Electric Quilt 6 Frequently Asked Questions

EQ6 Tip of the Day

(EQ6 Tip of the Day pdf)

• Welcome to Electric Quilt 6! We've got a lot of great tips for getting the most out of your quilt design software, so leave Tip of the Day turned on for a while. If you turn Tip of the Day off, it is available from the Help menu.
  
  
• Are you a visual learner? You will LOVE watching all the EQ6 Help Videos. There are 62 in all!
  
  
• To draw a perfect circle, use the Ellipse tool on the Applique layer of a PatchDraw block.
  
  
• Use File > Export Image to create high resolution images of your blocks and quilts.
  
  
• For coloring rows of patches in One-Patch quilts, try Ctrl + click (or Alt + click) with the Paintbrush tool.
  
  
• The fabric in EQ6 will always scale to the appropriate size. The 9 inch block you see on the block worktable will match your sewn block. What you see is what you get!
  
  
• When you import an image to trace, be sure to reduce the image size and resolution before you import it. This will help keep EQ6 running efficiently without requiring a lot of time for redrawing an image that is just a guide for tracing.
  
  
• You'll want to visit www.electricquilt.com often to get the latest information about EQ6 and additional add-on products.
  
  
• To ensure square border blocks, use a border style with "tile" in the name.
  
  
• All the fabrics in the EQ6 Fabric Library have been scanned at 72 dpi and saved as JPG files. When you scan your own fabrics, try to crop to the fabric repeat. This will give you the prettiest representation of the fabric in EQ6.
  
  
• For instant borders, use the Set Auto Borders tool.
  
  
• You can set the origin of the rulers on the quilt worktable to match the graph pad by clicking on Quilt > Options > View Settings.
  
  
• Any block can become a quilting stencil if set on Layer 3. The patches on this layer are not fillable with fabric but can be colored with the Thread tool. You can also select a stitch style for the thread.
  
  
• EQ6 will automatically clip a pieced or plain block in the setting triangles of an on-point quilt layout. Just click the triangle with the Select tool and choose your printing option.
  
  
• Any block with only squares and rectangles can be turned into a quilt layout. Choose Quilt > Create Quilt from Block.
  
  
• When you use the PatchDraw Ellipse tool to partition or stagger an arc with a number less than 4, the number of nodes you get when you "convert to patch," (turn the object into a set of Bezier curves) will actually double.
  
  
• Print any block as a quilting stencil by clicking File > Print > Block > Quilting Stencil.
  
  
• Need tech support? Save yourself a call. Look in the User Manual index. Click Help > Index > to look in the EQ6 Help files. Look at tech support on www.electricquilt.com. You will most likely find the answer to your question.
  
  
• To see all colorings of any block, select the block in the Sketchbook or Palette > right-click > choose "Select coloring."
  
  
• Press F8 on your keyboard to display the EQ Project Sketchbook. This contains all your quilts, blocks, fabrics, colors, photos, embroidery and thread.
  
  
• Importing photos to set into square blocks? Before you import, crop to make your photo square to avoid that "squashed" look.
  
  
• You'll always know the size of your finished quilt because it's displayed on the status bar. Look at the lower-right corner of your screen.
  
  
• Notecards can be moved and also "pinned" so they stay up as you browse through a library. Flip the card over and see the category markings.
  
  
• Some tools have a small black triangle indicating that it's a 'flyout' tool. Press and hold the left mouse until you see all the tools fly out. You can drag the gripper at the end of the flyout to float the toolbar.
  
  
• To place a large plain fabric in the background of your custom quilt, you need to create a plain block. Right-click over the block palette and click Add Plain Block. Now you can drag that block onto your quilt and fill it with fabric.
  
  
• You can take a 'snapshot' of your block or quilt (or anything on your screen) by choosing File > Export Marquee Selection. Then drag a box around the area you want captured. Voila! No flash needed!
  
  
• Many cool features are available on the context menus. Position your mouse over the worktable or over any of the palettes and right-click to discover new options.
  
  
• To delete a block and all its colorings from the Sketchbook, click the first arrow (pointing left) to display the line drawing. Click the Delete button. This will delete the block and all its colorings.
  
