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hayshaker
1 Posts |
 Posted - 02/01/2010 : 18:22:36
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I was so excited to purchase PC Stitch!!! I always wanted to do a picture of my children. I started a pattern, but the faces are not turning out well!!! Also, when I scanned the picture, the colors of the floss, seemed REALLY dark. Is there a way to make the colors more natural without changing each stitch and make faces look better ? Mine is turning out nothing like what they show on the front of the package.
Thanks for any advise that someone mig be ableo give.
Hayshaker |
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Dragonlair
USA
2863 Posts |
Posted - 02/01/2010 : 20:13:16
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At this point, I can make 3 suggestions and I suggest you do all three!
First - You may need to brighten the photo before it is imported into PCStitch. Remember that the colors and lighting you see is not the same as what the computer sees.
Second - make sure your photo/pattern ratio is 1 pixel to 1 stitch (or as close as possible to keep the aspect ratio.
Third - reduce the total number of colors allowed. If you limit the colors, you limit the number of confetti stitches and get better matching because it's not "reaching" to match but is limited more to what your want.
These tips might help.
Diane
There is no such thing as a stupid question |
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WendyT
USA
3 Posts |
Posted - 03/11/2010 : 08:40:21
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Ok - I also just bought the program.... brought in pictures I want to do for gifts and trusted that the software was doing what it should, I bought all the floss it said I needed. Now I have started my first project only to find the tan house in my photo is going to be a dark grey/blue??? My parents won't know who's house this is! I'm so upset, and I don't know what to do.  I notice now from reading thru the forum that there is much more involved, I thought the more colors/stitches I use the better the project. Apparently that is not the case? Can someone help? I'm trying to do an 8x10 project - what count fabric is best to use (planned on 25ct), how many colors should I use (planned on 50), how do I get a 1 pixel/1 stitch ratio, and how do I get the right colors? Thanks in advance for any help!! |
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Dragonlair
USA
2863 Posts |
Posted - 03/11/2010 : 09:16:00
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Wendy,
Converting from a photo to a pattern is as much an art form as it is software.
To answer your question about the 1 pixel to 1 stitch ratio, the first thing you need to decide is what size fabric you will be using and even more important, what size stitches. Remember that the smaller the stitches, the more detail you can get (smaller pixels, basically). If you want 25 count, will it be over-one or over-two.
You've already decided on an 8 X 10. You need to multiply each dimension (8 and 10) by the number of stitches you can do in that amount. If it is 25 count (over-one), it will be 8 X 25 and 10 X 25. Once you know the number of stitches in each dimension, you need to use something like Paint or IrfanView to adjust the size of your photo (keeping the aspect ration to preserve the proportions of the photo) to as close to that as you can. The procedure will vary from product to product. Fir Irfanview, all you need to do is to give one dimension and it will calculate the other. For Paint, you have to play with percentages (same for width and height) until you get what you want.
The more colors you have, the more detailed the finished product will be. However, it also means more confetti stitches (single stitch of a color all by itself). Also, there are only so many shades of each color so you end up with more chances of odd colors if you have too many colors. Remember that the computer can handle billions of colors but there are only several hundred colors available in any one floss line.
When you create a design, you need to turn on the "preview" and adjust your parameters as needed until you get something close. Once you get close, be prepared for possibly hours more work "tweaking". If you see a color you don't like, change it! Fine a color you do like and change the color. You can do that quickly as a replacement of the color rather than stitch by stitch. It takes time and patience but you can get a nice image.
One other hint - keep the background simple! The more complex the background, the more difficult it will be to keep your colors true and to have a pleasing pattern.
Never take the first attempt at face value. The computer sees color differently than you do. If you see a color that doesn't look right to you, change it.
Diane
There is no such thing as a stupid question |
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WendyT
USA
3 Posts |
Posted - 03/11/2010 : 09:50:24
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| Thanks Diane - I will be making another attempt when I get home from work today. I appreciate your time and expertise! |
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WendyT
USA
3 Posts |
Posted - 03/12/2010 : 11:33:12
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Well - changed it to 1 stitch per 1 pixel. That went fine. Lightened up the photo but am still finding the colors are way off. My daughters face consists of violet, mauve and cocoa. She is a very light toned caucasian girl, so I'm not sure how this is happening and have no idea how to correct it. Is the pro version any better with this issue?
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Dragonlair
USA
2863 Posts |
Posted - 03/12/2010 : 12:20:20
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Pro and Standard now use the same code base. If you are Standard 9, there is not likely to be any difference. You may need to change the number of colors or do some complete color changes to tones that are more pleasing and accurate.
Diane
There is no such thing as a stupid question |
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CrochetLiving
17 Posts |
Posted - 04/09/2010 : 13:49:19
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You can also try different flosses. There is Anchor, DMC, J&P, Krienik.
Sometimes the shades are different for the same color.
Maria |
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How to make stitched faces look more real
