Auto-Density: most columns aren't going to be straight from beginning to end. The width may increase, decrease, and increase again. In this situation it is very useful to use the Auto-Density option instead of having to manually insert density changes throughout your list of lettering elements. Auto density will determine the density changes for you. To implement the Auto-Density function, left click in the box. Click again to remove the check mark which turns Auto-Density off.
Density: refers to the space between each line of stitching. When this space is decreased, the lines of stitching per inch increases. To create more lines of stitching per inch, decrease the density value. A general rule of thumb is:
As design size increases, density value should decrease.
As design size decreases, density value should increase.
The default Density setting is 4 points.
Refer to the following density conversion chart for further information:
Save As Default: Anytime that you change a setting or settings and press the Save As Default button your changes will be saved. Even if you exit out of Letera and get back in again, your default settings will be saved.
Short Stitches: When digitizing columns, particularly letters or numbers, stitches will build up on the inside of a sharp arc or turn in the design. This build-up often causes thread breaks because stitches begin to fall on top of each other at the same location. Even if thread breaks don't occur, the look of the stitching may not be ideal. Using the short stitch option prevents this build-up by inserting shorter stitches throughout the curve or turn making it a much smoother transition. The software determines where short stitches should be inserted based on the relative length of the sides of a column segment, their length as a percentage of the actual distance across the column, and how many will be generated between any two normal length stitches as shown in the example below.
The default setting is for short stitches to be On since short stitches will only be generated where the software determines short stitches will be needed to prevent stitches on top of stitches. If you would like to turn short stitches Off, left click in the box next to the short stitches option.
Stitch Type: You have the option of choosing from four different stitch types which are Satin, Fill, E Stitch, and Zigzag
Underlay: Underlay is used to help keep the material from stretching or distorting during the top stitching process and to hold the stitches out of the nap of the fabric. The Primary Underlay is the first underlay that will stitch out. Secondary Underlay may be selected as well if you would like two types of underlay. There are three types of underlay:
Center Walk Underlay: is a walk stitch down the middle of the column. After selecting a center walk underlay, you have the option to change the stitch length. The default stitch length is set at 30 points.
Edge Walk Underlay: is a walk stitch that runs along the edge of the column. After selecting an edge walk underlay, you have the option to change the stitch length and the percentage of the column width where you would like the edge walk to appear. The default stitch length is set at 30 points. The default width percentage is set at 80%.
Zigzag Underlay: is a walk stitch that zigzags from left to right down the length of the column. After selecting a zigzag underlay, you have the option to change the stitch length and percentage of the column width where you would like the underlay to appear. The default stitch length is set at 10 points. The default width percentage is set at 80%.
Underlay is available for Satin, Fill, and Zigzag type columns.
Width: You can change column width by percentage. The default setting for column width is 100%, which can also be referred to as actual size. To make columns bigger, choose a percentage over 100%. To make columns smaller, choose a percentage below 100%.
Anytime that you are in a property page, you can click "Apply" after making a change and it will immediately apply your change. The advantage of using "Apply" verses clicking "OK" after a change is that you can apply your changes and still move on to making other changes. Once you click on "OK", your changes will be applied and the property dialogues will close and you will be back at the View Window. You can also click "Cancel" and the property dialogues will close without implementing the last change.