- Previously a paid-for plugin, it was made free to all creatives via the Astute Manager, July 2020 as a way to help the industry in challenging times. The (Astute Graphics) Autosaviour plugin is designed to automatically save your artwork and create backups in Adobe Illustrator at regular time intervals.
- Embroidery i2 is a plugin that allows you create embroidery designs directly within the Adobe Illustrator/CorelDRAW software. Draw or open a vector file, assign a stitch effect, adjust embroidery parameters and you are ready to sew the design on an embroidery machine.
Illustrator Embroidery Plugin Embroidery i2 is plugin software that converts a vector image into an embroidery pattern. The plugin allows you to select individual vector objects within Illustrator and apply embroidery paths and fills, turning the shape into a stitch. Embroidery adobe illustrator, embroidery i2 for adobe illustrator, embroidery. Programs such as Embird, Logic Embroidery Trace or PE-Design can import your Adobe Illustrator vector image and transform it into a pattern that can be used by an embroidery machine. The process is similar to using the Illustrator plugin, in which you select vector objects and choose a type of stitch or stitch pattern for each shape.
How to Create Embroidery Designs on Illustrator
There are thousands of embroidery designs on the internet. But once in a while, you might get some inspiration to create one of your own, and that is where having an embroidery digitizing software comes in handy.
One of the easier and more readily available options you can use is Illustrator. But seeing that not all embroiders are technology savvy, you might need some assistance navigating your way to use Illustrator to create embroidery designs.
You can use Adobe Illustrator to conceptualize digital images on your PC and transfer them to your embroidery machine and finally on an embroidery cloth.
But to use this software, you need a special plugin that works with Adobe Illustrator’s vector graphics.
What is Illustrator Vector Graphics?
Adobe Illustrator’s vector graphic design software is an essential tool used to create vector images on a computer.
Vector images are geometric shapes and lines that are based on mathematical expressions. They have a sharp and clear image that doesn’t distort when you resize. They are excellent for printing applications and, in this case, for embroidery patterns.
The Connection Between Illustrator and Embroidery
Computerized embroidery machines need a digital image pattern created from a vector image to work. If you have the pattern in any other format, you have to first convert it to a vector image for the machine to interpret the image and transfer it to the fabric.
Converting a pattern to a vector image on Illustrator
If you already have the image, you can use Illustrator to convert it into a vector image.
- Import the graphic image you want to convert into Illustrator.
- Create a new floating layer above the original image.
- Redraw the graphic image you want to convert. This will create a new vector version.
- Use an embroidery plugin to change the image into an embroidery pattern that your embroidery machine can use.
Using Illustrator to make an embroidery pattern
Using Illustrator to create an embroidery pattern is not any different from using it to create any other image. You have to start by creating a new layer that acts as the canvas for your creativity. Once you finish drawing the image, you can follow the steps above to convert your creation into a vector image.
Install an Embroidery Plugin
Converting your image into a vector image is not enough. While vector images are a great start, your embroidery machine cannot read the format. To make the embroidery image usable by the machine, you need to convert the vector image into an embroidery pattern after converting it into a vector image.
The most commonly used embroidery plugin is i2. Using the plugin, you can select individual vector objects inside Illustrator, apply embroidery paths and fills, and turn the shape into a stitch.
Using the plugin, you can create patterns, border effects, embroidery fill, and fonts that are you can place as you go.
You will see the changes you make take effect on your vector graphic in real-time as you work on the image.
You can also choose other alternative software you can use to transform digital images into embroidery designs that works independently of Illustrator. However, like Illustrator, this software will only change the format of the graphic to a vector. You will need a plugin to make the vector image compatible with your embroidery machine.
Updated 11 May 2021
For a comprehensive list of third party plugins for Adobe Illustrator, please also refer to the Third-party Illustrator plugins page.
Astute Graphics Free Plugins
Astute Graphics' MirrorMe plugin was first introduced July 2013 and has been a cherished tool for Illustrator users ever since, proving invaluable in the fashion, product design, branding industries and more. As its name suggests, it provides instant - and live! - mirror drawing using both Astute Graphics and native Adobe tools.
Previously a paid-for plugin, it was made free to all creatives via the Astute Manager, July 2020 as a way to help the industry in challenging times.
The (Astute Graphics) Autosaviour plugin is designed to automatically save yourartwork and create backups in Adobe Illustrator at regular timeintervals. It helps to avoid the loss of the entirety or part of thework as a result of the unexpected closing of the application.
DirectPrefs
DirectPrefs is a completely free plugin thatseamlessly integrates into Adobe Illustrator. It gives you access to Illustrator's mostuseful preferences via one simple panel, plus set-up time-saving customsettings.
Object distributing scripts
A rudimentary panel that allows you to quickly deform your shapes in the 30º Axonometry (Sometimes falsely called isometry).This plugin is available on the Adobe Exchange.
A great tool for clipping objects together, enabling you to clip more than one shape into another, keeping them live.
Circle Fill by Jongware
Adobe Illustrator Embroidery Plugin Pdf
The script fills outline shape with packed circles.
The script rotates the objects in the selection toward the center of the foreground object.
The script rotates randomly located objects at a certain angle of top most object.
Scripts for path editing
SelectPointsByType by Sergey Osokin
Select points on the currently selected paths according to their type; Bezier, Flush, Corner, Broken or Flat.
Scripts that generate objects based on other objects or data
The script allows generating QR code in Illustrator. You can also use the built-in QR code creator in InDesign to make a vector QR code. The InDesign has more functionality.
With this script you can create a calendar in just a few clicks.Select the year, name the months and days and you are done. There aresome languages integrated: UK, RU, DE, UA.
Scripts with Random functions
This script demonstrates an easy way of randomizing the selection of agiven number of objects. The user can specify a percentage of up to howmany objects should be considered relative (percent) to the number ofobjects in the current selection.
The script randomly paints the objects into the colors that have been selected in the Swatches panel.
The script randomly changes the opacity of selected objects within the range 0% - 100%.
The script randomly rotates a linear gradient angle of all selected objects.
The script places the selected objects in random stacking order in the Layers panel.
Special mention of this script even though it is not free at the time of writing (being $5).
Random ZigZag is a form of advanced (if not live) native Rough Effect.
Scripts for working with text objects
Createa cool text block from any text, this plugin will re-sizes each textframe so they all have the same width. Great for making text posters.
Adobe Illustrator Embroidery Plugin Images
The script merges text (including text on a path) into one textobject, while retaining the style attributes of the individual pieces,including character styles as well as paragraph styles.
This script generates polyline text.
Scripts for Workspaces
Adobe Illustrator Embroidery Plugin Photoshop
This script will match the zoom value of all windows open - useful when in tile view.