Brother BES-100E Operation instructions

Getting Started
■
Chapter 1: General Information.......................................... 2
Creating a new file................................................................. 2
Resuming a halted exercise.................................................. 2
Zooming ................................................................................ 2
Displaying the entire design .................................................. 2
Displaying the Properties dialog box..................................... 3
Entering multiple lines of text ................................................ 3
Viewing a sewing simulation ................................................. 3
■
Chapter 2: Main Window..................................................... 4
■
Chapter 3: Move Tool ( )............................................... 7
Selecting design shapes ....................................................... 7
Moving and resizing design shapes ...................................... 7
Deleting design shapes......................................................... 9
■
Chapter 4: Reshape Tool ( )....................................... 10
Selecting punchpoints ......................................................... 10
Moving punchpoints ............................................................ 11
Deleting punchpoints........................................................... 11
Correcting a “bow tie”.......................................................... 12
■
Chapter 5: Rotate Tool ( )........................................... 13
■ Chapter 6: Measure Tool ( ) ....................................... 14
■
Chapter 7: Needles (Thread Color) Palette ..................... 15
Changing the thread color of a design shape...................... 15
Changing a thread color...................................................... 15
Adding a thread color .......................................................... 15
Changing the available thread colors in the master palette .. 16
Creating and Editing Designs
■
Chapter 8: Gallery Button................................................. 17
Creating a text shape .......................................................... 17
Changing the font................................................................ 18
Changing the shape of the text ........................................... 19
Changing the text color ....................................................... 19
Moving the text shape ......................................................... 19
■ Chapter 9: Lettering Palette.............................................. 20
Creating a text shape .......................................................... 20
Adjusting the parameters .................................................... 20
Using the Simple Text tool ( )....................................... 21
Changing the font................................................................ 21
Using the Monogram Text tool ( )................................. 21
Changing the font of monogram text................................... 22
Using the Flat Top Arch Text tool ( )............................. 23
Using the Flat Bottom Arch Text tool ( ) ....................... 23
Using the Double Arch Text tool ( ) .............................. 24
Using the Single Arch Text tool ( )................................ 24
Using the Circular Text tool ( )...................................... 25
Changing the text position relative to the baseline.............. 25
Changing the position of the bottom text line...................... 26
Using the Arc Text tool ( )............................................. 26
Using the Arc by Circle Text tool ( ).............................. 27
Using the Arc Vertical Text tool ( )................................ 28
Using the Slant Text tool ( ).......................................... 28
Using the Step Text tool ( )........................................... 29
■
Chapter 10: Aligning Text ................................................ 30
■
Chapter 11: Kerning ......................................................... 31
Changing the kerning uniformly between all characters...... 31
Changing the kerning between specific characters............. 31
Example
■
Chapter 12: Multiline Spacing ......................................... 33
■
Chapter 13: Multipass Stitching...................................... 34
Example
■
Chapter 14: Templates ..................................................... 35
Creating a template............................................................. 35
Entering template text data ................................................. 35
Editing template text data.................................................... 35
Saving the template data..................................................... 36
Previewing templates.......................................................... 36
Saving the template text shape........................................... 36
Outputting a design containing templates........................... 37
■
Chapter 15: Fill-Stitching ................................................. 38
■
Chapter 16: Deconstructing Text .................................... 39
Deconstructing text.............................................................. 39
Changing the text properties of an individual character...... 39
Example
■
Chapter 17: Deforming Text Shapes............................... 41
Example
■
Chapter 18: Converting Text Shapes to Graphic
Shapes (Paths and Regions) ...................... 43
Example
■
Chapter 19: Flipping Design Shapes .............................. 45
Flipping graphic shapes ...................................................... 45
Flipping text shapes ............................................................ 45
Example
■
Chapter 20: Shapes Toolbar............................................ 47
Using the Manual Stitch tool ( ) .................................... 47
Using the Path tool ( )................................................... 47
Using the Column tool ( ).............................................. 48
Using the Region tool ( )............................................... 49
Using the Simple Polygon tool ( )................................. 49
Using the Complex Polygon tool ( ).............................. 50
Contents

