Brother CM100DM, CM250, CM550DX, CM554 About

Added Features of Version 1.7

Fonctions supplémentaires de la version 1.7

Características añadidas de la Versión 1.7

Recursos adicionados da Versão 1.7

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Upgraded Operational Features

Grouping/Ungrouping Patterns

Multiple patterns selected in the layout editing screen can be combined into a single group, or that group can be separated into the individual patterns. (Under some conditions, it may not be possible to ungroup patterns. For the conditions where patterns cannot be ungrouped, refer to page 2.)

• Because of changes made to the function, the function name “Unifying” (which unifies patterns), mentioned in the Operation Manual, has been changed to “Group/Ungroup”.

c Touch in the layout editing screen.

■ Grouping Patterns

a Touch in the pattern layout screen.

X The layout editing screen appears.

b Touch , select the patterns to be

grouped, and then touch the “OK” key.

• For details on selecting multiple patterns, refer to “Selecting Multiple Patterns” in the Operation Manual.

X All of the selected patterns are grouped. (The

color of the key changed.)

• The key color indicates how the selected patterns are grouped.

- : Two or more patterns are selected

and can be grouped. When the key is touched, it appears as .

- : The patterns are grouped. (The color

of the key changed.) When the key is touched, it appears as .

- : Since two or more patterns are not

selected, patterns cannot be grouped.

• Patterns cannot be grouped under the following conditions.

- There is not enough of the machine’s

memory available.

- A test pattern is included.

- Patterns with and without seam allowances

have been selected.

■ Ungrouping Patterns

a Select grouped patterns in the layout editing

screen, and then touch

a Selects the patterns in the selection area. b Selects all patterns in the layout.

X The selected patterns are ungrouped. (The color

Memo

of the key changed.)

•If appears when patterns are selected,

the patterns can be ungrouped.

• Grouped patterns are saved as one pattern. When the saved pattern is recalled, it cannot be ungrouped. When saving a pattern that contains grouped patterns, the following message appears.

c Align the patterns.

• The patterns are aligned depending on the key that is touched, as described below.

Original

English

• Patterns cannot be ungrouped under the following conditions.

- The number of patterns after being

ungrouped exceeds the maximum number of patterns possible.

- The pattern was retrieved from the resume

memory after an auto shutdown.

Aligning Patterns

Multiple patterns can be selected and aligned based on their positions or heights.

a Select two or more patterns, and then touch

• For details on selecting multiple patterns, refer to the Operation Manual.

Left

Top

Center

Right

Bottom

Middle

b Touch .

• If three or more patterns were selected, they can be

Note

distributed horizontally (g) or vertically (h).

Original

e Touch the “OK” key to apply the pattern

arrangement.

• Touch to return to the layout editing screen

without applying the pattern arrangement.

■ Centering Two or More Patterns

a Add two circle patterns, and then change the

size of one.

• For details on resizing patterns, refer to “Layout Editing Functions” in the Operation Manual.

Distribute horizontally

• When patterns are distributed, they may extend out the mat. Adjust the pattern positions according to the message instructions.

d Touch the “OK” key to return to the pattern

Distribute vertically

moving screen.

b Touch , then . The screen shown

below appears. After touching and to align the patterns, touch the “OK” key.

X The patterns are arranged.

Specifying “Blade Adjustment Area”

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Note

English

Before cutting out a pattern, this machine performs an automatic blade adjustment, which adjusts the direction of the blade outside of the adhesive area of the mat. A “Blade Adjustment Area” setting for this operation can be selected. Before cutting, the machine will perform an automatic blade adjustment in a random location within the selected area. Blade adjustment is not performed in areas that are not selected.

• The blade adjustment may leave cutting traces in the mat, but this should not affect the quality of the blade or mat.

• When replacing the blade and inserting it into the blade slot of the holder, the direction in which the blade is inserted does not affect the resulting cut. During automatic blade adjustment, the direction of the blade will be adjusted as necessary.

a Touch beside “Blade Adjustment Area” on

page 4 of the settings screen.

