Projects/Liberty/Appendix 2

Appendix 2 - Open File Format for Embroidery

Standards

It is proposed that an open format be made available to allow the interchange of embroidery designs.

XML has the potential to be presented in various formats, a web-site could store one file and provide downloads in various embroidery machine formats, as well as, human usable representation of the design.

The document is designed for both embroidery pattern interchange and embroidery design.

Embroidery Pattern Interchange

Embroidery Patten Interchange has to provide:

• information for the user - to allow them to evaluate the pattern
• information for the machine - to allow it to stitch the pattern

The user information often includes:

• size of the embroidery or hoop in terms of width and height in mm or inches
• the time taken in terms of he total number of stitches
• the number of thread changes
• list of thread colours and lengths used
• picture of final embroidery
• other metadata, such as name, modification date and author

The machine information might include:

• suitable hoop specification
• hoop centre and start point
• fabric and needle type
• bobbin thread
• thread colour list
• thread cut and tie-off
• stitch path

Embroidery Design

The user manipulates elements of the design, creating and editing areas of colour

Document Structure

element

hoop

thread

The embroidery element is a container for the other elements. It has attributes for width and height. If no hoop elements are provided, it assumes the role of a hoop.

The hoop element helps divide the design into machine manageable portions.

The thread element can pre-define a thread and contain no stitch instructions or provide thread information for the stitch instructions.