■
Chapter 21: Inserting a Polygon Hole.............................. 51
Example
■
Chapter 22: Points Palette................................................ 53
Using the Points palette ...................................................... 53
Changing the type of line connecting punchpoints.............. 54
■
Chapter 23: Navigating the Design.................................. 55
Navigating through the design............................................. 55
Selecting alternating punchpoints ....................................... 55
■
Chapter 24: Punchpoints Drop-Down Menu................... 57
Inserting punchpoints .......................................................... 57
Splitting manual stitches...................................................... 57
Setting entry and exit points................................................ 58
■
Chapter 25: Trims and Connections................................ 59
Specifying character connections........................................ 59
Specifying design shape connections ................................. 59
■
Chapter 26: Opening, Outputting, Importing
and Exporting a Design ...............................60
Understanding file types...................................................... 60
Opening a file ...................................................................... 60
Opening a stitch file............................................................. 60
Opening a non-DOS file ...................................................... 61
Displaying multiple files at the same time............................ 61
Outputting a design ............................................................. 61
Importing a file..................................................................... 62
Exporting a design............................................................... 62
■
Chapter 27: Using the “Sample” Folder.......................... 63
■
Chapter 28: Design Library............................................... 64
Searching the design library................................................ 64
Synchronizing the design library ......................................... 65
Loading designs from a CD-ROM ....................................... 65
Specifying search criteria for a design ................................ 65
■
Chapter 29: Cutting, Copying and Pasting ..................... 67
Copying or cutting design shapes ....................................... 67
Pasting design shapes ........................................................ 67
Example
■
Chapter 30: Pasting to Change the Sewing Order ......... 70
Example
■
Chapter 31: Showing and Hiding Parts of the Design ... 72
■
Chapter 32: Grouping and Ungrouping Design
Shapes ...........................................................73
Grouping design shapes ..................................................... 73
Ungrouping design shapes.................................................. 73
Example
■
Chapter 33: Merging a Design.......................................... 76
Example
■ Chapter 34: Memorizeand Recall Settings..................... 78
Memorizing settings............................................................. 78
Recalling settings ................................................................ 78
Performing maintenance on the memorized settings.......... 79
■
Chapter 35: Programmable Stitches................................ 80
Creating a new programmable stitch................................... 80
Example
Using a programmable stitch............................................... 81
Performing maintenance on the programmable stitches..... 82
■
Chapter 36: Converting to STB (Stitch to Block)
Settings ......................................................... 83
■
Chapter 37: Review – Creating the Dog Club Design.... 84
■
Chapter 38: Review – Creating the Wedding Bell
Catering Design ........................................... 86
■
Chapter 39: Changing the Background.......................... 88
Changing the background color .......................................... 88
Displaying a background image.......................................... 88
■
Chapter 40: Setting Up the Printout Page ...................... 89
■
Chapter 41: Viewing the Software Upgrade Notes ........ 90
Glossaries
■
Chapter 42: BE-100 Tools and Terms............................. 91
BE-100 tools........................................................................ 91
BE-100 terms ...................................................................... 93
■
Chapter 43: Glossary of Embroidery Terms .................. 98
■
Chapter 44: Glossary of Embroidery Machine
Terms .......................................................... 104
Compatibility and Backing Charts
Compatibility...................................................................... 106
Backings............................................................................ 108
Troubleshooting
Thread breaks................................................................... 109
Needle cuts holes in garments.......................................... 110
Stitches do not form .......................................................... 110
Needle breaks................................................................... 111
Skipped stitches................................................................ 111
Puckering .......................................................................... 111
Design out of register........................................................ 112
Metallic thread................................................................... 112
Tool box............................................................................. 112

