Yesterday I posted about the free Crochet Charts software and pointed you to where you can get it. Since then, I have spent a number of hours playing around with it. And sadly discovered it has a bug. An image bug.
It is great that this newest version has the ability to allow you to insert an image. I do need that for graphing my crochet stitches into colours (for doing beaded crochet). However Crochet Charts has an image bug ā where, once inserted, the image becomes āstuckā. You cannot select, move, edit, or even delete it! No good!
But the good news is I have found a workaround. After many hours, let me say.
Crochet Chart Software in ver. 1.2 offers the feature of being able to insert a manipulable image into your crochet chart file. However it is a bit buggy at the moment. So this is a how-to to work around it.
Note:
This workaround tutorial assumes you already have some familiarity with the basics of working with Crochet Chart software. If not, please refer to post: Crochet Charts Software v1.2 for both on how to download and the relevant User Guide.
What is the Bug?
Ideally you want to employ layers, place/insert the image in a lower layer and your charted stitches on the layer above.
Bug1: However often when you insert an image, after a few seconds, you can no longer select of move them. So you cannot select and delete either.
Bug 2: Even though the image started on the lower layer, soon you will find that that the image is no longer on the lower layer. Nor on the upper layer. Nor on any layer! In fact, there is no way you can get rid of the image! So when you go to print out your crochet chart, the image is also there. And you might not want that. I donāt.
Bug1: However often when you insert an image, after a few seconds, you can no longer select of move them. So you cannot select and delete either.
Bug 2: Even though the image started on the lower layer, soon you will find that that the image is no longer on the lower layer. Nor on the upper layer. Nor on any layer! In fact, there is no way you can get rid of the image! So when you go to print out your crochet chart, the image is also there. And you might not want that. I donāt.
Desired Functionality
- to be able to insert an image that you can select and manipulate (scale, move)
- to place that image on a lower layer so that your crochet charted stitches are on top
- to be able to hide the lower layer (image layer) so you can print out without the image muddying your charted stitches
How to Workaround the bug in Crochet Charts Software
There is no logic to this work around. However if you follow this sequence of steps, it will help you get around the image bug.
This is the image I started with: The image I want charted.
(I don't remember now but I think it is a part of an image I took from Pinterest.)
(I don't remember now but I think it is a part of an image I took from Pinterest.)
Image Preparation ā Tip
Crochet Charts software does not offer the ability to make your image lighter (less opacity). If your image has solid strong colours, it will be very hard to see your charted crochet stitches. So it is a good idea to decrease the opacity of your image in another application (I used Gimp) and the insert then lighter image into your Crochet Chart file.
In this illustrative example, I will be using a number of rows in sc (single crochet) and putting a color image behind so that I can āpaintā the charted sc.
Open a new file and create the rows desired.
Tip: zoom out so that you can see all your stitches
Select all your stitches and group them:
(Stitches > Group).
Then copy and paste. You will end up with 2 grouped sets of stitches.
Move and scale down one of them and place it up in the corner (or anywhere, so it is out of the way).
Move the other one (which is the one you will be working with later) into the center of page (so that it is easier to work with).
(Stitches > Group).
Then copy and paste. You will end up with 2 grouped sets of stitches.
Move and scale down one of them and place it up in the corner (or anywhere, so it is out of the way).
Move the other one (which is the one you will be working with later) into the center of page (so that it is easier to work with).
Add a new layer for the image. (Crochet Chart software puts new layers below existing layers).
You can rename the layers to make it easier to identify them.
You can rename the layers to make it easier to identify them.
Make sure you are on the āimageā layer, insert your (lighter) image.
Edit > Insert > (select your image)
Even now, there may still be a software bug. Because the image you inserted may have landed up on the first (āstitchesā) layer. Which is what you donāt want.
To check: hide and unhide each layer alternatively to see which layer the image is on.
Mine ended up on the āstitchesā layer. š
Select the image and cut it. (Edit > Cut)
Go to āimageā layer and paste it there. (Edit > Paste)
Check that it is on the āimageā layer by hiding that layer. If image disappears, then that is correct.
Unhide the layer. Select the inserted image again. Copy & Paste.
Now you have 2 images on the āimageā layer.
Move one out of the way. Scale down if necessary.
Move other image behind your stitches. Scale so that it fits.
You will be using this image as guide to āpaintā your stitches.
Your file should look something like this:
At this stage, you should be able to hide/unhide the images/stitch layers. You should be able to select any of the images or groups of stitches.
Note: you need to ungroup the (center) stitch before you can work on the individual stitches.
