Description of each of the buttons, tabs, and icons on the Pro-Stitcher Lite work space
Version PS Connect Beta 24.10.0827
Important Note: If you are using a different version, your screen may look different and your buttons may be in a different location.
Simulation Mode: Photos are with the PSL in Simulation Mode. The crosshairs are green in simulation mode. You cannot quilt in simulation mode. When your tablet is connected to your machine and you are using your software to quilt, your crosshairs will be orange.
Are you ready to unlock the full potential of PSL? Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of using PSL, let’s take a step back and explore how the software is organized. Understanding PSL’s organization and functionality will make it easier to use the software. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the work space and how each of the sections work. By the end of the post, you’ll have a good understanding of how to navigate the work space in Pro-Stitcher Lite.
Let’s break the work space down into six key components: Tabs, Ribbon, Right Hand Side Bar, Quick Access Tool Bar, Work Space Tool Bar, and Status Panel.
Tabs
The main Tabs you will be using are the File, Edit, Area, Modify, Repeat, Pro-Stitcher, View, Tools, and PS Patterns. You will also use the tabs on the right which are Help Pages, Settings, and Information.
Let’s briefly discuss what each of these tabs do. I will have a detailed post on each function for the Tabs in a future post.
File: Work with digital design files
Edit: Access history and use cut, copy, paste, duplicate, and clear features
Area: Set up Frame Space and create and use areas
Modify: Make formatting changes to the quilt design
Repeat: Repeat, offset, and connect designs
Pro-Stitcher: Stitch designs and access other stitching options
View: Turn on and off viewing elements on the work space
Tools: Access Pro-Stitcher Designer, a paid add on feature
PS Patterns: Links to Pro-Stitcher.com and give access to designs purchased through this website.
Help Pages: Access the Pro-Stitcher.com website/ Information, guides, updates, user manual
Settings: Set up defaults and access advanced options
Information: Access the help system and the information in the About Box
Ribbon
The buttons on the Ribbon change according to the Tab selected. Here are each of the different Ribbon options for the different Tabs. I will have a detailed post about all of the buttons on the Ribbon in a future post.
Tools does not have anything in the Ribbon until you purchase PS Designer
The remaining buttons on the Ribbon are the On Screen Keyboard, Wifi Enable, Help, and Motors
On Screen Keyboard: Brings up/hides on screen keyboard
Wifi: Turns on/off wifi
Help: Displays context sensitive on-screen help. After selecting the Help button, touch a tab, button, or area on the work space to display a text box with information about that function.
Motors: Shows motor engagement. If motors are not connected, pressing this can reconnect the motors. This will also show when you are in Simulation Mode.
Right Hand Side Bar
The Right Hand Side Bar also changes according to the Tab or Ribbon button selected. I will have a detailed post about all of these options in a future post.
Quick Access Tool Bar
The Quick Access Tool Bar is for the functions that you use the most. This section can be customized to fit your needs. Common uses are Undo/Redo, Baseline, Clearing your work space, Drag and Drop, turning on and off the Ruler and Grid, using the Measure feature, and using the Horizontal and Vertical channel locks. All of these features will be explained in a future post.
These are the options for customization. Each of the buttons on the Quick Access Tool Bar can be set to any of the choices show. I will show how to do that in a future post.
Work Space Tool Bar
These buttons are used to provide easy access to tools you’ll use for interacting with objects, such as designs and areas. I will go more in-depth in a future post.
Select: Lets you select/deselect designs and the area in your work space. The selected item can be moved around the work space.
Pan: Moves what you see on the work space. It does not reposition the design relative to the quilt.
Zoom: Create a box that will Zoom to the area contained in the box created. Zoom does not reposition or resize the design.
Simulate: Will only be available if you are in Simulation Mode. You cannot quilt in Simulation Mode.
Status Panel
The Status Panel gives you additional options to work with and view the objects on your screen such as selecting/deselecting objects, refreshing your view, and zooming in/out.
Select All: Select all designs on the work space.
Multi Select: Select or Deselect multiple designs.
Select None: Deselect all designs.
Status Icons: Indicate the machine is connected and communicating with the Pro-Stitcher Lite when it is highlighted green. When it is red, communication had been lost. Lightning bolt shows there is not communication between the Pro-Stitcher Lite and the machine.
Center: Centers the design in the work space but does not change zoom.
Zoom to Design: Design fills the work space
Zoom to Area: Area fills the work space
(1:1): Design shows at 100% actual size
Refresh: Design, Area, and Crosshairs are visible on the work space
Refresh to Frame Space: Frame Space is visible on work space (This icon is only visible if the frame space has been set.)
Minus: Zoom out
Scroll Bar: Zoom in or out
Plus: Zoom in
You now have a solid grasp on the different components of the PSL work space. In the next several posts, you will gain a better understanding of what each feature does and learn to use Pro-Stitcher Lite like a seasoned quilter! I hope that you love PSL as much as I do.
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