Computer Quilting Made Easy at Soft Expressions Toll Free: 888-545-8616 Fax: 888-545-0564 Phone: 714-545-8616
Home Page to Discount Quilt Software at Soft ExpressionsReviews for 23+ quilting software by Sharla HicksFree newsletter for quilt software users!Help for quilting software is only a click away!Download quilt software demos, shareware and freewareGalleries: Sharla's Gallery, Virtual Computer Quilts, & Stolen QuiltsIntroducing SharlaLinks for computer quilting, quilting, art and moreOverview of website structure to help you navigate!Search Website and/or Store
StorefrontAccount & Wish ListProduct ListBasket ContentsSearch Store Only Checkout

Computer Quilting BYTES Newsletter
Name
Email

newsletter
 Index to all articles
November 2007
 July 2007
May 2002
November 01
February 01
October 00
August 00
May 00
March 00
December 99
October 99
April 99
January 99
August 98
April 98
February 98
 Frequently Asked Questions about quilting software
Reviews to 23+ quilting software programs
Demos to quilting software, try before you buy!

Download Quilting Software and related titles
store

This section will answer your questions about shipping methods, costs, handling and more.
100% Secure Checkout
International Shipping
Company Profile
Mail, fax form
Catalog Product List
Sale and New Items
Laurel Burch
1000+ Helpful Books for Quilting and Computer Quilters, find helpful books on quilt construction, design, printing on fabric, using the software programs and more.
Magazines: Quilting Arts, Creative Expressions, Cloth Paper & Scissors
This is a expanding category with quilt giftwrap, jewelry, helpful must have tools, watches, organizers and beautiful storage boxes.
 Paper Piecing Software and helpful tools like finger press, foundation printer sheets, rulers, books and . . . .
Notions for Quilters like Marti Michelle Templates, Rulers, Mats, Rotary Cutters, Sewing Accessories, Machine Quilting Supplies and more.
Threads, Yarn and Fiber
 Find all the popular programs like Electric Quilt, Quilt-Pro, PCQuilt, Paper Piecing programs, Redwork, Designing CD, Repligator, Creative Impusle and more for the traditional and innovative quilter.
DVDs, CDs and Videos
 Beads and Charms
Angelina Fibers for Innovative Quilter
Iron-on Applique Patches
Buttons
Dyes, Paints and Pens
Embellishments
Foils
Fabric
Helpful products for quilting memory quilts and labels like Bubble Jet Set 2000 and June Tailor Fabrics
Quilt Patterns
 Computer quilters have special needs and wants, check out what we have here for you!


Computer Quilting BYTES
subscribe
back issues
Frequently Asked Questions about quilting software
Reviews to 23+ quilting software programs
Demos to quilting software, try before you buy!

logo

Change EQ4's Sketchbook Default Fabrics to Your own Custom Default Palette

Compter Quilting BYTES

Issue 11: February 01
Editor: Sharla R. Hicks
Newsletter index for all issuesTable of contents for this issue

Change EQ4's Sketchbook Default Fabrics to Your Own Custom Default Palette

by Gordon Cooper
Illustrations Sharla Hicks

 

The set of fabrics that appear with every NEW project are contained in a standard Electric Quilt project file - DEFAULT1.PJ4 This file lives in the RES folder and is loaded by EQ4 every time "Create a New Project" is selected. It is quite easy to change the fabrics and/or colours to your own preferences. However I strongly recommend that you should save a copy of the default1 file so that things can be restored to normal if required.

1. With EQ4 running, Click "Open an Existing Project".

EQ 4 Opening Dialogue Box
Electric Quilt 4 opening dialogue box.

2. Click the Box at lower left to "open a project not listed above".

picture of click here to open section of dialogue box

3. With the "Open an Existing Project" window open, Click up one level icon, the Bent Arrow button, to go Up One Level. (This button is to the right of the "Look in" box.)

dialogue box with folders 4. This will give you the list of EQ's folders.

Double click on "res" to see the contents of the folder.

dialogue box with Defual1.pj4 folder
There should be only one file - default1.

5. Click on default1, then Click Open, the default1 sketchbook will appear on screen.

 


 

fabric palette in Sketchbook

6. Now make a backup copy of this file which ever way you prefer. I did this:

File Menu, select Save AS
  • Close the sketchbook using X button
  • Clicked File in the top menu bar
  • Select Save As
  • Save the file as defaulteq
Save As dialogue box

7. There will now be two files in the "res" folder, default1 and defaulteq. Defaulteq is your copy of the original and should not be modified.

dialogue box with 2 saved palettes

File Menu, select Open8. Now you can change default1 with your own preferences. Click File, Open and choose C:\EQ4\res\default1 (see above).

9. To go to the fabric palette, click on View Sketchbook Icon, the View Sketchbook Icon.

10. You can now Get Fabrics from the Library as described on Page 52 of the EQ4 Design Cookbook and change those in the sketchbook as you wish.

11. Now Save to Disk in the usual way. Your own default fabric selection is now saved in the res\default1.pj4 file and will be loaded each time you start a new project.