  
• To shift color hues in your quilt, use the Random Recolor tool. Then "Map to fabrics" to turn the colors to fabrics.
  
  
• Layer 2 is for layering blocks or motifs on top of your quilt.
  
  
• You can change the style of the default border that gets added to any new quilt layout that you start. Click Quilt > Options > Starting new quilts.
  
  
• To open a project from an earlier version of EQ, in the Open dialog, click the down arrow next to "Files of type" and choose Previous EQ Versions.
  
  
• If you can't see all of the quilt tools with your current monitor settings, you can use the toolbar context menu to convert to smaller tools, or you can reposition the whole toolbar to dock along the top or bottom of your screen.
  
  
• Photographs can be set on any layer of your quilt.
  
  
• Position the mouse cursor over any toolbar and right click to see its context menu. You can add and remove tools or change the size of the tools.
  
  
• Palettes pop up when you choose certain tools. You don't need to close them. They close themselves when you choose a different tool.
  
  
• Print a sheet of English Paper Piecing templates by selecting a plain block (or patch on One-Patch) on the quilt > Print > Block > Options tab > choose "As many as fit."
  
  
• Oops! You didn't mean to do that? Click Edit > Undo to undo your most recent action. For a keyboard shortcut, press Ctrl+Z.
  
  
• F8 will open the project Sketchbook. Use the Notecard button to name your designs and the Sort button to rearrange the contents of the Sketchbook.
  
  
• You can instantly create a new block with a frame around it by using the Serendipity tool.
  
  
• Can't see that thread color you just used? Use the "weight" checkbox in the Thread palette to make the thread heavier. Thread scales just like fabric, so if you zoom in, it will appear bolder.
  
  
• There are SO many options for printing. Using Print Preview before you actually print, will save you time and paper because you'll be able to see and adjust your printouts before you print.
  
  
• If you want to position that puppy dog fabric so that you see his whole body in the center of your block, click the Fussy Cut tool and then drag the fabric to that perfect position (so you see his wagging tail and panting tongue).
  
  
• The Serendipity tool lets you create a new block by merging two block designs together.
  
  
• If the tool has a red dot, then click on the red dot. This will display a pop up box giving you options associated with the tool you've selected.
  
  
• Need to know the name of a tool? Position the mouse cursor over any tool. A tooltip will appear displaying the tool name. Want more info? Read the status bar for a quick description of the tool.
  
  
• Motifs and stencils that are copied from the library will go to special tabs in the Sketchbook and palette. Be sure to look along the top of the blocks to see these tabs, and then click on the tab to see the motifs and stencils.
  
  
• To zoom in, click the Zoom In tool, then drag your mouse on the worktable, selecting the area you want enlarged.
  
  
• The Block Library search feature will let you search for a block by name, or even by a partial name, if that's all you know.
  
  
• Tools are grayed out (unusable) for a reason. Either you haven't selected anything to enable the tool, or you're on the wrong layer so you can't use it.
  
  
• Use the graph pad on the quilt worktable to very precisely adjust the block position and size on your quilt. To view the graph pad, click View > Graph Pad, then click on the block using the Adjust tool.
  
  
• Want to use the same border setup in your next quilt? Click Quilt > Keep Current Borders before clicking Quilt > New Quilt.
  
  
• To erase a block on Layer 2 or 3, use the Adjust tool to select the block, then press the keyboard Delete key to remove the block.
  
  
• The graph pad has "centering" tools to center anything on Custom Set or Layers.
  
  
• You may import your own embroidery designs (.EXP files) into the program. Then use the Thread tool to recolor the embroidery as you desire.
  
  
• Many EQ6 tools do not appear until you add them. Position your mouse cursor over any toolbar and right-click to add more tools.
  
  
• When using the Applique Text tool, it is not necessary to drag out a large box because the text box size will adjust automatically as you type. Remember to press the Enter key to start a new line of text.
  
  
• Click Quilt > Options > Ruler settings to see the options for setting the origin of the rulers.
  
  
• When using the EasyDraw tools, pressing the keyboard Spacebar will toggle between the Line tool and the Shape tool.
  
  
• Need something larger or more than EQ6 allows? See if you can change maximum size or number by clicking Quilt > Options.
  