• So that blade adjustment is not performed multiple times in the same location, we recommend that “Blade Adjustment Area” be set to the entire area.

Additional Symbols and Special Characters

The following symbols and special characters have been added to the character patterns.

b Touch or to select the blade

adjustment area, and then touch the “OK” key.

• With each press of the left or right arrow key, the size of the blade adjustment area changes by 1/4.

a 1/4 b 2/4 c 3/4 d Entire area

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Importing Designs

Importable File Formats

In addition to the FCM format, files in the following formats can be imported into the machine.

• SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics: vector image format for describing two-dimensional graphics) format. “.svg” data is displayed in the pattern list screen by file name (the actual image cannot be displayed).

• The imported vector graphics will appear in the edit screen after they have been converted. This feature allows you to import only vector data. Image, text, width of the line, gradient, opacity, and any other styles or attributes of line will not be imported.

Error Messages Causes / Solutions

Since the shape was larger than the mat, it was reduced in size when imported.

Some shapes could not be converted.

The data could not be imported. There are too many patterns.

The data is too complicated to be imported.

There are no patterns that can be detected.

If the pattern in the imported SVG file is larger than the mat, the pattern will be reduced to fit the size of the mat. If necessary, in the software used to create the SVG file, edit the pattern to fit the size of the mat.

The imported SVG data contains data that cannot be converted, such as images or text. All other data was read as cutting line data.

The message appears when an SVG file contains 301 or more patterns. In the software used to create the SVG file, reduce the number of patterns.

SVG files containing a complicated pattern cannot be imported. In the software used to create the SVG file, simplify the pattern.

The imported SVG data contains data that cannot be converted, such as images or text.

Color recognition mode has been added to the “Direct Cut” and “Scan to Cut Data” modes. For “SCANNING FOR CUTTING (Direct Cut)” and “CREATING CUTTING DATA (Scan to Cut Data)” in Chapter 4, “SCANNING FUNCTIONS”, of the Operation Manual, refer to the following.

SCANNING FOR CUTTING (Direct Cut)

English

A printed image (paper/sticker), stamped paper or an original hand-drawn illustration can be scanned and its outline can be cut out or drawn. This is useful for scanning images for paper crafts, then cutting them out.

Tutorial 1 - Scanning and Cutting

In this tutorial, we will scan an illustration drawn on paper, then cut around it.

b Press to turn on the machine. c Install the cutting blade holder into the carriage

of the machine.

■ Scanning

Depending on the color of the illustration, it can be scanned in grayscale or color recognition mode.

a Touch the “Scan” key in the home screen to

select the scanning mode.

b Select “Direct Cut” in the scanning mode

selection screen.

■ Preparation

a Prepare the original.

When using the “Direct Cut” mode, use originals like those described below.

• Patterns that are clearly drawn, with no gradation, fading or blurriness

• Not using an extremely intricate design

X A message appears.

c Select the scanning mode according to the

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a b

material to be scanned.

• First, test with grayscale recognition mode. If the desired cutting data is not created, test with color recognition mode.

a Grayscale recognition mode

The cutting data is created after the illustration is converted to grayscale. Scanning in grayscale recognition mode is most appropriate for illustrations with clear outlines or distinct brightness differences. Processing is faster with this mode compared with the color recognition mode. If there are adjacent objects of the same color after an illustration has been converted to grayscale, select the color recognition mode.

Examples of illustrations appropriate for grayscale recognition mode:

Example Result

Outlines that are clear

• The edges of illustrations in a color of the same brightness as their background, as shown below, cannot be detected. In this case, use the color recognition mode.

a Background and illustration in colors with the

same brightness.

b Color recognition mode

The cutting data is created without converting the illustration to grayscale. Creating data in this mode may take longer, depending on the pattern. * The default scanning recognition setting is the

grayscale recognition mode.

Examples of illustrations appropriate for color recognition mode:

Example Result

Illustrations that are the same light color as the background

Illustrations that are the same dark color as the background

d Attach the original that will be scanned to the

mat.

