Convert an image to an embroider file free
It would be great to be able stitch a picture of your loved one with an embroidery machine. You can, you know what? It is possible. It is possible to convert images to embroidery files using inexpensive, or even free software. Grab your iPhones, grab some photos and I will show you how. Fair warning: Converting an image, such as to JPG, is not like hitting a button. There are a few things to consider and some images may be more difficult to convert to an embroidery file than others.
Before I explain how to convert an image (like JPG) into an embroider file (like a DST, JEF or etc ….)), It is more complicated than just clicking the “convert” button. First, let me explain how images differ from embroidery files. Next, I’ll explain how to convert this type of file using some inexpensive (and sometimes even free) embroidery digitizing software.
Check out the blog: How to PNG to PES converter
What is an image?
Yes, I do. We all know what an “image” is. It is a photograph of something. But, until the 1980s most people thought of pictures as something we had in our hands after they were developed at the local camera shop.
We are now more used to seeing images on screens, regardless of whether they are on a tablet or a phone. And this information must be stored on all our devices so that the device can display them. Computers save images as pixels (like JPGs). A pixel stands for “picture element”. Zoom in on any image to see all the pixels.
An image can contain millions of pixels of different colors. The majority of monitors can support more than 24 million colors, so you can have a lot of colors in your pixels! Pixel-based images capture photo realism well because there are so many possible colors for pixels.
JPGs
JPGs (or JPEGs), are the most popular pixel-based file format. JPGs are the most common format for transferring images from your phone to your PC. JPGs are very popular because they include compression. They are also much more high quality than their uncompressed counterparts. They can also be viewed in a web browser, which is another reason they are so popular.
GIFS and the PNGS
GIFs, PNGs and other pixel-based images are also common. These images can also be converted to embroidery files. They have different properties than JPGs. Both PNG and GIFS files can have transparent backgrounds. JPGs do not support transparent backgrounds. If you wish to remove the background from an image before converting it into an embroidery file you will need to save it either as a GIF file or a PNG. Below are more details about how to remove the background from an image.
GIFs are different from PNG files because they only support 256 colors. A GIF file can be used to reduce the number of colors in an image. Why would you choose to have fewer colors? When you convert an image to an embroidery file, there are fewer thread color variations.
Check out the blog: Used embroidery machines: where to buy and should you?
Images based on vectors
Vector-based images are completely different from pixel-based pictures. Pixel by pixel, a pixel-based picture is stored on the computer. This is a lot of information. Pixel-based images can produce photo realistic graphics due to their nature. Vector-based images are stored on the computer in points and directions lines (vectors). Based on the data, the computer generates images. You can scale up vector-based images and they will look crisp and clean at all sizes.
Vector-based images have the disadvantage of being composed of flat colors. Vector-based graphics are cartoonish and not photo realistic.
Vector-based images are easier to convert into embroidery files. The embroidery software can identify distinct colors and allow you to create stitch areas. (See how I imported a SVG file into SewArt to create an embroidery file.
However, pixel-based images can be imported into embroidery digitizing software. All the software sees is pixels. Vector-based images are much easier to convert to an embroidery file. If you want to convert a photo into an embroidery file, you’ll need to take steps to reduce the amount of colors so they behave more like vector-based graphics.
There are many vector-based images available, including EPS, AI and SVG. SVG is the most easily integrated into most digitizing software.
What is an EMBROIDERY FILE and how do you use it?
A embroidery file is different from both vector-based and pixel-based graphics in many ways. To allow the embroidery machine to stitch the embroidery file, the following information must be included:
- Different color areas
- Type of stitch ( satin or fill stitch) with fill pattern around the colors.
- Stitch angle
- Each element has a start and an end point for stitching.
- Stitch density
- Stitch order
You can see now why it is not possible to just click one button and convert a photo to an embroidery file. The information in embroidery files is different from pixel-based and vector-based graphics.
Although embroidery files can be either vector-based or pixel-based, they are available in many file formats. Each type of embroidery machine can read a specific format. Brother machines can read PES files, for example. When you convert a photo into an embroidery file you will need to save it in a format your machine can read.
PIXEL-BASED GRAPHICS VS. VECTOR-BASED GRAPHICS VS. EMBROIDERY FILES
| Pixel-based graphics | Vector-based image | Embroidery file |
| Contains millions of colors of pixels | Comprised of solid areas of color | Areas and paths of stitches of different types in different order. |
WHERE TO FIND IMAGES SUITABLE FOR CONVERTING INTO EMBROIDERY FILES
There are many ways to get images that you can convert into embroidery files. Your phone can be used to take a photo of your friend, child or pet and turn it into an embroidery design. You can also scan a photo you have already printed.
Any image from a website can be taken and converted into an embroidery file. This is okay for personal use, but not recommended if you’re creating embroidery designs to sell.
You might lower the resolution of any image before you import it into your digitizing software. Sometimes, the software won’t work well with high-resolution images. There are many free tools online that will allow you to change the size of a pixel-based images such as: https://www.reduceimages.com/.
