So I received several good questions from a contact via the BLOG about digizing in Illustrator. This whole topic is miltu-faceted. So I thought is might be useful to all you to read the questions, and my answers. ;-)

ORIGINAL QUESTIONS:

... Basically my question is with the DXF plug-in. I downloaded it and am on the 30 try trial but got concerned with the license agreement that popped up. It reads something about not using the product for profit.  That concerns me since even if I never sell a design, I'm obviously putting it on quilts that are for profit. Did you notice that and if so, decide maybe they just mean not converting files for someone else for profit?  Tad concerned on that because I try to keep above board as much as possible.

My second question that has come up since then is whether you've seen any of the polyline issues that people have complained about if you use illustrator?  Esp. in light of your later posting about setting the plug-in to polylines?  I'm talking about the e2e drifting that goes on (I see it a ton with older patterns -- and in fact am fighting with a quilt right now that is misbehaving because of that issue).

I am just now learning Illustrator and I love the ease of drawing and creating (esp. if I can do away with triple clicking and things like that), so am hoping this plug in is the answer (I take it you haven't found any other plug-in that does the same thing?).

[Name withheld]

MY FIRST RESPONSE:

... As to your questions...

1) The files created with the help of the plug-in are then modified further with other software (CS or Art 'n Stitch or AutoSketch). Therefore I would imagine that any license restrictions in using the plug-in wouldn't apply. But you have a valid concern. I have contacted the company that makes the plugin and will let you know what answer they give me. [See below for the company's response]

2) The issue of arc vs poly-line has been a big issue, and still is in debates over Illustrator and Art n Stitch. In the vast majority of cases with the hundreds of patterns I have been apart of creating, I have not found the issue to impact the quality of the patterns beyond file size. Poly-line definitions are larger that arc/line ones. The question comes down to pros and cons of various drawing software. AutoSketch creates patterns that are most friendly with the Statler system because Denis Engdal, Paul Statler, and Matt Sherman have used the software as a reference when creating PrecisionStitch and CreativeStudio. However - as you have mentioned - AutoSketch is not as robust with it comes to illustrations. In truth, I find myself moving between AutoSketch, Illustrator, and Art 'n Stitch throughout my digitizing processes - utilizing the software that has the best strength in what I am trying to accomplish.

Pattern drift can be caused by factors beyond the pattern quality. A system's belts and pully's can slip if not properly adjusted. I know that various bugs in the software have been suspected to cause it, also - although the latest version of CS should no longer have that issue. So be forewarned that drift could possibly be unrelated to the pattern - FYI.

Okay.. so back to the meat of your question... will using EXDXF-Pro and/or polylines create drift. The short answer is not necessarily. I have create plenty of patterns will no problem whatsoever in any of the three programs. I have however experienced Illustrator "cracking" the file either while editing, or in the export process. I can't say why this happens - since so far I haven't had it be consistent enough. Illustrator has the 'smart guides' to help snap things back together, but 'SNAP'ing is definitely one of AI's weaknesses. In extreme cases, I had to take the resulting DXF from AI and fix it in AutoSketch. I am still working on answers to the why.

So why bother using AI, if you might have these problems? Well... AI can twist, morph, stretch, etc.. in ways that will never be possible in Art n Stitch or AutoSketch. So if I desire an effect, I must use it. remember, that AI is all about layering objects to create an effect. Illustrators don't care if the endpoints are exact. That will be an eternal struggle when using it for digitizing patterns. There are many other tools that exist and are being created to help make AI a better Technical Illustration tool. Follow this link to a list of many on Adobe's website.

So.. should you drop the $90 on a plugin? I use it all the time, with varying degrees of success - mostly good. It isn't perfect, and there will never be one, unless some enterprising person creates one for pattern digitizing. But I think it is the best I have used so far. I would be interested in hearing about any of your experiences as you learn what works for you.

MY SECOND RESPONSE

I was thinking about my message and figured I had more to say... lol.

What is your ultimate goal with the tools?  The plugins and settings and procedures differ depending on what you are doing. My workflow consists of the following:

1) Pattern created with longarm in freehand, pencil and paper, or wacom tablet and Illustrator. If created on the longarm or with paper, the image is scanned in and traced in Illustrator is lines and curves. [Making additions and modifications as I go.]

2) I use the tool from rj-Graffix.com called 'Concatenate' - to check that lines are connected. Similar to the Trim-Join command in AutoSketch. That plug in is only $20. He has others.. like one that gives better cutting tools. [Making modifications to connections as I go. I run the plug-in at around 3pts. You'll understand if you try to use it. I keep at it, until the entire pattern is one piece.]

3) I go to Art 'n Stitch next. This actually does better without using the EXDXF-Pro plugin. I just use the built in AutoCAD dxf export option (ensuring I choose the R13 version).

4) This imports into Art 'n Stitch and then I save to a QLI files. [Making additions and modifications as I go in here too, before exporting it.]

This may seem like a lot of steps, but this workflow provides the flexibility to add design elements, texture, etc... in any way my imagination can come up with. ;-)

Here's my dialog with the creators of EXDXF-Pro about the license agreement:

MY QUESTION:

Hello, I have a question about your EXDXF-Pro plugin. I write a technical blog about using software with industrial sewing equipment. Your plugin looks like the right fit for getting .ai files into a DXF format that our machine use.

There files we create with your plug in create patterns that are sold to other users and create sewn projects that are made as a paid service.

What are the license restrictions on the file create using your plugin?

THEIR RESPONSE:

Dear Mr.Todd Fletcher,

This is Mayo Sekiguchi with BabyUniverse,Inc.
Thank you for your interest in our products.

Our plugins(including EXDXF-Pro3) are able to be used for commercial usage unless you resale the product itself. (Please note that we are free from any responsibility for the products you created with our plugins.)

We hope that our products help your work to be more creative!

Thank you.

Best Regards,
Mayo Sekiguchi

=======================================================================
BabyUniverse, Inc.

5F F.I.C Kugenuma Bldg., 1-1-2 Kugenuma Tachibana, Fujisawa City,
Kanagawa Pref., 251-0025, Japan

E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

So... That is the jist of that. I've love to hear comments to this blog entry about other ways you have discovers that work for digitizing patterns. :-)