Distinct difference in brightness between background and illustration

• In “Direct Cut” mode, the scanning mat cannot be used.

• Depending on the machine model, the sizes of mats that can be used will differ. Check the “Maximum Scanning Area” under “Machine Information” on page 5 of the settings screen.

• Before attaching the material to the mat, use a corner of the adhesive side of the mat to test attaching it.

e While holding the mat level and lightly

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inserting it under the feed rollers on the left and

right sides of the feed slot, press in the operation panel.

X The “Start/Stop” button in the operation panel

lights up.

English

f Press the “Start/Stop” button to start scanning.

■ Creating Cutting Data

The procedure for creating cutting data differs depending on the mode.

 Grayscale recognition mode

a Check the scanned image, and then touch the

“OK” key.

b In the image trim screen, use the touch pen to

drag to trim the image to the size to be imported.

X If cutting lines are created, the outline of the

scanned illustration will be black.

d Press the “Start/Stop” button to start cutting.

 Color recognition mode

a In the image trim screen, use the touch pen to

drag to trim the image to the size to be imported.

• Touch to change the minimum object size that will be detected and the conversion threshold.

For details, see “Adjusting Image Detection Levels” on page 17.

• Touch or to edit the imported cutting data. For details, see “Advanced Cutting

Functions for “Direct Cut”” on page 9.

c Touch the “OK” key to confirm the trimmed

area.

X Only the cutting lines appear.

• Trimming the image to the desired size can reduce the amount of time required to convert it to cutting data.

b Touch the “OK” key to confirm the trimmed

area.

X The image is converted to cutting data.

c Check the imported image in the image editing

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screen.

X The created cutting data appears as black lines.

a If the cutting lines were not correctly detected,

change the number of colors to be detected. If a color that appears as a single color is detected as separate colors, reduce the number of colors. If adjacent colors with a similar brightness are detected as a single color, increase the number of colors.

original

e Touch the “Cut” key.

X The “Cut” key is highlighted, and the “Start/Stop”

button in the operation panel lights up.

f Press the “Start/Stop” button to start cutting.

Advanced Cutting Functions for “Direct Cut”

b Small unnecessary patterns (dotted lines, etc.)

can be excluded from cutting data. For details, see “Specifying “Ignore Object Size”” on page 17.

c Touch the “OK” key to apply the settings. When

the number of colors is changed, the “OK” key changes to the “Preview” key. After changing the number of colors, touch the “Preview” key to check the results.

• When making a stamp, for example, the image may not be converted to cutting data if it contains a gradation or areas that are only partially filled with a color.

d Touch the “OK” key.

■ Outline Distance

Use this function to cut while adding a margin around patterns. Specify the distance from the cutting line to the outline of the scanned image.

(page 9) in

a Pattern outline b Cutting line c Outline distance

Available in the following screen

→

Image trim screen

Tutorial 1; Stepc (page 8) or Step “Creating Cutting Data”

• Touch or to edit the imported cutting data. For details, see “Advanced Cutting

Functions for “Direct Cut”” on page 9.

X Only the cutting lines appear.

a Touch .

• With grayscale recognition mode

• With color recognition mode

X The settings screen appears.

b Select the shape of the cutting line.

English

X The setting screen appears.

b Touch or to change the setting.

■ Outlining and Framing

Any shape can be specified as the cutting line for the scanned image.

Available in the following screen

→

Image trim screen

a Touch .

• With grayscale recognition mode

Tutorial 1; Stepc (page 8)

or Step

(page 9) in

“Creating Cutting Data”

a Outlining

Touch this key to create a cutting line that follows the outline of the scanned image.

b Frame Shape Scroll Keys

Touch or to scroll up or down through the list of frames.

c Framing

Touch the key for the desired frame to add it to the scanned image and create a cutting line that follows its shape.

• If there are multiple images, a frame can be specified for each image.

d Previewing

Display a preview of the image together with the cutting line for the selected frame.

