II is on. 2. Open the Mini Amazing Box II program by double-clicking on the icon. -
Page 29: Read
Quick Start Figure QS-1 Read The Read function lets you select a design from a floppy disk, CD, or your hard drive. The Mini Amazing Box II software is conversion software. This means that you can “read” CSD, DST, PES, HUS, JEF, SEW, SHV, XXX and PCS file extensions into this software. - Page 30 Mini Amazing Box II Remember, the box is a design file transfer system for finished file sewing formats. You cannot read .bmp, .jpg, or any kind of clip art into this program. There is no digitizing software included. For autodigitizing capability, see your dealer about Click ‘n Stitch Xtra from Amazing...
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Page 31: Load
Quick Start Load The Load function is what enables you to take designs from memory cards into the software and write them back to a card for any supported embroidery machine. 1. Simply insert the preprogrammed memory card into the appropriate slot (See Figure QS-3 on the next page) in the box and the Load button will highlight. - Page 32 The card slot for Baby Lock, Bernina-Deco, Brother, Simplicity, Viking #1+, Rose, and 605 Cards. Red Light The red light informs you The Mini Amazing Box II is either reading or writing a card. Green Light The green light informs you The Mini Amazing Box...
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Page 33: Delete
Quick Start Delete The Delete button is used to remove a design from any of the 6 squares on the screen. Click the design you want to delete then click the Delete button and the design disappears. Write Once you have up to 6 designs on your screen then you are ready to insert your rewritable memory card into the appropriate slot on the Mini Amazing Box II and write the designs to the... -
Page 34: Save
“Success - Memory card is ready for use” will appear on your screen when it is safe to remove your card from The Mini Amazing Box II. Now you are ready to take the card to your machine and sew!! - Page 35 Quick Start Figure QS-4 Using a standard Windows® interface, you will be given the opportunity to select the directory location where the files will be stored. You may also create a new directory, if you wish, by clicking on the ‘New Folder’ button. Figure QS-5 Click inside the dialog box beside the word ‘Name’...
- Page 36 Mini Amazing Box II You will be prompted to enter a prefix that will be included in the file names. Enter a name that is related to the design Figure QS-7 theme and click “OK’. Figure QS-8 A message appears that tells you copying of the entire card is about to begin.
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Page 37: Using Designs With Software
Editing Single Designs Without Copying Entire Card Using the Load function, The Mini Amazing Box II allows you to edit your designs using other Amazing Designs software such as Lettering Pro, Size Express, Color Editor, etc. - Page 38 3. Once in Color Editor, recolor the design by clicking on the color chips below the design. 4. To send design back to The Mini Amazing Box II, click File/Save. This also works with any other Amazing Designs software. Figure QS-11...
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Page 39: Main Screen
Main Screen In this section of the manual, all the features on the Main Screen are explained. Items Found in this Section: Design Screen Dialog Box Read Load Write Save Delete Options Exit Figure MS-1 Mini Amazing Box II Main Screen... - Page 40 Mini Amazing Box II Main Screen Figure MS-2 Design Screen Dialog Box Read Load Save Write Delete Options Exit...
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Page 41: Design Screen
Main Screen Design Screen When using The Mini Amazing Box II, you are able to place up to six designs onto a card at one time, depending on the size, stitch count and/or num- ber of color changes in the design. -
Page 42: Dialog Box
Mini Amazing Box II Dialog Box When moving your mouse over the different features in the program, information about that feature will be displayed in the Dialog Box. Read Click the Read button or the File/Open drop- down menu to open the “Open” window as shown below in Figure MS-4. - Page 43 Main Screen Another feature in the “Open” window is “Browse.” Click on Browse and the “Browse” window will open displaying all the designs in that folder as shown below in Figure MS-5. Figure MS-5 With the “Browse” function open, there are several things to note.
- Page 44 Click the Cancel button to close the window. The Mini Amazing Box II can read multiple file formats from floppy, CD-ROM or your hard drive. GNC: Great Notions Condensed (*.gnc) CSD: Toyota Poem/Singer EU/Dos HuskyGram (*.csd)
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Page 45: Gnc Files
The GNC format is only found on Amazing Designs disk collections. Zip Files The Mini Amazing Box II will also read zip files. Click the Read button and go to the directory that contains your zipped designs as shown in Figure MS-6. -
Page 46: Load Card
Mini Amazing Box II Select the zipped file that you want to take a design from and click Open. The name only of the file is displayed, as there is no “browse by icon” feature for zipped files. The “Zip Directory”... - Page 47 The card slot for Baby Lock, Bernina-Deco, Brother, Simplicity, Viking #1+, Rose, and 605 Cards. Remember to remove the pre-programmed memory card from the Mini Amazing Box II and replace with the rewritable card before clicking “Write.” Click the Load button or the File/Load drop- down menu and the “Read Design”...
