Problem: When I try to use the AID feature, it tells me the image has too many colors.

Solution:
Sierra Embroidery Office Design offers a standard feature in all levels called AID (Auto Interactive Digitizing). This feature allows you to load an image in Design and automatically create stitches by pressing CTRL + SHIFT + F12 (at the same time). Normally, this will open a window stating how many colors were found, what color it determined to be the background color and whether or not to create sections for the background color (see below). Clicking OK will start the section and stitch generation for the image.

However, occasionally the software may generate a message stating that the image has too many colors.

This can usually be corrected using the EO Imaging program. A shortcut to EO Imaging is on the toolbar next to the Scan Image and Load Image icons. With the image selected (SHIFT + F2, then click on image), click on the EO Imaging icon. This will open the EO Imaging program.

First, click the Zoom Total icon to view the entire image on screen. Now go to the TOOLS menu at the top of the window. From the drop down list select COLOR PROCESSING, the COLOR RESOLUTION from the next menu. Change the Colors box to 4 or 16 colors, or Black and White if applicable. The fewer the better, as long as you do not omit any colors from the original image. Leave the Dither box set to none and make sure the Palette is set to Optimized. The Preview window on the left will let you know if you have eliminated too many colors. Click OK to execute the conversion.

Before you can return to EO Design, you must first save the image. Click on FILE at the top of the window and choose SAVE AS. In the File name box, type in a name somewhat different from the original (in case you need to re-edit the image in the future). In the Save as type box, click the arrow and choose Bitmap Files (8 bits). AID typically works better with Bitmap files (.BMP). Click SAVE to save the image to the hard drive. Now click the RETURN button on the top toolbar to return to EO Design. Try the AID feature again. If it still finds too many colors, you may have to further reduce the color resolution again using EO Imaging. NOTE: Not all images can be used for AID processing. Typically, scanned images are not ideal for this application. Imported files from Corel or Adobe are the best choices. These programs create better color images than a scanner can create.

 

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