Tajima DG16 with Coloreel option – An overview

This support article describes how to use the Tajima DG16 digitizing SW and Coloreel option in relation to other tools, such as the free Coloreel Studio SW. It is not a manual for using the Coloreel option and assumes you have basic knowledge about digitizing. It is also not a manual for design considerations doing Coloreel designs. See separate documentation for these topics (link...) by browsing support.coloreel.com

Coloreel’s instant thread coloring technology frees your color creativity and allows you to create unique embroideries with thousands of colors. Coloreel will also enable you to create designs with exclusive special effects, such as vivid multi-point gradients and stripe effects never seen before. The Coloreel ITCU (Instant Thread Coloring Unit) can be used with all modern embroidery machines and brands.

Tajima DG 16 is one of the leading digitizing software programs and is now available with a Coloreel option. Compared to the standard method of creating Coloreel digitized files, this simplifies the work of creating digitized files for Coloreel. By adding the Coloreel colors and effects directly in the digitizing SW, you highly increase your productivity. Operations like resizing, re-using, or modifying designs are many times faster. It also prepares for using the Coloreel Options for the Pulse ID suite of solutions.

Comparison standard method vs. DG16 with Coloreel option

File formats used to manage Coloreel embroidery

.pxf      The Tajima propriety embroidery file. This file contains all vectorized information of the digitized file and all related metadata. It is used to generate the stitch files the embroidery machine uses. The Coloreel option includes all data necessary to generate the Coloreel CSE color file. All embroidery design software companies use their own propriety file format.

.cse      The Coloreel developed color file. This is an open file format used by the Coloreel ITCU unit to produce Coloreel embroideries. It can be edited or created by importing a DST stitch file using Coloreel Studio. Now also possible to export from DG 16. Includes a complete stitch file with needle information.

.dst      The most basic stitch file format. It contains raw data for the stitches in the design, stops, and needle changes. It is the de facto standard for stitch files, although it is limited and has very little metadata. For instance, it does not tell which needle to change to.

.tbf       Alternative propriety Tajima stitch file format that can be used directly by the embroidery machine. Includes needle data, which enables efficient automation. There are many other propriety stitch file formats by other companies.

Coloreel Studio

Coloreel Studio is a free software developed by Coloreel, capable of coloring embroidery stitch files with DST file format. Coloreel Studio lets you open the embroidery stitch file, split the design into sections, and color each area with the desired color and effect. Coloreel Studio also enables you to assign traditional embroidery threads to the design. Coloreel Studio also comes with two Soft Proofing tools, helping you to quality ensure your embroidery design. One of the tools is a CCP estimator, which lets the user see whether the color changes in the design are robust enough.

The other tool is the Gamut Tool, which assesses the colors used in the design and tells you if they are possible to produce (Inside of Gamut) or Outside of Gamut, where the color will not turn out as you see it in the software. The Gamut Tool can propose alternative colors that can be produced. Coloreel Studio also allows you to create and edit libraries of colors and effects, called Swatch libraries.

Color and Effect Libraries - Swatch Libraries

Swatch libraries are collections of swatches. Libraries can be custom-created, exported, and imported from Tajima DG16 with the Coloreel option and Coloreel Studio. Sample libraries are available for download at the Coloreel Help Center.

A swatch controls the output of color to the embroidery thread.

• A solid swatch is used to give the thread a uniform color.
• A gradient swatch will give the thread smooth transitions between two or more colors.
• A striped swatch makes the thread color transition between two or more colors.
• Noise swatches will give a controlled randomization of two or more colors.

Tajima DG16 with the Coloreel tool option

Tajima Software Solutions Inc. (previously known as Pulse Microsystems Ltd.), with its leading embroidery design software DG16, is the first to incorporate the Coloreel coloring system making it easy to assign any Coloreel color and Effect directly in the design creation workflow. The Tajima DG16 Coloreel option lets you utilize millions of colors and astonishing effects to any outline or stitch segment. It will also allow you to export a native Coloreel design file (CSE) for use with the Coloreel ITC unit. A significant advantage of using Coloreel tools with outline designing is the total freedom of resizing and reshaping Coloreel-colored segments like traditional embroidery design. It will also let you mix Coloreel-colored segments with other threads in the same design file. For more information about DG 16, visit tajimasoftware.com

Pulse ID by Tajima Software Solutions

Pulse ID is a leading SW for factory automation and online personalization. For general information on Pulse ID, please visit tajimasoftware.com Coloreel features are becoming a seamless part of PulseID automation services, enhancing personalization processes and e-commerce procedures alongside its productivity and production management solutions.  For more information about the Coloreel options with Pulse ID, don't hesitate to get in touch with Coloreel at info@coloreel.com

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