KXStitch

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Introduction

KXStitch is a program that lets you create cross stitch patterns and charts. Patterns can be created from scratch on a user defined size of grid, which can be enlarged or reduced in size as your pattern progresses. Alternatively you can import images from many graphics formats or scan images using any Sane supported scanner. Both of these options allow you to restrict the conversion to full stitches or optionally use fractional stitches. You may also use an image as a background. These imported images can then be modified using the supplied tools to produce your final design.

There are many tools to aid designing your pattern, from open and filled rectangles and ellipses, filled polygons and lines and backstitching. Additionally cut, copy and paste can be used to duplicate selected areas. Selected areas can also be rotated 90, 180 and 270 degrees anti clockwise, or mirrored horizontally or vertically.

There is also a pattern library that can be used to store small and not so small portions of patterns that can then be reused in other patterns. The patterns in these library are stored in a hierarchial list that makes it easy to sort and navigate them to find the ones you want.

When your ready, you can print out your design in several formats. There are options to print out cover sheets, instructions and a floss key including amount of thread used and number of stitches.

Latest Information

A few people have emailed me recently asking if KXStitch was a dead project, as there have been no updates for a while.

KXStitch is still in development, although I am currently looking at a major rewrite. There are a lot of new features that I am wanting to add which don't fit in very well with the current architecture. I am still doing patches for critical problems, for example, I have been informed that importing images using remote protocols causes KXStitch to crash. This has now been fixed in CVS, so if this problem affects you, then please update to the latest code in CVS.

For your interest I am currently looking at the following features, in no particular order:

  • Undo / Redo
  • Making selections scrolles the editor window
  • Palettes containing flosses from multiple schemes
  • Independant counts of fabric horizontally and vertically
  • Ability to hide / show specific colours in the pattern or otherwise highlight them
  • Ability to define the number of threads used for stitching
  • Ability to define the symbol used for a floss
  • Stitching over 1 on an over 2 pattern
  • Beading
  • Creating of special stitch diagrams
  • Blended flosses
  • Show usage of flosses in the properties dialog
  • Allow font and colour control in the instructions
  • Layout tools allowing full customization of the printed output
  • Inserting rows and columns
  • Allow cropping of the imported images
  • Adding scales to the printed outputs
  • Adding notes to the pattern

If anyone has any other features they would like adding, this is the time to let me know.

If anyone is having any trouble with anything else, please feel free to email me and I will do my best to fix anything that is broken. New features, however, are unlikely to get added in the near future, although they will be considered during the redevelopment phase.

Intended Platform

KXStitch is being developed for Linux using KDE/QT

Features

  • Creation of new patterns
  • Editing of existing patterns - KXStitch is now capable of reading PC Stitch 5 files.
  • Use of various floss pallets, DMC, Anchor, Madeira
  • Creation of custom palettes and colours.
  • Use of standard stitches
  • Free use of backstitching
  • Importing of various picture formats
  • Printing of patterns and floss keys

For a more in depth look at the feature list, check out the features page.

Licensing

This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.

Download

Version 0.7 of KXStitch is now available for download. Changelog is available here

Go to the project page for the following packages.

  • Source tarball
  • Binary and source RPMs for SuSE 9.2
  • Binary and source RPMs for Fedora Core 3 supplied by Jeff Siddall
  • Binary RPM for Fedora Core 4 supplied by Leigh Purdie

Additional SuSE packages are available here (Guru's RPM Site)

An RPM for Mandriva Linux has been supplied by MandrivaClub.NL which can be found here

The current code is available via CVS on the Project Page.

Contacts

There are currently 2 mailing lists available, kxstitch-devel@lists.sourceforge.net and kxstitch-users@lists.sourceforge.net. To subscribe to either of these lists, use the Mailing Lists link on the left.

If you wish to get in touch with the developer to make suggestions or requests please email Steve or use the public areas of the Project Page

I am occasionally available on ICQ#282546621