1
The Brother BE-100 embroidery software provides numerous functions for easily creating and manipulating
stitch and outline files, which can then be embroidered.In addition to creating your own original files, you can
open or import, then edit stitch and outline files in a large range of formats.Your custom-made designs can be
output or exported in a variety of formats for embroidering on almost any type of machine.
The BE-100 software is available in five levels, each providing increasingly advanced features:
◆
Basic lettering level
◆
Editing level
◆
Digitizing level
The most basic of the five, the basic lettering level, allows even beginning embroidery designers to add
lettering of various shapes and styles to create an original pattern.
Some features of the Advanced lettering level let you do the following:
◆
Automatically generate underlay
◆
Automatically save work at predetermined intervals
◆
Automatically re-center the design after text is added or designs are merged
◆
Classify designs and search them according to keywords, customer name or other conditions
◆
Save custom fabric, text effect and stitch settings, and recall them for later use
◆
Select from 32 pre-programmed text shapes in addition to 12 text tools that allow for more flexible lettering
◆
Break a string of text into its individual letters, each of which can be manipulated separately
◆
Convert text shapes to another shape, or distort them freely
◆
Align text at the left, in the center, at the right, or set it to fill the baseline by adjusting character shape or
spacing
◆
Use multiple name-drops, either together with or without designs, by using templates
◆
Easily access the more common functions with preprogrammed speed keys
◆
Automatically correct stitches imported from either short or long stitch files
At the editing level of the software, more graphics and text settings can be specified, and individual punchpoints
can be entered.In addition to the functions available in the advanced lettering level, the editing level allows you
to do the following:
◆ Convert text shapes into paths and regions in order to manipulate their individual punchpoints
◆
Change the sewing order of the design by pasting selected sections before or after other sections
◆
Edit individual stitches by deleting, moving or inserting punchpoints before or after specific points
◆
Change graphic shape properties (such as density, pull compensation, and underlay)
◆
Choose from 25 pre-programmed specialty stitch designs for each stitch type:run, satin and fill
◆
Edit the pre-programmed run, satin and fill stitch patterns, or create new ones
◆
Edit stitch designs as easily as outline designs
◆
Manually add individual stitches to a design by using the Manual Stitch tool
◆
View the sequence of color changes in the design
◆
Group sections of stitching together or separate them
◆
Automatically create borders of run or satin stitches around shapes
The most advanced of the three, the digitizing level, includes features that simplify complex digitizing opera-
tions.In addition to offering the functions available in the advanced lettering and editing levels of the software,
this level enables you to perform the following procedures.
◆
Customize keyboard shortcuts by using the programmable speed keys
◆
Import graphics in the most common file formats
◆
Create complex polygons (i.e., fill stitch areas with holes of any shape)
◆
Create run, satin and fill stitch patterns
◆
Convert some stitch files back to outline files so certain properties, such as the density, can be changed
◆
Convert stitch types (i.e., from satin to fill or from column to running, and vice versa)
◆
Choose from a library of standard pre-programmed stitches, such as the 2-ply stitch and the bean stitch
Introduction

2
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
PLEASE READ BEFORE STARTING EXERCISES.
■ Creating a new file
To create a new file containing an empty design area:
1
On the
File
drop-down menu, click
New
.The
Design Info
dialog box appears.
NOTE: A new file can also be created by clicking the
New
button ( ) in the
Ribbon
bar.
2
Specify the desired settings for the new file.
3
Click the
OK
button.A new blank design area appears.
NOTE: To open a design from the “Sample” folder and edit it, see chapter 27.
■ Resuming a halted exercise
If you hear a “beep-beep”sound and are not able to continue the exercise, a punchpoint may have been mis-
placed somewhere in the design area.Press the Backspace key to delete this point.If there are several mis-
placed punchpoints, continue pressing the Backspace key until all misplaced punchpoints are deleted and
you are able to continue with the exercise.
■ Zooming
To enlarge (zoom in on) a specific area of the design:
1
Click the
Zoom
tool ( ) in the
Stock
toolbar.
2
Move the pointer near the area to be enlarged, and then, while holding down the left mouse button, drag
the pointer over the desired area.
3
Release the left mouse button when the area to be enlarged is enclosed in the zoom selection box.
To enlarge the design (zoom in):
◆
Click the
Zoom In
button ( ) in the
Ribbon
bar.
To reduce the design (zoom out):
◆
Click the
Zoom Out
button ( ) in the
Ribbon
bar.
■ Displaying the entire design
To display the entire design (for example, after zooming in or scrolling through it):
◆
On the
Zoom
drop-down menu, click
Fit toWindow
.
Getting Started
Chapter 1: General Information