CREATING CUTTING DATA (Scan to Cut Data)

a b

A printed pattern or image or an original hand-drawn illustration can be scanned, converted to cutting lines for cutting/drawing with this machine, then saved as data.

Tutorial 2- Creating Cutting Data

In this tutorial, we will save an illustration drawn on paper as cutting data.

■ Scanning

a Touch the “Scan” key in the home screen to

select the scanning mode.

b Select “Scan to Cut Data” in the scanning mode

selection screen.

X A message appears.

c Touch , select the scanning mode, and then

touch the “OK” key.

• First, test with grayscale recognition mode. If the desired cutting data is not created, test with color recognition mode.

■ Preparing the material

When using the “Scan to Cut Data” mode, use originals like those described below.

• Patterns that are clearly drawn, with no gradation, fading or blurriness

• Not using an extremely intricate design

a Grayscale recognition mode

b Color recognition mode

Memo

The cutting data is created without converting the illustration to grayscale. Creating data in this mode may take some time. * The default color recognition setting is the

grayscale recognition mode.

d Attach the original to the mat, and then load

the mat into the feed slot.

• Lightly insert the mat into the feed slot, and press in

the operation panel.

English

Examples of illustrations appropriate for recognition mode:

Example

Outlines that are clear

•Distinct difference in brightness between background and illustration

•Different brightness of adjacent colors

• Similar brightness of adjacent colors

Recommended

recognition

mode

Grayscale recognition mode

Color recognition mode

• Depending on the machine model, the sizes of mats that can be used will differ. Check the “Maximum Scanning Area” under “Machine Information” on page 5 of the settings screen.

e Press the “Start/Stop” button to start scanning.

X When scanning is finished, the scanned image

appears in the screen.

• The edges of adjacent colors with the same brightness, as shown below, cannot be detected. In this case, use the color recognition mode.

a “a” and “b” as well as “c” and “d” have the

same brightness.

■ Creating Cutting Data

Memo

The procedure for creating cutting data differs depending on the mode.

 Grayscale recognition mode

a Select the cutting line type in the image editing

screen.

The image shape is detected and cutting lines are created based on one of three standards. For this

example, touch to create cutting lines using region detection.

Difference in cutting lines depending on detection standard

Example 1

Original

lines

Cutting

a Outline detection

b Region

detection

c Line

detection

a Outline detection

If you wish to cut/draw along the outline of an image, select this option to convert the outline of the image to a cutting line. This is useful for saving as data an illustration drawn for an appliqué.

b Region detection

Select this option to detect the colored portions of an image as regions and create a cutting line around each region. Cutouts can be created using thick hand-drawn lines, such as borderlines of images or text illustrations. This option allows you to use not only cut-out patterns but the material from which portions are cut out, such as lace.

c Line detection (Grayscale recognition mode only)

Select this option to detect the center of lines and convert them to a cutting line. This is useful for detecting patterns consisting of multiple pieces and creating cutting lines for each piece.

• Lines thicker than 1.5 mm will not be detected as lines.

after cutting

Finished project

Example 2

a Outline detection

Original

lines

Cutting

after cutting

Finished project

b Use the touch pen to touch and drag it

around the screen to trim the cutting lines to be saved as data, and then touch the “Save” key.

b Region

detection

c Line

detection

Does not apply since there are no outlines for each color in the original.

• Touch to change the minimum object size that will be detected and the conversion threshold.

For details, see “Adjusting Image Detection Levels” on page 17.

 Color recognition mode

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a In the image trim screen, use the touch pen to

drag to trim the image to the size to be imported.

• Trimming the image to the desired size can reduce the amount of time required to convert it to cutting data.

b Touch the “OK” key to confirm the trimmed

area.

Difference in cutting lines depending on detection standard

a Outline detection b Region detection

Original

lines

Cutting

after cutting

Finished project

• Touch to change the number of colors and the minimum object size that will be detected.

English

c Select the detection standard in the image

editing screen.

The image shape is detected and cutting lines are created based on one of two standards. For this

example, touch to create cutting lines using region detection.