  
• To search BlockBase from the EQ6 Library (you must also own that software), click Search > By notecards > and be sure to check "Search the Notes Field." Searching for names only finds Brackman I.D. numbers.
  
  
• For speed-coloring Grandmother's Flower Garden and other One-Patch quilts, try the Paintbrush tool's Freehand Brush.
  
  
• Check out the Refresh button. It's handy if something seems to disappear from your quilt. Clicking Refresh will make it appear again.
  
  
• If you have several patches close together in your block drawing and you find it difficult to select the patch you want, use the Tab key on your keyboard to move the selection from one patch to the next.
  
  
• Don't forget that motifs make great quilting stencils. Set on Layer 3, click with the Select tool > File > Print > Block > "Use size from quilt" > and choose the Quilting Stencil style.
  
  
• Do you have the PolyDraw tools stuck to you like chewing gum? Just double-click or press the keyboard Esc key to get yourself out of that sticky situation.
  
  
• To restore EQ6's default settings, click File > Preferences > Restore > Restore default settings.
  
  
• For the best effects using the Symmetry tool, use horizontal layouts with no sashing and blocks with asymmetrical designs or colorings.
  
  
• To make the seam allowance bolder on your printouts, click File > Preferences > General. Change the line's "Minimum line size in pixels" to 4.
  
  
• The Pieced layer of the PatchDraw worktable is permanently set to snap to the grid. When you are drawing or moving nodes on the worktable, you will see the node snapping to the closest grid point.
  
  
• Want to import designs from one project to another? Use the Library Import button.
  
  
• Hold the keyboard Ctrl key while drawing Bezier curves in PatchDraw to change the curve into a line segment.
  
  
• You can convert any segment (not patches) to a brush stroke by double-clicking on the existing Bezier curve or set of connected Bezier curves with the PatchDraw Brush Stroke tool.
  
  
• Click Add to Sketchbook often, even when you are not quite finished with the design. It is far easier to start over from an older version of a design than to start over from scratch.
  
  
• You can erase a block by clicking on it with the Erase Block tool, but you can also replace it with the Set Block tool.
  
  
• Layer 3 is for setting quilting stencils and embroidery on top of your quilt.
  
  
• When drawing an arc in EasyDraw, press the Spacebar on your keyboard to flip the arc before you release the mouse.
  
  
• Press the Tab key to go quickly from entry to entry within any palette, such as the layout or borders palettes.
  
  
• You can turn viewing layers on and off by enabling the Hide/Show feature for the layer tabs. (Preferences > Tool Options > View Options)
  
  
• Want to tilt a block inside a block? Use the Serendipity tool. You can tilt by 30 degrees, 60 degrees, or whatever you want.
  
  
• Afraid that the block you've chosen might be too difficult? Check the back of the block notecard for piecing and difficulty information.
  
  
• To put the name of your quilt at the top of your printout, view the Sketchbook, find the quilt, click Notecard and type a name.
  
  
• When using the Freehand tool in PatchDraw, you can adjust how tightly (or loosely) the curves follow the movement of the mouse cursor by using the Drawing Board Setup dialog.
  
  
• If you want to turn off the introductory splash screen, go to File > Preferences. Uncheck "Show intro splash screen."
  
  
• The embroidery designs in the Embroidery Library cannot be used with your embroidery machine. They are for visual reference only.
  
  
• To switch quickly between the quilt and block worktables, use the buttons at the end of the Project toolbar.
  
  
• To design quickly, try modifying a "quick quilt" from the Start with a Quick Quilt Project tab in the Project Helper dialog box. Click New to display the Project Helper.
  
  
• If you are printing templates for applique text, you may want to turn off the seam allowance option because of the extreme angles of the letters.
  
  
• You can print any quilt as an outline. It is great to hand-write notes on this type of printout.
  
  
• You can sort quilts, blocks, fabrics, and more in the Sketchbook.
  
  
• When using the Rectangle tool in PatchDraw, you can constrain it to a perfect square by holding down the keyboard Ctrl key as you drag.
  
  
• Blocks are categorized for greater searching capability.
  
  
• You can search by color in the Fabric Library.
  
  
• You can control which layer you see on your quilt. Click Quilt > Options > View Settings. You'll find this feature especially helpful when designing complex quilts with multiple layers.
  