What is EMBROIDERY DIGITIZING?
Digitizing refers to the creation of an embroidery design with software that is specifically designed for this task. Digitizers often start a design by adding an image to the background. The software allows the digitizer to define shapes, lines, etc. and apply different stitch types to those lines and shapes.
The software allows digitizers to either digitize the design manually or use the autodigitizing features to convert the image into an embroidery design.
What JPGS types are easiest to convert to embroidery files?
Remember that it is more difficult to make an embroidery design from images with multiple colors. Each color must be stitched using a different colored thread. Images that depend on a wide range of colors will not work well as embroidery designs.
JPGs are more difficult to convert into embroidery files than other pixel-based images. JPG images that have fewer colors than are intended to be photorealistic will be easiest to convert to embroidery files. Because they contain large areas of solid color, the embroidery software is able to recognize them as solid fills.
Photorealistic images will have less detail than those with more detail. Consider how easily this image will be recognized if you reduce the number colors.
BEFORE CONVERTING AN IMAGE INTO A EMBROIDERY DESIGN, REMOVE THE BACKGROUND.
Before you can convert an image to embroidery files, you might want to get rid of the background. You can do this by clicking on the subject of the image and then deleting the background with a program such as Photoshop.
Or, you can use this (incredibly awesome) free tool to do the job for you: https://www.remove.bg/
This web-based tool can remove background images from images. This is an excellent first step to convert your image into embroidery designs.
This free tool will remove the background and save it as a.png file. This is one of the two image types that support transparent backgrounds, as I have already mentioned.
HOW TO CONVERT A IMAGE TO EMBROIDERY FILE (WITH DIFFERENT EMBROIDERY SOFTWARE TYPES)
Nearly every embroidery digitizing program can convert an image into embroidery designs. SewArt or Inkstitch however, are the most affordable and available options.
Method 1: Use SewArt to convert JPGs to PESs
SewArt allows you to create embroidery designs using both vector-based and pixel-based graphics.
Click the image to enlarge
Before you start to get too far in this process, it is a good idea to make a duplicate of the image that you intend to use. Because SewArt can save both an image and an embroidery design, Any changes to an image to reduce its number of colors may be made over to the original image. Before you start, it is always a good idea to make a duplicate.
Reduit the color
Sewart has a variety of tools that will help you reduce the amount of colors in your images. Posterize is a great tool to eliminate speckles in your image and make it flat.
You may need to reduce the color count further after you have reduced the amount of colors in your photo. You can combine different colors using the Merge colours feature
Use the pencil tool to make your shapes connected. The background was white so I added a little more color to the jacket and beard.
The paint bucket tool was used to color the background with a solid contrast color. I made the background bright pink to distinguish it from the rest.
I switched to stitch mode, and began to define the different areas of stitch based on the colors that I had chosen.
Finally, I saved my design to an embroidery file.
Check out the blog: What is the best machine embroidery thread
Method 2: Use Inkstitch for converting a JPG into a PES
Inkstitch plug-in is for Inkscape, a vector-based drawing program that can convert vector-based files into embroidery designs. Read more about Inkscape. Inkstitch is a complicated program that I have used for quite some time. After some trial and error, I was finally able to convert my image into an embroidering design. Although I didn’t have as much control in Sewart, I was able convert my image into an embroidery file with this software and a few other online resources.
Step 1: Convert JPG into PNG
To remove the background from the JPG, use remove.bg and save it to a PNG file.
Step 2: Convert PNG into SVG
Inkstitch uses a vector-based programming model. The first step is to convert your pixel-based image to a vector image. This was done by downloading my PNG file, with the background removed, into a web-based utility called vectorizer.
I was able reduce the number colors by selecting the “Drawing” setting for the original image. Then, I selected “Single” under the filled layers. Finally, I downloaded the SVG file.
Step 3 – Import SVG into Inkscape. Preview and save as an embroidery file
I opened the SVG file in Inkscape.
You can see how Inkstitch will convert your photo into an embroidery file by going to Extensions->Inkstitch-> Simulate.
Go to Extensions->Inkstitch->Embroider to save your embroidery file. You can then choose the file format you prefer. So that my Brother embroidery machine can stitch my design, I was able create a PES file.
Check out the blog: What are machine embroidery file formats?
A few additional questions (and answers) about converting an image into an embroidery design
Can you convert a JPG file to an embroidery file?
Yes. Inkstitch comes with a 100% guarantee. SewArt also offers a free trial with some limitations. SewArt’s trial version will not allow you to export embroidery files with more than 6 colors.
Is it possible to hire someone to convert your JPG into an embroidery file?
Any digitizer should be able convert your image to an embroidery design. Professional digitizers will create an embroidery design that is more like your original photo.
Are there any other embroidery digitizing software that can convert an image into an embroidering design?
Yes! This functionality is available in most digitizing software. This is the simplest and cheapest way to do it.
USA Embroidery Services 