www.images-magazine.com OCTOBER 2026 images 61 TIPS & TECHNIQUES STEP-BY-STEP: MODERN REDWORK I used the Complex Fill and Complex Turning tools to digitise the coloured areas manually. Although these areas can be digitised automatically, I prefer to let the software handle the complex optimisation of the line work while retaining creative control over the decorative fill areas. Spiral, Contour and Accordion Spacing fills were then applied to add depth and dimension, with the Snap to Object feature speeding up the digitising process by automatically snapping input points to existing outlines. Select all embroidery objects (Ctrl+A), then choose the Redwork Tool from the digitising toolbar. The Centreline Trace process automatically recognises the line work and converts it into editable vector outlines while removing the background, shown by the transparent chequerboard pattern. In most cases, the default settings produce the best result, but if areas of the illustration are missing, gradually increase the Detail slider until the required line work is captured. Click OK to accept the trace and return to the main window. Before moving into production, always complete a sew test on a material with similar properties to the final production fabric or product. This allows you to confirm that the design runs smoothly and identify any final refinements. Depending on how the fabric behaves, you may need to adjust pull compensation, stitch density or individual object shapes so that outlines align correctly with the filled areas. This was stitched using a single-head Happy machine from Midwest. Click on a single point within the design to define both the start and finish position. The Redwork Tool then intelligently calculates the most efficient stitch path, ensuring no section of line work is stitched more than two times before returning to the original start point. The number of trims in this example has been reduced from 93 to just one, resulting in a much faster, smoother and more efficient stitch-out. With the traced vector artwork now complete, select Convert Graphics to Embroidery. The software automatically analyses the vector objects and converts them into embroidery objects, ready for further refinement using the Redwork Tool. To add depth with an outline effect, select all embroidery objects (Ctrl+A), then choose Backstitch from the Outlines toolbar. Compared with a standard Run stitch, Backstitch adds greater depth and visual interest while accurately following intricate curves. Stitch length, thickness, overlap and the number of strokes can all be adjusted – for this design, the default settings produced an excellent result. After converting the vector artwork, the software generates an initial embroidery design. Switch off the Bitmap, Vector and TrueView display options to clearly view the stitch paths, tie-in points (red circles) and trims (red triangles). The Design Information panel shows there are 93 trims – the Redwork Tool will reduce this number. Import your artwork into the CorelDraw workspace integrated within Wilcom EmbroideryStudio 2026, then resize it to the final embroidery dimensions before tracing. With the image selected, choose Trace Bitmap > Centreline Trace > Line Drawing to convert the line art into clean, editable vector outlines. Clean outlines, clear shapes and simple colour regions produce the best results when using Wilcom’s automatic digitising features. 2 5 1 3 6 8 9 4 7
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