Helpful terms and definitions for CS7.
Angle: Angle will rotate the pattern to the degree you select.
Arc Nodes: Arc Nodes are blue squares. When an arc node is moved, the curvature between the pink squares changes.
Aspect Ratio: Pattern designers determine the pattern size (width and height) which defines the aspect ratio or proportions of the pattern. When a pattern is ‘locked’, the size proportion (Height to Width) is maintained.
Auto Restart: This action will move the head to the location where it stopped moving and prompt you to restart quilting.
Blocks: Blocks usually begin with a boundary. A pattern is then placed in the boundary and stitched.
Borders: Borders begin with defining the size and location of the border. The border and corner patterns are resized, placed, connected and stitched.
Boundary: A boundary is often used to create visual reference, particularly to indicate areas where seamlines may not be perfectly straight, or where a border pattern stopped, and another needs to continue. Boundaries can be converted to patterns or trims, just as trims and patterns can be converted to boundaries.
C Lock (Channel Lock): The channel lock feature will lock the machine across a plain. Channel lock angle determines what plain the machine will be locked in. The C Lock toggle shows if the Channel Locks are on or off as well as the angle the channel locks are set to.
Center Handles: Center Handles are orange. When these are used, the center will stay anchored.
Collection: When patterns have been designated as part of a collection, they can be displayed together.
Controller Definition: These properties are inherited from the defaults. These settings contain ‘factory defaults’ but can be changed at any time.
CreativeStudio: CreativeStudio is the software used with Gammill’s Statler and Statler Ascend computerized quilting systems. Elevate owners can also use the program to edit patterns. CS gives you unlimited possibilities with amazing features including an intuitive design and integrated pattern management.
Designer Nodes: Designer Nodes are a special type that allow changes to the stitching settings. They can be used to change the stitch length (SPI), the stitching speed, or can force a pause in the stitching process, perhaps to allow a thread color change. To create a designer node, right click a pink mode, as above, and type one of the keywords below.
Edge Handles: Edge Handles are purple. When the these are used, the opposite edge will stayed anchored.
Edge-to-Edge: Edge-to-Edge quilting begins with defining the size of the entire space. Multiple patterns are resized and stitched inside that space. Each time the quilt is rolled, the patterns shown on screen are synchronized with new position of the quilt.
End of Pattern: End of Pattern is indicated by the red marker. Patterns can be joined at this point.
Encrypted Patterns: These are pattern files that have been coded with a machine controller serial number or a dongle serial number, so they will run only on that machine. Encryption protects pattern designers by ensuring that people who have purchased one pattern can not make copies and distribute it to others. Encrypted patterns are protected in CS by using special project file types and using special exported pattern file types.
Endpoint Nodes: Endpoint Nodes are pink squares. The beginning and ending of each pattern segment is an endpoint node. Two contiguous segments share a node. The ending node of the first segment is the beginning node of the next segment.
Extend Handles: Extend Handles are the blue squares at the start point and endpoint of a pattern.
Grid: Grid refers to faint grey background grid lines that appear when the Grid button is ON (green). The size of the grid can be adjusted.
Grid Coordinates: This refers to the current location of the machine head, specifically the needle position on the frame. As you move the machine head, the numbers change.
Import Patterns: This function allows you to import patterns you already own or have purchased outside the PatternCloud into your database from within CreativeStudio.
Jump Stitches: Jump stitches are breaks in the pattern indicated by teal markers. These indicate a point at which the pattern will stop stitching and require a tie off before proceeding.
Keypad Window: This window displays the function of the buttons on the six-button machine head keypad.
Machine Keypad: The stitcher features a six-button keypad on the front handles. Many of the features of CreativeStudio can be initiated from the stitcher instead of and/or in addition to using the screen. The function of each button changes by feature, but the labels are clearly displayed on the screen in the Keypad Window.
Margin: Margin is the amount of space allowed between a pattern and the boundary.
Menustrip: Menustrip contains dropdown menus for CS7 commands. In addition, there are icons such as copy and paste. The Menustrip icons can be customized.
Mode Stop: Mode Stop divides the Toolstrip icons. Those to the left of the Mode Stop indicator can be initiated using the keypad.
Nodes: Nodes are an integral part of every pattern and can be displayed when needed. Nodes allow us to adjust small segments of a pattern design.
Pattern Handles: Pattern handles are the boxes and wedge shapes that appear on the edges of your selected pattern. These handles can be used to move and resize your pattern.
Pattern Name: Simply what the file name is for that individual pattern.
Pattern Properties: Pattern Properties include the pattern size, the speed and stitches per inch in which the pattern will stitch, the tie stitches preferences, the margin around the pattern and the angle in which the pattern sits.
Pattern Types: Pattern types are block, edge to edge, point to point, border, corner, text, fill and project. These types cannot be deleted or renamed. However, you can change the type of an individual pattern to any of these types or to no type.
PatternCloud: Gammill offers a free cloud service, PatternCloud.com where you can shop for patterns and keep a secure backup of your patterns.