3
■ Displaying the Properties dialog box
To display a dialog box that allows you to change various settings for the selected design shape:
1
Click the
Move
tool ( ) in the
Stock
toolbar.
2
Click a stitched edge of the shape in the design.“Dancing ants” (moving dashes) appear around the
design shape.
3
Press the Enter key.The
Text Properties
dialog box appears if a text shape was selected, or the
Shape Prop-
erties
dialog box appears if a graphic shape was selected.
NOTE: The
Selection Properties
dialog box, containing settings common to all selected design shapes,
appears if a combination of text and graphic shapes is selected when the Enter key is pressed.
■ Entering multiple lines of text
To type more than one line of text:
1
On the
Text
tab of the
Text Properties
dialog box, select the
Multiline
check box.A check mark will appear.
NOTE: The
Text
tab of the
Text Properties dialog box for the selected text shape can also be displayed by
clicking the Text Properties button in theText bar.
2Click inside theText box. A flashing cursor appears.
3Type the desired text.To create a new line, press the Enter key.
4Click the OK button when you are finished typing the text.
NOTE: Some text shapes cannot display multiple lines of text.
■Viewing a sewing simulation
To view how the design will be sewn:
◆On the View drop-down menu, click Slow Draw.
NOTE: The Page Up and Page Down keys of the keyboard allow you to speed up and slow down the
sewing simulation.
Figure 1:Text Properties dialog box Figure 2: Shape Properties dialog box

4
When BE-100 is started up, a window containing various toolbars, palettes and bars appears.
Refer to the illustrations below to identify the various parts of the window.
Figure 4: Ribbon bar
Figure 5: Text bar
Figure 3
Chapter 2: Main Window
Title bar
Needles
(thread
color)
Pointer
Status bar
Design Reference
window
1Change Needle drop-down list
2Recall drop-down list
3New button
4Open button
5Merge button
6Save button
7Print button
8Output Design button
9Undo button
0Redo button
ACut button
BCopy button
CPaste button
DPreviewTemplates button
EZoom In button
FZoom Out button
GConnectTo Last button
1 2 345678 90ABC D EF G
1Fonts drop-down list
2Font Size drop-down list
3Justification buttons
4Maintain Aspect Ratio button
5Contour buttons
6
Position-relative-to-baseline but-
tons
7Connect Furthest button
8Text Properties button
9Text Effects button
0ConvertTo DeformedText button
ADeconstructText button
12
3
4
56
78
90A

5
Figure 6: Navigation palette
Figure 7: Stock toolbar
Figure 8: Shapes toolbar
Figure 9: Points palette
Figure 10: Lettering palette
1Select-by-number buttons
2Select Shapes button
3Select Color Changes button
4Select Machine Commands button
5
Select Previous & Select Next but-
tons
6Select First & Select Last buttons
7Select Alternating button
8Extend Selection button
23
145 6 78
1Move tool
2Zoom tool
3Reshape tool
4Rotate tool
5Measure tool
6
Pol
yg
on Stitch Direction tool
1
3
5
2
4
6
1Manual Stitch tool
2Path tool
3Column tool
4Region tool
5Simple Polygon tool
6Complex Polygon tool
1
3
5
2
4
6
1Punchpoint Straight tool
2Punchpoint Simple Arc tool
3Punchpoint Fitted Curve tool
1
3
2
4
1SimpleText tool
2MonogramText tool
3FlatTop ArchText tool
4Flat Bottom ArchTexttool
5Double ArchText tool
6Single ArchText tool
7CircularText tool
8ArcText tool
9Arc by CircleText tool
0ArcVerticalText tool
ASlantText tool
BStepText tool
1
3
5
2
4
6
7
9
A
8
0
B

6
Figure 11: Gallery button (and text shape palette)
1Simple rectangle
2Vertical orientation
3Slant up
4Slant down
5Wide left
6Wide right
7Flat top wide left
8Flat top wide right
9Flat bottom wide left
0Flat bottom wide right
AWide top
BWide bottom
CUpper arc
DLower arc
EClockwise circle
FCounter-clockwise circle
GDouble circle
HConvex single arch
IConcave single arch
JWide bottom concave
KWide top concave
LDouble arch
MFlat top arch
NFlat bottom arch
OFootball
PConvex top flat bottom
QSimple flat top arch
RSimple flat bottom arch
SConcave bottom flat top
TConcave top flat bottom
UStep up
VStep down
1 5 9 C G K O S
2 6 0 D H L P T
3 7 A E I M Q U
4 8 B F J N R V

