2026-05-09

Why density heatmaps matter (and why nobody else has them)

A density heatmap counts stitches per unit area and colors the resulting grid:

• Green — safe density. Fabric handles needle penetrations comfortably.
• Yellow — caution. Some thinning expected on stretchy fabrics.
• Red — tear risk. Backing or repair needed.

How we computed it

Pattern stitches → 2D grid of cell counts → normalize to 0–1 → color ramp. The grid resolution scales with hoop size; default cell is 1mm² for a 10×10cm design.

Why competitors don't ship it

Hatch and Embrilliance have density adjustment as a manual operation. Wilcom EmbroideryStudio shows density numerically but not visually. The heatmap is a small piece of code — but it changes how you see a design.

How to use it

Toggle from the bottom toolbar (D). Run Tools → Density Repair to auto-cull hot cells. Run a sample. Cull more if needed.