Short answer: place corner points with a left-click and curve points with a right-click, then refine the shape with the Select tool. Drag nodes to move them, double-click an edge to add one, press Delete to remove one, press N to switch a node between corner and smooth, and drag the Bézier handles to bend the curve (Alt+drag moves one handle on its own). Use as few nodes as possible: clean curves sew cleaner.
The difference between a lumpy hand-digitized shape and a smooth one is rarely the stitches. It's the outline. Embroidery magnifies every wobble in a shape's edge, because the satin or fill follows it exactly. Good node editing is how you get smooth curves with few points.
Corner points and curve points
While drawing with Fill, Satin, Run or Appliqué:
- Left-click places a corner point. The outline turns sharply there.
- Right-click or Ctrl+click places a curve point. The outline flows smoothly through it.
- On a touch screen, long-press makes a curve point.
When you finish the shape, curve points become Bézier nodes with handles that describe the same curve. A shape made only of corner points stays a simple polygon.
How many points? Fewer than you think:
- Circle: 4 curve points.
- Gentle S-curve: 3 curve points.
- Straight edges: corner points at each end, nothing in between.
Editing nodes
Select a single object with the Select tool (V) and its nodes appear. Square nodes are corners; round nodes are smooth.
| Action | How |
|---|---|
| Move a node | Drag it |
| Add a node | Double-click on an edge (curves are split without changing their shape) |
| Delete a node | Select it and press Delete or Backspace, or click ✕ Delete node |
| Corner ↔ smooth | Press N, double-click the node, or click Make smooth / Make corner |
| Bend a curve | Drag a Bézier handle |
| Break a curve into a cusp | Alt+drag one handle (long-press on touch) |
A closed shape keeps at least 3 nodes, a line at least 2, and a two-rail column at least 2 rungs. On a column, double-clicking an edge adds a new rung across both rails.
Working with handles
- On a smooth node, the two handles stay in line, so the curve passes through smoothly. Drag one and the other swings to match (keeping its own length).
- Handle length controls how far the curve keeps going in that direction. Longer handles make fuller curves; short handles make tighter turns.
- Alt+drag moves one handle independently, making a cusp: a sharp point with curves on both sides, like the top of a heart.
- When you make a node smooth, its handles are set along the line through its neighbours, a third of the way to each. That's a good starting point for most curves.
Bézier editing works on fills, centreline satins and running lines. Two-rail columns are edited by their rungs instead. Stitch-font lettering is edited with the lettering settings, not node by node.
Snap and measure
- Snap (top bar) rounds points to a 1 mm grid while you draw and drag nodes. It's useful for badges, borders and anything geometric.
- Measure (U) shows the distance in mm and inches, plus the angle, for checking column widths and letter heights.
Transform without losing density
Select one or more objects and use the transform box:
- Corner handles scale proportionally (hold Alt to stretch freely).
- Edge handles stretch one direction (hold Shift for uniform scaling).
- The rotate handle turns the selection (hold Shift to snap to 15°). Fill angles rotate with it.
- Arrow keys nudge 0.5 mm; with Shift, 5 mm.
Because EasyDigitizer stores shapes, not stitches, every resize regenerates the stitches, so density, underlay and pull compensation stay correct. That's the big advantage over stretching a DST on the machine. The Design tab's Size & transform panel resizes, rotates 90°, mirrors and centres the whole design.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Bézier node in embroidery software?
A point on a shape's outline with handles that control how the curve enters and leaves it. Dragging the handles bends the curve without adding more points.
How do I make a sharp point on a curved shape?
Make that node a corner (press N), or Alt+drag one of its handles to break the curve into a cusp.
Why do my embroidered curves look lumpy?
Usually too many nodes, or nodes placed unevenly. Delete extras and use a few smooth nodes with well-placed handles.
Does resizing an object change the stitch density?
Not in EasyDigitizer: stitches are regenerated after every resize, so density stays at its setting.