7
This tool is mainly used to select, but also to move and resize design shapes (not individual punchpoints).For
example, you might use the Move tool ( ) to select a shape in order to change its color.
■Selecting design shapes
To select shapes in the design:
1Click the Move tool ( ) in the Stock toolbar.
2Click a stitched edge of a design shape.“Dancing ants” (moving dashes) and a selection frame appear
around the shape to show that it is selected.
3To select additional design shapes, do any of the following:
◆To select shapes that are in sequence, hold down the Shift key and click a stitched edge of the last
design shape in the sequence.
◆To select specific shapes that are not in sequence, hold down the Ctrl key and click a stitched edge of
each additional design shape.
◆To select all shapes in a specific area of the design, drag the pointer over the area containing the
desired shapes, until the selection box encloses them.
NOTE: The buttons in the Navigation palette can also be used to select design shapes. For more informa-
tion, see
Navigating through the design in chapter 23.
To select all shapes in the design, click Select All on the Edit drop-down menu.
■Moving and resizing design shapes
To move selected design shapes:
1Move the pointer over either the selection frame or the“Dancing ants”around the selected design shapes.
The pointer changes to a four-headed arrow ( ).
Figure 12
Chapter 3: MoveTool ( )

8
2Drag the selected shapes to the desired location in the design area.
NOTE: If you do not know how to drag an object, run the Windows 95 tutorial for instructions and practice.
To resize (shrink, enlarge or reproportion) selected design shapes:
1Move the pointer over a handle (small square) on the selection frame around the selected design shapes.
The pointer changes to a double-headed arrow ( , or ).
2Drag the handle to adjust the size of the design shape.
NOTE: Text shapes are always resized proportionately.
If a handle at the top or bottom edge of the selection frame is dragged, the design shape is
resized vertically.If a handle at the left or right edge of the selection frame is dragged, the design
shape is resized horizontally.
To move and resize design shapes with greater precision, select the design shape(s) using the Move tool ( ),
and then follow the instructions in the table below.
NOTE: If Num Lock is turned on, the number keys 2, 4, 6 and 8 of the numeric keypad allow you to “nudge”
(move in small amounts) design shapes down, left, right and up, respectively.
Figure 13
Figure 14
Purpose Action
Tomoveselected designshapes
horizontally or vertically Click the design shape(s), and then, while holding down the Shift key, drag the shape(s).
Tomoveselected designshapes
in grid increments Click the design shape(s), and then, while holding down the Ctrl key, drag the shape(s).
To resize selected design
shapes proportionally Click the design shape(s), and then, while holding down the Shift key, drag a corner handle of the selection frame.
To resize selected design
shapes in grid increments Click the design shape, and then, while holding down the Ctrl key, drag a corner handle of the selection frame.

9
■Deleting design shapes
To delete the selected design shapes:
◆Press the Delete key.The selected shapes are removed from the design.

10
This tool is used to highlight the punchpoints of design shapes, allowing you to select and move the points,
therefore changing the shape of the design. After selecting a punchpoint, it can be deleted, or the commands
on the Punchpoints drop-down menu can be used to insert new punchpoints as well as set entry and exit points.
For more information about the commands available on the Punchpoints drop-down menu, see chapter 24.
NOTE: The punchpoints of text shapes that have not been converted to deformed text can only be used to
move the shape or adjust its parameters (baseline width, height, etc.), but not deform it (i.e., change its
shape). For more information about deforming a text shape, see chapter 17.
To manipulate the individual punchpoints in the outline of each character of a text shape, it must first be
converted to its various paths and regions.For more information about converting text shapes to paths
and regions, see chapter 18.
■Selecting punchpoints
To select punchpoints:
1Click the Reshape tool ( ) in the Stock toolbar.The punchpoints for all shapes within the design appear
in blue.
NOTE: The magenta handles that appear in text shapes are for kerning. For more information, see
Changing the kerning between specific characters in chapter 11.
2Click a punchpoint.The punchpoint changes to light blue when it is selected.
3To select additional punchpoints, do any of the following:
◆To select punchpoints that are in sequence, hold down the Shift key and click the last punchpoint in the
sequence.
◆To select specific punchpoints that are not in sequence, hold down the Ctrl key and click each addi-
tional punchpoint.
◆To select all punchpoints in a specific area, drag the pointer over the area containing the desired
punchpoints, until the selection box encloses them.
NOTE: The buttons in the Navigation palette can also be used to select punchpoints. For more information,
see
Navigating through the design in chapter 23.
To select all punchpoints in the design, click Select All on the Edit drop-down menu.
Figure 15
Chapter 4: ReshapeTool ( )