For details on the detection standards, see step “Grayscale recognition mode” on page 13.

a Outline detection b Region detection

a in

a If the cutting lines were not correctly detected,

b Small unnecessary patterns (dotted lines, etc.)

can be excluded from cutting data. For details, see “Specifying “Ignore Object Size”” on page 17.

c Touch the “OK” key to apply the settings. When

the number of colors is changed, the “OK” key changes to the “Preview” key. After changing the number of colors, touch the “Preview” key to check the results.

• When making a stamp, for example, the image may not be converted to cutting data if it contains a gradation or areas that are only partially filled with a color.

■ Saving Data

a Select the destination where the data will be

saved.

Select the desired location. For this example, select the machine.

a Machine b USB flash drive

X Touching a key starts saving the data. When the

data has been saved, the following message appears.

■ Recalling Cutting Data

Saved cutting data can be recalled for cutting.

a Attach the material for cutting to the mat, and

then load the mat.

• For details on attaching the material, see “Mat and Cutting Blade Combinations” on page 12 of the Operation Manual.

b Recall the saved cutting data.

• For details on recalling data, follow the procedure under “Recalling” on page 41 of the Operation Manual.

X A preview of the pattern layout appears.

c Edit the cutting data as necessary, and then cut

or draw.

b Touch the “OK” key to finish saving the data.

X The destination memory selection screen appears

again.

c Press in the operation panel to feed out

the mat, and then peel off the original from the mat.

Memo

• Small spots and unwanted lines created during

scanning can be deleted after a scanned image is converted to cutting data.

X After recalling the cutting data into the pattern

layout screen, use the editing functions for selecting the spots to delete. For details on the function, see “Specifying the Selection Area” on page 32 of the Operation Manual.

a Touch for selecting multiple patterns in the

specified area.

b Unwanted spots and lines

X Specify the area of the unwanted spots, and then

touch the “OK” key.

English

X Touch to delete all of the selected spots.

Adjusting Image Detection Levels

The output levels of the scanned image data can be adjusted.

Available in the following screen

→

Image editing screen

Tutorial 2; Stepa (page 13)

or Step “Creating Cutting Data”

(page 14) in

■ Specifying “Ignore Object Size”

Small unnecessary patterns (dotted lines, etc.) can be excluded from cutting data. In the following example, we will scan three images of different sizes (4 mm, 40 mm, 100 mm). This example describes the procedure using the grayscale recognition mode screen of the “Scan to Cut Data” mode.

a Select one of the detection options, and then

touch to display the function selection screen.

1 Cutting line created 2 No cutting line created

X Touch the “OK” key to apply the settings. Touch

to return to the previous screen without

applying the settings.

■ Setting Image Detection Level (Grayscale recognition mode only)

Convert an image with a gradation or shading to a twotone (black and white) image, and then create cutting lines for that image. The image detection level (threshold) can be specified. In the following example, we will scan three images of different tones (light, medium, dark).

a Touch in the function selection screen

to display the setting screen.

b Touch “Ignore Object Size” to display the

setting screen.

c Specify an object size smaller than which is not

to be converted to cutting lines.

a Magnifying b Size Adjustment Keys c Locking/Unlocking the Aspect Ratio

b Specify the threshold for converting an image

to a two-tone image using and .

Cutting line created

1 2 No cutting line created

X Touch the “OK” key to apply the settings. Touch

to return to the previous screen without

applying the settings.

Mémo

Fonctions opérationnelles mises à niveau

Regroupement/Dissociation de motifs

Il est possible de combiner plusieurs motifs sélectionnés dans l'écran de disposition des motifs pour ne former qu'un seul groupe, et de diviser ce groupe pour retrouver les différents motifs qui le composent. (Il est parfois impossible de séparer les motifs. Dans ce cas, reportez-vous à la page 2.)

• Étant donné que des modifications ont été apportées à la fonction « Assemblage » (qui permet d'assembler des motifs) apparaissant dans le manuel d’instructions, cette fonction s'appelle désormais « Regrouper/Dissocier ».