Patterns Tab: Your Patterns Tab contains all the patterns from your database that have been synced to your CreativeStudio pattern manager.
Point of Origin: Point of origin is the ‘basepoint.” Think of the CAD as a graph with the point of origin as the center with coordinates (0,0). All pattern placement is defined from the center. The point of origin can be anywhere you select but it should be easily repeatable each time you turn on your machine.
Point To Point: Point to Point is a unique process that allows quilting patterns to be placed precisely. A series of points are identified, and CS will stitch one repeat between each consecutive pair of points. The P2P patterns are continuous and have a few restrictions: They must have the start point on the left and the end point on the right. The start and end must be on the same horizontal line when it is designed (not when it is used).
Prompts: Prompts window displays most recent action or instructions.
Properties: Properties are variables that define how a pattern will be stitched. They are determined by an inherited hierarchy.
Quilt Groups: Quilt Groups are the tabbed sections of the CAD (Computer Aided Drawing) screen that relate to different sections of the quilt. They contain all the information (boundaries, reference points, sizing, positioning) needed to stitch a particular area of the quilt. They are easy to create and CS sometimes creates them automatically.
Quilt projects: Quilt projects are technically computer files but figuratively they are more like a binder with tabbed sections that contain all the patterns, imported images, quilt groups, preview areas and notes needed to complete a whole quilt.
Relocate: Relocate realigns the screen image with the quilt position. Whenever the screen and the quilt are out of alignment, you can use Relocate. You may need to use relocate after restarting your machine in the middle of a project. Relocate can also be used to leave E2E mode and finish an overall setup in Repeat Patterns E2E.
Relocate Project Origin: This method allows for drawing a new boundary and does not require the E2E setup change to a Repeat Patterns E2E. Choosing any other option for an E2E will convert the E2E automatic process to Repeat Patterns.
Relocate Shift All to 1 Point: This method will shift every pattern on the screen to 1 point of your choice. This method will change an E2E setup to Repeat Patterns E2E.
Relocate Shift All to 2 Points: This method will shift every pattern on the screen based on two points you select. This is useful when a quilt has to be removed from the machine, then reloaded. This option will allow the patterns to be relocated at an angle. This method will change an E2E setup to Repeat Patterns E2E.
Relocate Shift Selected to 1 Point: This method will only shift or move patterns that are selected. This is a good choice when only one or some patterns need to be moved. You can also use this method to move all the patterns by selecting all patterns.
Repeats: Repeats begin with a reference point. Multiple patterns are placed at that point and stitched.
Restore Default Properties: Restore Default Properties will restore the pattern to its original properties if changes have been made.
Setup: Setup Section allows you to adjust quilt variables, such as the quilt dimensions. This window will appear when you initiate a feature that requires your input.
Speed: Speed is set to a number in the scale of 1 to 20. The default is set to 13. The key is to balance speed and stitch quality.
SPI or Stitches Per Inch: SPI or Stitches Per Inch is the stitch length. The default size is 12 SPI, but stitches can be as small as 20 stitches per inch, up to 4 inches in length. The very large stitches are typically only used for basting.
Stand Alone Mode (SAM): SAM is an important aspect of CS7. It is a copy of the software, without the drivers that control the stitcher. SAM can be used on most computers so you can prepare new CS7 projects on a laptop while your stitcher is quilting. (5)
Start of Pattern: Start of Pattern is indicated by the Green Marker. Patterns can be joined at this point.
Stitchout Any: Patterns set to Stitchout Any can be stitched on any Statler or Elevate by Gammill. These are still sold only for your personal use and are by license not allowed to be shared with others but there is no technical prevention built into the patterns themselves.
Stitchout Machines: Patterns set to Stitchout Machines can only be stitched on a Statler or Elevate registered to the User at the time of purchase.
Stitchout User: Patterns set to Stitchout User can be stitched on any Statler or Elevate while that User is logged into their account.
Stretch Handles: Stretch handles are gray and will stretch the pattern as you drag the handle.
Tabs: Patterns, Store, Projects Tabs allow you to browse through and learn more about patterns in your collection, patterns available for purchase in the PatternCloud Store, and patterns in your project.
Tags: Descriptive tags help you organize and search your patterns.
Tie Stitches: Tie stitches are tiny stitches intended to lock the thread ends and prevent the line of stitching from coming loose. This is the number of tie stitches the machine will take at both the beginning and the end of a line of stitching. Standard tieoffs are made by taking one stitch forward and one back, in place, making a little knot.
Tieoff SPI: Tieoff SPI applies to competitive tieoffs only. Competitive tieoffs are made by taking tiny stitches, all in the forward direction, along the pattern path, minimizing the visual impact.
Toolstrip: Toolstrip contains icons for quilting processes, commands, and tools. The Toolstrip icons can be customized.
Trim: Trim is a special outline that can stop the machine from stitching the patterns in a particular area. It has 2 iterations; Trim Inside prevents the machine from stitching any pattern inside the Trim outline, and Trim Outside prevents stitching outside the Trim outline.
Width and Height: Width and Height control the size of the pattern.
Zoom: Zoom refers to the screen magnification.