Moderator: Welcome to tonight's special event: "Digitizing Tips and Tricks - part 1" with Bonnie Landsberger with Moonlight Design
Received file sunroom12.gif.
Bonnie is on the stage.
Alan is on the stage.
Alan: Welcome to tonight's special event: "Digitizing Tips and Tricks - Part 1" with Bonnie Landsberger
Alan: Tonight's special event will start with a 30 minute interview, then we will open it up for questions from the audience for the second half hour.
Alan: Throughout the event all questions submitted to the stage, will go to an off screen moderator, to allow for grouping of questions
Alan: Our guest tonight Bonnie Landsberger with Moonlight Design
Alan: Tonight we are going to discuss:
"Digitizing Tips and Tricks - Part 1"
Alan: Welcome Bonnie
Bonnie: Thank you. :-)
Alan: so now we are going to talk about Digitizing
Bonnie: What do you want to know?
Alan: tell us a brief history of your background
Bonnie: I started digitizing in 1986 as an in-house puncher for a large embroidery company.
Bonnie: I actually began as a print artist and took on the job of digitizing.
Bonnie: I used a Melco digitrac without software at that time.
Alan: ah... the one where if you made a mistake you started over
Bonnie: Yes, and this is what I believe taught me a lot.
Alan: when you can't edit... you learn, learn, learn
Bonnie: No one dared speak to me while I was digitizing because there was no way to fix things.
Alan: to do it right the first time
Bonnie: Yes.
Bonnie: And then, when I finally got software for editing, it was truly a blessing.
Bonnie: But I'd learned a lot of discipline that first year without the software.
Bonnie: As I punched it would automatically sewn out, and it was such a great teacher.
Bonnie: I used Melco's DOS software in the beginning, then the Windows version and now I use Capital Automation's SEDS. Although there's a lot of fancy features, I continue to do things the manual or "old" way.
Bonnie: I incorporate the new fancy features sometimes, but would never rely on them for serious work (only).
Alan: what is one of the primary things you remember, technique wise from that experience?
Bonnie: Learning push and pull compensation is one major things and the use of underlay.
Bonnie: These are two things in today's software that are auto-functions.
Alan: with today's software doing it automatically, a lot of new folks don't understand what is happening
Bonnie: I think that's why a lot of new digitizers don't understand.
Alan: like using a calculator without knowing the functions themselves
Bonnie: There ya go -- good way to look at it.
Bonnie: Embroidery has so many different requirements on different substrates, etc., that one auto feature just can't calculate it all correctly.
Bonnie: It takes a knowledge of when to use which parameter. And this comes without depending on a computer.
Bonnie: Software functions are tools. You still need to know when to use those tools.
Bonnie: I see many people depending too much on auto functions.
Alan: Bonnie, what are some of the main tips and tricks that you have learned?... can you put them in categories?
Bonnie: Not just the scanning function, but things like underlay. Sometimes it works ok, but not always.
Bonnie: Wow, Alan, that would take a bit of time. Maybe next week. :-)
Bonnie: I can try.
Bonnie: First, pathing or mapping the artwork.
Alan: great place to start
Bonnie: Know where you're going before anything else.
Alan: sort of planning the road trip... before you leave the house
Bonnie: Then after that, there's the garment it's sewn on and its requirements. And the substrate -- the fabric of the garment.
Bonnie: Back to pathing -- that really is a key factor.
Alan: trying to figure out how not to paint yourself into a corner
Bonnie: If you don't know where you're going, it will take twice as long, and you could end up with many jumps or, yes, like you said, paint yourself in a corner.
Alan: I see way too many trims sometimes from not laying out the path better
Bonnie: So, it's very important to start with artwork and your own method of pathing. I've used colored pencils to color in and make particular marks so when I get to that place I know what to do immediately.
Bonnie: If you use scanned in .jpegs or other you can make these marks in a paint program or Corel Draw first.
Bonnie: You may not think you'll get lost, but after hours of staring at artwork close up, you can easily forget where you've been.
Bonnie: You can also jot down notes of densities for particular areas, or stitch lengths or types, etc., and it lessens the decision making time.
Bonnie: After you've got the pathing down, you need to consider what it's being sewn on.
Bonnie: A style parameter that you use for something like denim will not sew the same as it does on something like nylon.
Bonnie: The best thing a new digitizer can do is start a chart in the beginning.
Bonnie: Try different settings for different fabrics, sew them, and keep them handy. I STILL use mine after 18 years!
Bonnie: Also, keep a recipe book -- different settings for different effects.
Bonnie: Unless you have an extremely brilliant memory, it's near impossible to remember all situations.
Bonnie: If you're an independent digitizer, you should also keep a record of different needs of clients.
Bonnie: Machines each have a "personality" of their own.
Bonnie: Some need wider columns than others, etc.
Bonnie: So, it's wise to jot down these little needs and keep them with your customer's files.
Alan: Bonnie... you ready to take questions?
Bonnie: Sure.
Alan: well.. we now just have to get the questions from the audience... hint, Hint!
Moderator: Audience member says: "I'm a hands on learner....and training can be difficult to come buy. Are there any publications you would recommend?"
Bonnie: Stitches Magazine & Profitable Embroiderer (I write for both.) :-)
Bonnie: Also, you can check at the EU for some good lessons and there's Tom Moore's book, Digitizing 101.
Bonnie: I wish I could say I have a book written. It's still in my head, I'm afraid.
Moderator: Audience member says: "Bonnie. I feel that the quality of digitizing has gone down hill in recent years since most people dont use the Old School ways of control of the design. Do you feel the same way. I understand that the new software allows for this control but its not us"
Moderator: Audience member says: "used as it shoul be"
Bonnie: Absolutely!