■ Regroupement de motifs

a Appuyez sur dans l'écran de disposition

des motifs.

c Appuyez sur dans l'écran de modification

de la disposition.

X Tous les motifs sélectionnés sont regroupés. (La

touche change de couleur.)

• La couleur de la touche indique de quelle manière les motifs sélectionnés sont regroupés.

- : Deux motifs minimum sont

sélectionnés et peuvent être regroupés. Lorsque vous appuyez sur cette touche, elle

s'affiche sous la forme suivante : .

Français

L'écran de modification de la disposition s'affiche.

b Appuyez sur , sélectionnez les motifs à

regrouper, puis appuyez sur la touche « OK ».

• Pour plus de détails sur la sélection de plusieurs motifs, reportez-vous à la section « Sélection de plusieurs motifs » dans le manuel d'instructions.

a Permet de sélectionner les motifs dans la zone

de sélection.

b Permet de sélectionner tous les motifs de

l'aperçu.

- : Les motifs sont regroupés. (La touche change de couleur.) Lorsque vous appuyez

sur cette touche, elle s'affiche sous la forme suivante : .

- : Étant donné que le nombre de motifs sélectionnés est inférieur à deux, il est

impossible de regrouper les motifs.

• Les motifs ne peuvent pas être regroupés dans les cas suivants.

- La capacité mémoire disponible de la

machine n'est pas suffisante.

- Un motif de test est inclus.

- Des motifs avec et sans rabat ont été

sélectionnés.

■ Dissociation de motifs

a Sélectionnez les motifs regroupés dans l'écran

de modification de la disposition, puis appuyez sur .

X Les motifs sélectionnés sont dissociés. (La touche

Mémo

change de couleur.)

•Si apparaît lorsque des motifs sont

sélectionnés, vous pouvez les dissocier.

• Les motifs regroupés sont enregistrés en tant que motif unique. Une fois le motif enregistré rappelé, il ne peut plus être dissocié. Lorsque vous enregistrez un motif qui contient des motifs regroupés, le message suivant s'affiche.

c Alignez les motifs.

• L'alignement des motifs dépend de la touche sélectionnée, comme décrit ci-dessous.

Original

• Les motifs ne peuvent pas être dissociés dans les cas suivants.

- Le nombre de motifs une fois dissociés

excède le nombre maximum de motifs possible.

- Le motif a été récupéré après la reprise de la

mémoire suite à un arrêt automatique.

Alignement de motifs

Il est possible de sélectionner et d'aligner plusieurs motifs en fonction de leur position ou hauteur.

a Sélectionnez au moins deux motifs, puis

appuyez sur

• Pour plus de détails sur la sélection de plusieurs motifs, reportez-vous au manuel d'instructions.

Gauche

Haut

Centrer

Droite

Bas

Milieu

b Appuyez sur .

• Si la sélection comporte au moins trois motifs,

Remarque

ceux-ci peuvent être répartis horizontalement (g) ou verticalement (h).

Original

Répartition horizontale

Répartition verticale

e Appuyez sur la touche « OK » pour appliquer la

disposition des motifs.

• Appuyez sur pour revenir à l'écran de modification de la disposition sans l'appliquer.

Français

■ Centrage d'au moins deux motifs

a Ajoutez deux motifs circulaires, puis modifiez

la taille de l'un d'eux.

• Pour plus de détails sur le redimensionnement de motifs, reportez-vous à la section « Fonctions de modification de la disposition » dans le manuel d'instructions.

• Lorsque les motifs sont répartis, il est possible qu'ils dépassent du support. Ajustez la position des motifs en fonction des instructions du message.

d Appuyez sur la touche « OK » pour revenir à

l'écran de déplacement des motifs.

b Appuyez sur , puis sur . L'écran ci-

dessous apparaît. Après avoir appuyé sur et pour aligner les motifs, appuyez sur la touche « OK ».

X Les motifs sont disposés.

+ 49 hidden pages

Brother CM100DM, CM250, CM550DX, CM554 About

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Français