- Page 48 Mini Amazing Box II Type in the design number of the single design you wish to load if you know the numbered position of the design. After typing in the design number, click OK and the desired design will load into one of the six selection boxes.
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Page 49: Save
Main Screen You can select up to 6 designs depending on the space available on the “Main Screen.” The “Card’s Directory” will not close until you click OK. Clicking the Next Page button will show the next six designs. Clicking the Prev Page button will show the previous six designs. -
Page 50: You Will Be Prompted To
Mini Amazing Box II If you chose to create a new directory, click inside the dialog box beside the word ‘Name’ and type the name of your new directory. Highlight the name of the selected or new directory. You will be prompted to enter a prefix that will be included in the file names. - Page 51 Write The Mini Amazing Box II has the capability of loading and writing designs from one memory card directly to another type of memory card. You must have the appropriate writable card to be able to write designs for your machine.
- Page 52 Mini Amazing Box II Pfaff, Artista and Janome 10000 all use the same slot in The Mini Amazing Box II, but the Janome 10000 rewritable card is different from the Pfaff and Artista card. This means you cannot write a Pfaff or Artista file to a Janome 10000 card and vice versa.
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Page 53: Write Card
Main Screen Only the machine choices appropriate for the card inserted in the slot will be offered (example: the right side slot is for format PES/HUS so only Baby Lock/Brother/Deco/Simplicity/Viking machines will be offered). Select the appropriate machine model. If you do not see your machine model you can select a different machine by the same manufacturer with the same single sewing field parameters. - Page 54 Mini Amazing Box II Figure MS-8a Do not remove your card while the red light is on! When the Mini Amazing Box II has written the designs to the card, it will display a “Success” window (Figure MS-8b). You are now ready to...
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Page 55: Delete
Main Screen Some machines require designs to split into multiple files depending on the number of colors and stitch count. If your design doesn’t appear to have sewn out completely, then you may need to select the next file on the card to complete your design. -
Page 56: Exit
Mini Amazing Box II Scroll through the list until you find your ma- chine and select it. Click OK to accept it or Cancel to close the window. The machine information will now replace the word “Unknown” on the “Write” buttons on the “Main Screen.” You can set all 3 buttons to your machine types or leave the other 2 as “Unknown.”... -
Page 57: Sewing Field Index
Main Screen Memory card driven machines Maximum Single Sewing Field By Machine Machine Hoop Size File Baby Lock ESI/ESI2 100 x 100 PES,PEC Baby Lock EM1/EM2/eac/BL60E 100 x 100 PES,PEC Bernina Deco 500/600 100 x 100 PES,PEC Simplicity SE1/SE2/SE3 100 x 100 PES,PEC Brother PE150/100/200/300S/7500 100 x 100 PES,PEC... - Page 58 115 x 120 Viking Rose/1+/Iris 100 x 100 *********** Single sewing fields listed for current model machines even though The Mini Amazing Box II may not be capable of saving to some of the larger sewing fields at this time. ************...
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Page 59: Color Editor
Color Editor In this section, all the features of the Color Editor software are explained. Figure CE-1 Color Editor is a separate program provided with The Mini Amazing Box II for the purpose of chang- ing a design’s color information. -
Page 60: Drop Down Menu
Editor. Figure CE-2 Drop-Downs You will find four Drop-Down Menus: File View Options Help For information on bringing a design directly from the Mini Amazing Box II Main Screen into Color Editor, see the last page of the QuickStart chapter. -
Page 61: File
Color Editor File Menu Open (Ctrl+O) Click File, then Open to select a design. Figure CE-3 Open This displays the “Open” window along with your default folder or directory setting as shown above in Figure CE-3. FigureCE-3a Click on the down arrow to the right of the “Look in”... - Page 62 Mini Amazing Box II When you click on a file, the file name will appear in the field box to the right of “File name” as shown in Figure CE-3b. Figure CE-3b To the right of “Files of type” you can choose what type of embroidery format you wish to open.
- Page 63 Color Editor After selecting a design, it appears in the “File name” box. Click on the Open button to load the design. Across the top of the main screen is the title bar. It will display the file name of the design you have opened.
- Page 64 Mini Amazing Box II Save As Click File, then Save As to name your design and save it to the desired folder. Figure CE-4 Save As The “Save As” window in Figure CE-4, functions the same way as the “Open” window. Click on the down arrow to the right of the “Save in”...
- Page 65 Color Editor The “Save As” feature will only allow you to save the file within the same format it was opened, with the exception of GNC. If a design is opened in GNC, it can be saved in HUS, CSD, PES, SEW, JEF, PCS, XXX, EXP and DST.
- Page 66 Mini Amazing Box II Print (Ctrl+P) Click File, then Print to print a copy of your design. Not only will the design print out, but it will also show the file name, the stitching size, the num- ber of stitches and the number of colors.