11
■Moving punchpoints
To move the selected punchpoints:
1Select the punchpoint to be moved, as explained above.
2 Move the pointer over the selected (light blue) punchpoints.The pointer changes to small crosshairs ( ).
3Drag the selected punchpoints to the desired location in the design area.
To move punchpoints with greater precision, select the punchpoint(s) using the Reshape tool ( ), and then
follow the instructions in the table below.
NOTE: If Num Lock is turned on, the number keys 2, 4, 6 and 8 of the numeric keypad allow you to “nudge”
(move in small amounts) punchpoints down, left, right and up, respectively.
■Deleting punchpoints
To delete the selected punchpoints:
◆Press the Delete key.The selected punchpoints are removed.
NOTE: To delete the individual punchpoints in the outline of a character, the text shape must first be con-
verted to its various paths and regions. For more information, see chapter 18.
Figure 16
Purpose Action
To move selected punchpoints
horizontally or vertically Click the punchpoint(s), and then, while holding down the Shift key, drag the point(s).
Tomoveselected punchpointsin
grid increments Click the punchpoint that is to be the reference point, and then, while holding down the Ctrl key, drag the point.

12
■Correcting a “bow tie”
Regions are digitized as pairs of punchpoints (a point and a counterpoint, which appear with a gray line con-
necting them).When deleting punchpoints from a region, either the punchpoint pair or two punchpoints that
are in sequence should be deleted; otherwise, the region will “bow tie”, as shown below.
A “bow tie” also occurs when a punchpoint in a region is moved to the other side of the other punchpoint in
the pair.
To correct a “bow tie”, do any of the following:
◆Delete the remaining point of the pair.
◆Click the Reshape tool ( ), click the punchpoint before the deleted one, and then click Insert Point After
on the Punchpoints drop-down menu to insert a new punchpoint and correct the “bow tie”.Then, move the
newly inserted points to correctly shape the satin stitch.
◆On the Edit drop-down menu, click Undo Delete Points.
NOTE: The last operation performed can also be undone by clicking the Undo button ( ) in the Ribbon
bar.
Figure 17

13
This tool allows you to rotate the various shapes of the design.
To rotate shapes in the design:
1Click the Rotate tool ( ) in the Stock toolbar.
2Click the design shapes that you wish to rotate.“Dancing ants” (moving dashes) and a rotation frame
appear around the selected shapes.
3Do either of the following:
◆Move the pointer over the rotation indicator in the rotation frame.The pointer changes to small
crosshairs with a swirl ( ).Then, drag the rotation indicator to the desired angle.The currently
selected angle appears in the left corner of the status bar.
NOTE: To lock the rotation angle into increments of 45˚, start dragging the rotation indicator, and then
hold down the Shift key.
To set the rotation of the design shape, click outside of the rotation frame.
◆Press the Enter key.The appropriate Properties dialog box appears.On the General tab, type the desired
rotation angle in the Rotation box, and then click the OK button.
Figure 18
Chapter 5: RotateTool ( )

14
This tool is great for measuring the length of a stitch, the spacing between two shapes in a design, or the overall
design size.
To measure the distance between any two points in the design:
1Click the Measure tool ( ) in the Stock toolbar.The pointer changes to small crosshairs ( ) when it is
moved into the design area.
2Click the position in the design that you wish to measure from. A small circle with an X in it appears.
3Click (or drag the line) to the position in the design that you wish to measure to. A line between the two
points appears and the measurement appears in the left corner of the status bar.
NOTE: To keep the measurement line perfectly horizontal or vertical, hold down the Shift key and select
the second point.
To position the end of the measurement line at the nearest grid intersection, hold down the Ctrl
key and select the second point.
NOTE: To erase the measurement line so that other measurements can be taken, press the Backspace key
twice.
Figure 19
Chapter 6: MeasureTool ( )