To restore the original default fabrics.

a. Repeat Steps 1 to 4 above. When the "res" folder's contents are shown on screen, there will be two files "default1" and "defaulteq".

File Menu, select Save ASb. Select "defaulteq"and bring it into EQ4 as usual. Click File, Save As, and save this project with the name "default1".

Save As dialogue box

c. You will be asked if you wish to "Replace the existing file" Click Yes and the original default fabrics will be restored.

Summary: Making a defaulteq file was just my way of doing things. You could quite easily copy the default1 file to a floppy (or other backup device) and then edit the default1 in EQ4 without having two files in the res folder.


Electric Quilt Software review click here

Gordon Cooper is an active member of the Info-EQ list and the programmer of FREEware databases that are geared to create easy to use, information retrieval that allow you save hints, tips (without pictures) and other data to a single place. He has developed 4 FREEware programs ready for download, click the underlined title.

  1. KeepHere: Blank database to store subject of your choice.
  2. KeepMany: Create up to 6 blank databases for subjects of your choice.
  3. YesUcan: An archive of info-EQ mail list answers and setup to allow you to add your own hints and tips.
  4. What Cooks: Blank database to store your recipes.

For more information go to the article by Gordon about Keep Here/Many and YesUcan click here

To join the Info-Eq mail list, click here and go to the website, Planetpatchwork.com. This opens a new window, to return to this website, close the Window.

Hints and Tips for Electric Quilt User Series:

Gordon Cooper Series on Electric Quilt:
Customize the EQ Default Palette with your favorite fabrics so that it automatically opens when you start up the program
Block Size Considerations in Electric Quilt
The Electric Quilt Sketchbook

Patti R. Anderson Series on creative uses for EQ:
 Insert Photo Scans Into a Quilt Layout in Electric Quilt. Patti R. Anderson. This new idea is going to make GREAT memory quilts!
Simple Shape Quilting Designs for Borders Patti R. Anderson. Design and print long runs for the border using simple quilt stencil motifs you design yourself.
Featured Photo Inspired Quilts designed in Electric Quilt by Patti Anderson shown on Sharla Hicks Simply Quilt appearance



More How-to and help for Electric Quilt Users:
YesUcan, a database compiled from questions and answered shared by members of the Info-EQ mail list.
Using Help Files Effectively in Quilting Programs. by Sharla Hicks

Clearing up the Mud surrounding Copyright for Electric Quilt, BlockBase, SewPrecise and their Support Books. by Penny McMorris
Electric Quilt Website Review by Sharla Hicks: a great resource for all EQ users
Info-EQ Archives -- how to use them by Penny McMorris of Electric Quilt
EQ's Stash Fabric CDs: How to Convert Fabric Bitmaps from Stash to CorelDRAW pattern fill by Myrna Giesbrecht
How to Create Tessellations using your Quilt Software Instructions for EQ, Quilt-Pro and PCQuilt by Sharla Hicks

Past Articles for Electric Quilt 3
Win 95: here's a quick way to change the name of an EQ 3 project file by Penny McMorris of Electric Quilt.
FAQ: Electric Quilt 3 for DOS printing problems answered by Penny McMorris of Electric Quilt Company (these problems are not associated with Electric Quilt 4 which is a Windows 95/98/NT program

Newsletter index for all issues
Table of contents for this issue

View PIX Catalog pages for latest exciting products
Books 20% off—10-15% off most other products—up to 25% off Save Dollar Packages

Quilting Software

1000+ Books

Notions Fabrics Paper Piecing Patterns
Gifts
For Quilters, Sewers & Crafters		 Embellishments
Stitched Appliqués,
Foils, Glitter, Petals		 Paints, Pens,
Dyes & Inks 		Beads
& Charms		 Laurel Burch
Totes, Mugs, Plates, Jewelry, Socks, Buttons 		Threads, Ribbons, Yarns & Angelina Fibers, Roving
Search ALL

Site Map shows website structure and overview

Feedback and questions are welcome!
e-mail: info@softexpressions.com


Back Issue to Computer Quilting Made Easy Reviews to 23+ quilting software programsDemos to quilting software, try before you buy!Galleries: Sharla's Quilt, Comptuer Quilting Software examples, & Stolen Quilts
FREE online newsletter with reviews, how-to tutorials,
product updates, & frequently asked questions answered.

Name: E-mail:

Your privacy is guaranteed on our Secure Server.
We do NOT sell e-mail addresses to anyone


Soft Expressions, 2850 E. Mesa Verde Dr. #103, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 Toll Free USA: 888-545-8616 Fax: 714-545-0564 Phone: 714-545-8616
Map Click Here

Pacific Time Zone
Office Hours: Monday to Friday 8 AM to 4:30 PM
Will Call at Warehouse: Monday to Friday 10 AM to 4:30 PM

HomeStoreReviewsNewslettersGalleriesSharlaHelpLinks

Website Design by Soft Expressions, all text and art contained on this site © 1996-2007