- Page 67 Color Editor When viewing the “Print Preview” screen, there are some items to note (Figure CE-5a). Figure CE-5a On the right side of the screen (Figure CE-5a), you will notice the file name, the size of design in millimeters and inches, stitch count, number of colors and the order the colors are to be sewn out.
- Page 68 Mini Amazing Box II Figure CE-5b Click the One Page button to bring the “Print Preview” screen back to one page as shown in Figure CE-5c. Figure CE-5c Click the Zoom In button to zoom in as shown in Figure CE-5a.
- Page 69 Color Editor Print Setup Click File, then Print Setup to bring up the print setup dialog box as shown in Figure CE-6. Figure CE-6 l Stuff You will be able to change the type of printer, properties, paper size and orientation within print setup.
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Page 70: View
Mini Amazing Box II VIEW Menu Toolbar Figure CE-7 (Top of Screen) Click View, then Main Toolbar to add or remove the “Main Toolbar” options from the screen. A checkmark denotes the toolbar is active. The “Toolbar” is the row of icons found at the top of the screen. -
Page 71: Options
Color Editor OPTIONS Menu Hoop Size Click Options, then Hoop Size to select the brand of machine and hoop size as shown in Figure CE-9. Figure CE-9 The workspace grid will increase or decrease in size to show the work area available for that particular machine and hoop size. - Page 72 Mini Amazing Box II Density Settings (for GNC Designs Only) Click Options, then Density Settings to bring up the dialog box in Figure CE-10. Density Settings only work with GNC designs. Figure CE-10 In Figure CE-10 you will find two ways to adjust the density of the embroidery pattern, “Adjust stitch...
- Page 73 GNC format is the only format in which you can change the density. The GNC format is only found on Amazing Designs Disk Collections. Click on Cancel to close the density settings command without making any changes to your design.
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Page 74: Tool Bar
Mini Amazing Box II Figure CE-11a Figure CE-11a shows the setting for Viking/ Husqvarna machines. This option will split the design at every 12th color change. When a design is split, the file name will be renamed with an A, B, C etc. at the end of the file. -
Page 75: Help
Color Editor Figure CE-11c Figure CE-11c is the setting for Pfaff PCS. The first option will make PCS files 100% compatible Pfaff PCS. The second option will split the design at every 16th color change. When a design is split, the file name will be renamed with an A, B, C etc. -
Page 76: Main Toolbar
Mini Amazing Box II Tool Bars This section describes how to use the three tool bars in Figure CE-12 through CE-14. Main Toolbar Figure CE-12 (Top of Screen) Color Bar Figure CE-13 (Bottom of Screen) Status Bar Figure CE-14 (Bottom of Screen) - Page 77 Color Editor Main Menu Toolbar Open Icon (Ctrl+O) Click the Open icon to open a design file as discussed in the “File Menu” section. Save Icon (Ctrl+S) Click the Save icon to save changes to an exist- ing file. The “Save” command saves your docu- ment under the same name with which it was last saved or opened, replacing the previous version.
- Page 78 Menu” section. The GNC format is the only format in which you can change the density. The GNC format is only found on Amazing Designs Disk Collections. Zoom In Icon Click on the Zoom In icon to zoom in on the design.
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Page 79: Color Bar
Color Editor Color Bar Figure CE-15 The “Color Bar” enables you to change the colors of the design on the screen. The “Color Bar” will only show the number of boxes that have color changes within a design. Figure CE-16 After clicking on one of the boxes shown in Figure CE-15 the “Select Color”... - Page 80 The Color Editor software is included with The Mini Amazing Box II so that you can use the “Color Bar” to recolor your designs. If you want the sewing machine to display the correct color names on the sewing machine’s display screen,...
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Page 81: Status Bar
Color Editor Status Bar Figure CE-17 The “Status Bar” provides information about four important items. Size Position from center. Stitch Count Number of Colors Figure CE-17a “Sz:” displays the size of the designs placed on the work space. Figure CE-17b “Pos:”... - Page 82 Mini Amazing Box II...
- Page 83 Frequently Asked Questions...
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Page 84: Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a computer to use a design transfer sytem? Answer: Yes, The Mini Amazing Box II connects to your PC to write files from your computer to the rewritable memory card for your embroidery machine, or transfers designs from a card to your computer. - Page 85 Question: Why do I need this system? Answer: With The Mini Amazing Box II you have the ability to create your own memory cards using designs from disk collections, CDs, or even the Internet. If you decide to edit or...
- Page 86 Mini Amazing Box II Question: How do I keep my Mini Amazing Box II Software up-to-date? Answer: The Amazing Designs Web site (http://www.amazingdesigns.com) will post periodic software updates for download. To see which version of the software you have installed, click “Help”...
- Page 87 FAQs Question: I have followed the “No Com port” instructions and did not receive the “New Hardware found” message; my software still does not work. Answer: There may be other hardware conflicts preventing Windows from recognizing the Mini Amazing Box. Please contact Technical Support for further assistance.
- Page 88 Mini Amazing Box II...
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