Bonnie: This is what I've been trying to say for so long!
Bonnie: You cannot depend on the new software functions for great digitizing quality.
Alan: what can we do about it?
Bonnie: You must remember that at one time, digitizers did not use any software at all.
Bonnie: The best thing I can recommend is to just go back to the Old School ways -- meaning learn how to PUNCH.
Moderator: Audience member says: "all this NEW TECH stuff still does not beat good planning and execution the old way."
Bonnie: And the best to do that is to watch many of the old school teacher's designs sew, i.e., Walter Floriani, etc.
Moderator: Audience member says: "I keep hearing from the pros not to rely on the automatic functions..."
Bonnie: I feel that quality can only come from doing things from "scratch" or at least using the new tools in a way where you know they will have those results.
Moderator: Audience member says: "I know that the automatic underlay in my software is not nearly enough to use as a stand alone."
Bonnie: Again, these auto functions are merely tools. And you need to know how to use them. This comes from practice, trial and error.
Bonnie: Yes, I rarely use auto underlay.
Bonnie: It may be due to it being a part of my habits to use manual underlay, but I feel more confident in the end results.
Moderator: Audience member says: "Yeah, and sometimes even in this day and age that the trial and error can just about kill you...LOL"
Bonnie: I like to know where it's going and sometimes areas need an extra tweek that an auto function will not pick up.
Moderator: Audience member says: "Often times the customer is clueless when it comes to digitizing...how can we educate them?"
Bonnie: My ex-boss (I'm independent now) would bring them down to the digitrac, and show them.
Bonnie: It made me nervous, but at least they saw what had to be done.
Bonnie: It seems to be the only way -- walk them through it.
Alan: Have some old copies of the drawings with the pathing marks on it
Moderator: Audience member says: "I find that people think that because you have a computer, the digitizing is automatic. "
Moderator: Audience member says: "They figure when you pay as much as you do for the software, it should be as simple as pushing one button."
Alan: .... let's hear "Scan and Sew"
Bonnie: Yes, and that's why you must show them that it's not scan and sew.
Moderator: Audience member says: "or that they think they can bring you the design on a disk and you can just sew it. RIGHT!"
Bonnie: That's funny. :-)
Alan: funny... too many times the truth
Bonnie: Yes, it is. :-) But in today's world, it's difficult for the folks to understand all things can't be automatic.
Alan: even on the EmbroideryList, we have people ask how to convert from a .jpg to a .dst
Bonnie: Yes, when I see posts like that, I know it's got to be someone knew.
Bonnie: new.
Bonnie: Digitizing should be so simple, eh?
Moderator: Audience member says: "Yes, and they want it in minutes too."
Moderator: Audience member says: "And worse yet people will take their money auto digitize it and think thats digitizing."
Bonnie: But some new embroiderers actually do believe that's how it's done, and then they wonder why they can't achieve quality.
Alan: Well the salesperson said so, so it has to be right!
Moderator: Audience member says: "Bonnie, do you find that most of your digitizing is done for the commercial embroiderer, or the home embroiderer these days?"
Bonnie: It's so important that a new embroiderer seek a good digitizer -- yes Alan, that's where sales folks could be a bit more helpful.
Bonnie: Actually, both.
Bonnie: And I find that the home embroiderer is more open to learning the right way to do things.
Moderator: Audience member says: "Some of them are actually learing the harder ways which are the better ways! "
Bonnie: But usually there is a calling from both industry and home embroiderers. My clientelle includes both -- about 60 percent industry 40 home
Bonnie: Yes, this is where the home embroiderer actually has an advantage.
Moderator: Audience member says: "How does a new person find a good digitizer, especially since there are so many who do digitizing?"
Bonnie: They already know that it's going to be a tough job with home equipment
Bonnie: woops -- what was the last question Alan?
Alan: "How does a new person find a good digitizer, especially since there are so many who do digitizing?"
Bonnie: First, I'd recommend me. :-) lol!
Bonnie: But seriously, look for someone who has been digitizing for quite awhile, in my opinion.
Bonnie: Find out what kind of software they use -- industry standard recommended.
Bonnie: Ask them what their methods are and pricing, etc., and ask for references.
Moderator: Audience member says: "If they learned with a PUCK they are most likely one of the best ones. Or people that learned by drawing for the digitizers."
Bonnie: One important thing to ask is if they use manual methods -- whether or not they incorporate their auto-functions.
Moderator: Audience member says: "how about the overseas services for $4/thousand pricing?"
Bonnie: I personally wouldn't recommend anyone who prices like that. I also have my hesitations with those who can promise an immediate turnaround.
Moderator: Audience member says: "Bonnie joked about recommending herself, but seriously, when people ask me for references for digitizers, Bonnie's name is the first one I mention. She's great! (and no, I'm not on her payroll )"
Bonnie: Digitizing takes time. The only ones who can get it out in a few hours, imo, are those who aren't either busy or who don't double check their work.
Bonnie: Gee thanks. :-)
Alan: Well... talk about being busy, or running out of time...
Alan: Well once again that time has arrived to bring this portion of the event to a close.
Alan: That is the conclusion of tonight's event, a transcript will be posted to the Embroidery Industry Calendar within the hour.
Alan: If you would like to contact Bonnie,
her email is: moonltd@aol.com
Alan: Or visit her website at:
http://www.DesignsByMoonlight.com
Alan: Next week are we are going to continue our discussion:
"Digitizing Tips and Tricks - Part 2"
Alan:
Thank you for your support of the EmbroideryMall.
Alan: Now everyone back to Latte's
The PalacePresents event ""Digitizing Tips and Tricks - part 1"" is over.
Thank you for attending.

Closing Log (July 6, 2004 10:42 PM)

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