Explanation of the concept of Autodigitizing in Wilcom’s EmbroideryStudio

In the Wilcom Web API service “AutoDigitizing” uses the software functionality developed in the Wilcom EmbroideryStudio software. This document focuses on bitmap images that is the most popular method customers use.

• The AutoDigitizing process itself means that first, the embroidery engine processes the image file and generates an embroidery design (EMB) file from the imager.
• THEN, we generate the TrueView image (PNG) or an embroidery machine file (EMB decoded to machine language, for example .DST) from this EMB file.

IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND: The Trueview image is based on “reflection of theoretical light from the stitches”. There is no such thing as “rendering 3D image from the original artwork”! We can have Trueview image only from an embroidery file.

Example:

We chose a bitmap file that we want to convert to embroidery.

The EmbroideryStudio software has an automatic “Smart Design” feature that can generate the embroidery. Direct from this image.

NOTE: internally, the software

• Removes or keeps the background (selectable)
• has to find and define the individual objects,
• autotrace their outlines,
• decide about stitch types
• decide about the stitch directions.
• Also, in practical embroidery it is rare that a logo contains more than 5-6 colors therefore there is a “color-reduction” process included.

The resulting embroidery generated looks like this:

And Trueview applied:

Notes on quality:

• We can see that the original bitmap image is clean, free of fuzzy parts and does not have millions of colors therefore the result also shows well-defined objects. On a poor quality image these may need to be adjusted.
• The software has built-in rules to define the stitch type (in this example Satin Stitch and Tatami Stitch). These may not be optimal on complicated shapes.
• Similar rules decide about the optimum stitch direction.
• The number of stitches are approximately similar to a design made by an expert digitizer person therefore the result gives a reasonable estimate for costing.
• Note: various fabric-related stitch parameters like, Automatic underlay, Stitch densities, Pull-compensation are applied based on the most common type of fabric. Theses should be adjusted by the designer or “production manager” before such design goes into production.

CONCLUSION:

The Autodigitizing process works well on good quality Artwork and produces a design that can be shown to the customer for JOB APPROVAL Purposes and COST ESTIMATION. It is not guaranteed to stitch well and in high quality therefore typically it would be properly digitized or if it is a reasonable result need to be edited to make it optimal for embroidery production.

EMBROIDERY API AUTODITIZING

The above process is generally similar to what is happening in the api/bitmapArtDesign call.

Note that the api/bitmapArtDesign and api/bitmapArtTrueview calls practically do the same thing only the returned data is focused on the EMB (or machine ) file, while the Trueview call is focusing on the Trueview.

NOTES ON THE TRUEVIEW IMAGE

The Trueview image is a 32 bit so called “transparent” PNG file that is suitable to be presented on a garment or other embroidered objects to show what the final embroidery will look like. Its typical use is to send to customers for job approval.