Auto Start and Auto End not correct on machine

Hello!

I am not sure if maybe my understanding of Auto Start and Auto End is incorrect or if I am just doing something wrong, but I was wondering if somebody could help me understand this a little bit better.

To illustrate where I am - I digitized something really easy to test with, like a rectangle, and set the Auto Start point to the bottom center and the Auto End point to the top right corner. The first stitch of the rectangle is actually near the top left corner.

What I was expecting to happen was when I set those auto start and auto end parameters and exported to a .PES file, I would be able to load it onto the machine and it would automatically align the needle to the bottom center of the design (where I placed the auto start parameter) for easier positioning. What I am seeing is when I move the design over to the machine, it is auto-aligning with the first stitch of the design in the top left.

The machine I used in the past (Brother PE535) was able to align using 9 different points, so I didn't have to rely on Auto Start in my design - but the machine I am using now (Bernette 70 Deco) only has on-screen functions to align using the corners. I was hoping Auto Start and Auto End would be able to help me better align my designs with my new machine if I needed to have the needle positioned in a specific place in the beginning.

Is my understanding of how Auto Start and Auto End works correct?

Thanks,
Angelo

Hello Angelo,
Thanks for writing us. The PES fill will change the machine positioning settings. I see you mentioned you are using the Bernette 70 Deco. Doesn't this machine read the Bernina EXP? When you save to the BERNINA EXP it will also create an ,inf file. If you save both of these in the folder that you are reading to the machine, I'm fairly sure that machine will read the colors. The .inf file has the colors for the Bernina EXP. The Bernina EXP will save it to the settings as you are trying to do. Give it a try and let me know. This would be a much better file format for you to use with your Bernina machine.

Hi Kim! Thanks for the reply!

The Bernette 70 Deco is able use a few different file formats, so I had just used the .PES file format out of comfort since it's what I used on my older machine.
I did export a quick design with the .EXP format to see if that would solve the positioning issue, but I didn't have any luck. It retained the color information, but I wasn't having any troubles there.

I attached a few screenshots and pictures to hopefully demonstrate my problem a little more clearly -
In the first picture, I have just a rectangle with the object's stitch starting point in the top left corner. In the next picture, I am showing the Auto Start and End positions I am wanting to set in the pop up. In the third picture, I am showing that the Auto Start and End icons are at least showing up correctly on Hatch. The fourth picture shows the starting needle position in the top left as soon as I import the .EXP file to the machine - basically where the object's first stitch is. The fifth picture is of the on-screen control options that I have available to check the positioning - it only has the four corners and the center to help position.

I was hoping that by using the Auto Start and End points feature, I would be able to set the starting needle position wherever it would be necessary for the design.

Thanks,
Angelo

Hi Angelo,
Are you sure the machine does not override the settings for its own setting? Some machines will always set it to a specific location.
Did you save the design to EMB file?
So the process would be: set the auto start/end > save to EMB > export to Bernina EXP.

Also check that you have the latest software release: V2.1D R3 9 Jul 2020

Can you open the EXP back into the software and check the settings?
If so, then the problem may be at the machine in. Something to keep in mind is "the machine has the last say" . So even if you have something set in the software, the machine may have a setting different that it requires. I know in some of Bernina's older Decos that I used they would also default the start/end needle position to a specific location. I could not change. But I have not used their later Deco machines. Maybe check your machine manual or ask your Bernina dealer.

Hi Kim!

I think you're right - I think the machine itself just doesn't want to listen. I checked the manual and it didn't mention anything about overriding the starting point.

This gave me a good idea for a workaround, though, if anybody in the future runs into this type of issue!
I'll include screenshots of it working too, but here are the steps.

Steps in Hatch
1. Set the desired Auto Start point using the Auto Start and End prompt under the Customize Design or Output Design tabs on the left
2. Make sure True View is off and digitize a very tiny open shape (like a very short running stitch) in the green circle - zooming in might make it easier
3. Change the color of the newly digitized object to be a different color from the design's first "real" color
4. Move the object to the top of the stitching sequence so it shows up as first in the list
5. Save and Export to a file that works with the machine

Steps on the Machine
1. Load the design onto the machine
2. Adjust position based on the new starting point
3. Start the embroidery on the SECOND color (the first "real" color of the design)

The rest should just be business as usual!

I appreciate the help, Kim!

Thanks,
Angelo