  
• You can write text, poems, words, or even notes to yourself on Layer 2 with the Set Appliqué Text tool.
  
  
• Sash blocks quickly without redrawing. Just click Block > Serendipity > Frame Block from the block worktable.
  
  
• Did you miss something while tabbing through some entries? Press Shift + Tab to go backwards through them.
  
  
• Put a check in "keep equal" on the Layout tab to make sizing blocks or sashing faster.
  
  
• Zoom in as closely as possible to check your drawing. This is especially helpful when editing because a small area in normal view can appear quite large when you zoom.
  
  
• Use either of the fitted border styles to make your border's cornerstones line up with the next inner border's cornerstones.
  
  
• Blocks skew to fit the shape of blocks in Custom Set quilts from the Layout Library. Try any of the Star layouts for amazing effects.
  
  
• To nudge the fabric in small increments when using the Fussy Cut tool, use your keyboard arrow keys to move the fabric in the patch.
  
  
• You can set pieced blocks in your sashing. Use this technique for creating star and checked sashes.
  
  
• You can add or delete lines or patches to any of the blocks in the library. First click Add to Sketchbook, then open the Sketchbook (F8) and click the Edit button.
  
  
• Try deleting some unnecessary lines from blocks to make new coordinating blocks. When you set the original and altered blocks together, they go together perfectly.
  
  
• Make a table runner quickly by starting a horizontal or on-point quilt with only 1 block across and any number of blocks vertically.
  
  
• When using the Freehand tool in PatchDraw, you can erase a portion of the curve by holding down the keyboard Shift key and dragging backwards over the curve.
  
  
• If your borders are unpieced on the screen, EQ will give you yardage for unpieced borders along with a footnote indicating the yardage estimate for the border fabric may be large because it is unpieced.
  
  
• Medallion quilts are easy when you start with a horizontal or on-point quilt that is 1 block horizontally and 1 block vertically. Just add borders of many different styles around it to make the medallion yours.
  
  
• You can import pictures on the block worktable to trace. You will want to turn off the auto-fill feature so you can see the image you are tracing as you draw.
  
  
• Using a laptop touchpad? Be sure to see the manual's notes for laptop users.
  
  
• Use the Set Applique Text tool to quickly make a label for your quilt. To watch a video demo of this, click Videos > Simple Tasks > Making a Quilt Label.
  
  
• EQ5 projects opened in EQ6 containing on-point quilts will not clip the setting triangles. You must create a new EQ6 quilt (Quilt > New Quilt > On-point) to get the setting triangles to be clipped automatically.
  
  
• If you think One-Patch style is only hexagons, click Quilt > New Quilt > One Patch, then click the Layout tab and check out the 14 different One-Patch styles.
  
  
• Customize your EQ6 program by exploring your options. Click File > Preferences, and also check out Quilt > Options.
  
  
• To draw a pieced sash or border block, click Block > Drawing Board Setup and set the worktable block size to the size you want for your sash or border strip.
  
  
• Rotary cutting is an approximation. If you want your rotary cutting chart to be as accurate as possible, be sure to print at an appropriate multiple. For example, if you are printing an Ohio Star or other 9-Patch block, print it at any multiple of 3, like 6 inches, 9 inches or 12 inches.
  
  
• Your printer driver affects many operations of EQ. They are all so different. You'll need to experiment with your own printer to find the settings that work best for you regarding margins, etc.
  
  
• In EQ6, you cannot set unfilled line drawings on Layer 2. Blocks on Layer 2 must be filled with color or fabric.
  In EQ6, Layer 2 is designed for setting motifs. This is an important tip when designing a Custom layout.
  
  
• Want hints on sewing a pieced block? Preview the block as a foundation pattern to see the suggested sewing order.
  
  
• Do you see faint diagonally lines on the quilt worktable? This is "hatching" and indicates that this area of the quilt needs to be filled with color or fabric.
  
  
• When using the Set Applique Text tool, be sure to set any formating attributes, like boldness and alignment, before you adjust the size of the box using the Adjust tool. If you need to go back to the Set Applique Text tool to make adjustments to an existing text box, you'll need to resize again.

 

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