How to Use the Measure Tool for Precise Embroidery Digitizing

The Measure tool is a precise utility that allows you to calculate the distance between any two points within the design area. This is crucial for verifying object dimensions, checking spacing between elements, and ensuring your embroidery design is perfectly scaled before sending it to be stitched.

Step 1: Activating the Measure Tool

You can start the Measure tool in two ways:

• From the Toolbar: Click on the ruler icon located on the left-hand toolbar.
• Using the Hotkey: Press the F9 key on your keyboard for quick access.

Once activated, your mouse cursor will change into a cross (+), indicating that the tool is ready to use.

Step 2: Taking a Measurement

1. Move your cursor to the starting point of your desired measurement.
2. Click and hold the left mouse button.
3. Drag the cursor to the endpoint. As you drag, a line will appear showing the path of your measurement, and the distance will be displayed dynamically.
4. Release the left mouse button to complete the measurement.

Useful Tip: The Measure tool remains active after you release the mouse, allowing you to take multiple measurements consecutively without needing to reactivate it.

Step 3: Deactivating the Measure Tool

When you have finished measuring, you can easily deactivate the tool in one of three ways:

• Right-click once anywhere in the design area.
• Select any other tool from the toolbars.
• Click on the Rectangle Selection tool icon in the convenient flyout that appears while the Measure tool is active.

Additional Sizing and Reference Tools

Beyond point-to-point measurement, DRAWings PRO XII offers other ways to understand the scale of your design.

• Change Measurement Units: You can switch between the metric system (mm, cm) and the imperial system (inches) to work in the units you are most comfortable with. This setting can typically be adjusted in the software’s main options or preferences panel.
• Use the Grid: For a constant visual sense of size and alignment, you can enable the design grid. If the grid is not visible, you can turn it on by navigating to the View menu and enabling the Grid option.
• Check Selection Dimensions: For a quick and easy way to find the total size of an object, simply select it. The overall Width and Height of the selected object (or group of objects) will be automatically displayed on the Tools Options bar at the top of the screen.