15
Since each needle is typically threaded with thread of a different color, selecting a different needle changes the
color of the thread.The buttons in the Needles (thread color) palette are used to select the thread color before
adding a new shape to the design or to change the thread color of the currently selected design shape.The Nee-
dles (thread color) palette can contain up to 32 colors.
■Changing the thread color of a design shape
To change the thread color of a shape of the design:
1Click the Move tool ( ) in the Stock toolbar.
2Click a stitched edge of the design shape whose thread color you wish to change.“Dancing ants”(moving
dashes) appear around the shape.
3Do any of the following:
◆In the Needles (thread color) palette, click the desired thread color.
◆In the Change Needle drop-down list in the Ribbon bar, select the desired thread color.
◆Press a number key (1 through 9) on the alphanumeric portion of the keyboard (not the numeric key-
pad) to select the corresponding thread color (1 through 9) in the Needles (thread color) palette.
NOTE: If the desired thread color is not listed, either a listed thread color can be changed or a new one
can be added, as described below.
■Changing a thread color
To change the thread color assigned to a needle:
1Right-click (click the right mouse button) the button for the thread color that you wish to change.The mas-
ter palette, which lists all available colors, appears.
2Click the desired thread color.
3Click the OK button.
NOTE: If a thread color is changed, all design shapes already assigned the old thread color will change to
the new color.
■Adding a thread color
To add a new needle (thread color):
1On the File drop-down menu, click Design Info.The Design Info dialog box appears.
2On the Needles tab, click the Add Needle button to add a new needle.The new needle is given the next
available number.
3In the Master palette drop-down list, select the desired thread color for the new needle.
4Click the Change Color button.
5Click the OK button.
NOTE: Any new needles added with the Design Info dialog box are only available for the current design.To
change the needle colors permanently, click Values for New Designs on the Options drop-down menu.
The Values for New Designs dialog box appears.On the Needles tab, change the needle colors as
desired.
Figure 20
Chapter 7: Needles (Thread Color) Palette

16
■Changing the available thread colors in the master palette
The master palette contains all thread colors that are available with BE-100.The default master palette is the
Madeira color palette (minus a few colors).From the Master Palette tab (of the BES Setup dialog box), new col-
ors can be created and added to the list of available thread colors.
To add a new thread color to the master palette:
1On the Options drop-down menu, click BES Setup.The BES Setup dialog box appears.
2On the Master Palette tab, click the Add button.The Add Master Palette Entry dialog box, a standard Windows
95 color-picker box, appears.
NOTE: To delete the color selected in the Palette entries list, click the Delete button.
To modify the color selected in the Palette entries list, click the Set Color button.The Set Entry Color
dialog box appears.Select the desired color, and then click the OK button.
To rename the color selected in the Palette entries list, type the new name in the Name box, and
then click the Set Name button.
3Do either of the following:
◆Select the desired color from the Basic colors or the Custom colors palettes.
◆Click the Define Custom Colors button to display the color panel. Create the new color, click the Add to
Custom Colors button, and then select the new color from the Custom colors palette.
NOTE: To create a new color, click in the large color palette to change the hue and saturation, and
then move the slider in the color gradient to change the luminescence, or type in values for the
Hue, Sat and Lum settings or for the Red, Green and Blue settings.The new color appears in the
Color|Solid box.
4Click the OK button in the Add Master Palette Entry dialog box.
5Click the OK button in the BES Setup dialog box.
NOTE: Any added colors will be available for future designs.
Figure 21

17
Clicking the Gallery button displays a palette containing 32 preset shapes for arranging text.
The text shapes available with the Gallery button are shown below.
■Creating a text shape
To create a text shape and add it to the design:
1Click the Gallery button. A palette containing samples of the various text shapes appears.
2Click the desired text shape.The Text tab of the Text Properties dialog box appears.
Figure 22
Creating and Editing Designs
Chapter 8: Gallery Button