How to Adjust Stitch Direction with the Stitch Flow Tool – Level Pilot

This tutorial provides a comprehensive guide on utilizing the Stitch flow feature within our embroidery software to precisely control the direction of your stitches. Stitch flow is a specialized operational mode designed to give you creative command over the texture and flow of your embroidery designs. We will walk you through how to activate this mode and select objects to begin adjusting their stitch angles.

1. Overview

The Stitch Flow tool is a specialized operational mode in eXPerience 8 embroidery software designed to give you precise, artistic control over the direction and flow of stitches within an object. By defining custom stitch angles, you can change the texture, add dimension, and create unique visual effects in your embroidery designs. This guide will walk you through how to use this feature on different types of objects.

2. Getting Started: Activating Stitch Flow

Before you can adjust stitch directions, you must activate the Stitch Flow mode.

• Step 1: First, select the embroidery object you wish to edit on the design workspace.
• Step 2: Activate the Stitch Flow mode from your toolbar or menu. The mouse cursor will change to indicate that the mode is active.

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3. Adjusting Direction on Step Objects (Fill Stitches)

Step objects, typically used for larger fill areas, are limited to a single, uniform stitch direction.

• Step 1: Draw the Direction Line With Stitch Flow mode active, move your cursor over the selected Step object. The cursor will appear as if it’s holding a red dot. Click and hold the mouse button, then drag a line across the object in the direction you want the stitches to follow.
• Step 2: Apply the Direction Release the mouse button. The software will instantly regenerate the stitches to match the angle of the line you just drew. Useful Tip: A Step object can only have one stitch direction. If you draw a new direction line, it will automatically replace the previous one.
• Step 3: Edit or Delete the Line
  • To Edit: Click and drag the small dots that appear on the ends of the direction line to change its angle or position.
  • To Delete: Click the ‘X’ icon that appears in the middle of the line. Deleting the line will revert the stitches to their default direction.

![Image placeholder for adjusting stitches on a Step object]

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4. Adjusting Direction on Satin and Piping Objects

Unlike Step objects, Satin and Piping objects can have multiple direction lines. This allows you to create sophisticated, flowing stitches that curve and bend with the shape of the object.

• Step 1: Draw the First Direction Line Click and drag your mouse from one edge of the Satin object to the opposite edge. This line establishes the stitch angle for that specific section of the object.
• Step 2: Add More Lines to Create Flow Continue adding more direction lines at different points along the object. The software will create a smooth transition, or “flow,” of stitches between the different direction lines you set. This is perfect for creating dynamic effects on lettering or complex satin shapes.
• Step 3: Edit or Delete Lines Each direction line can be managed individually.
  • To Edit: Click and drag the dots on the ends of any line to adjust its angle.
  • To Delete: Click the ‘X’ in the middle of any line to remove it. The surrounding stitches will adjust automatically.

Useful Tip: Creating Advanced Effects Use multiple direction lines on Satin objects to manage how light reflects off the thread. This is especially powerful for creating unique Text Art, where you can make different parts of a letter appear to curve or have a distinct finish. Experimenting with line placement is key to mastering this technique.

![Image placeholder for creating flowing stitches on a Satin object]

By following these steps, you can move beyond default settings and take full creative command of your embroidery designs using the Stitch Flow tool in eXPerience 8 embroidery software.