Friday, January 3, 2020

EQ8 ++ Snap Grid Options Tutorial

I love EQ8 by the Electric Quilt Company and use it to design almost every single one of my quilts.  I have had the chance to teach EQ8 to a number of guilds, at QuiltCon, and at the EQ Academy. 

I have just been given the opportunity to partner with EQ over the next few months to help spread the word and teach more about EQ8.  What does that mean for you?  More blog posts filled with tips and tricks for EQ8, behinds the scenes looks at my design process, giveaways, and more!


Today, I would like to show you a little feature of EQ8 that I learned when I was teaching at the EQ Academy...did you know you can customize your grid display?  You can change both the size of the grid dots and the color.  You can make the grid larger and darker to make it easier to see or smaller and gray to make it blend in more with the background.

Here is the default setting for the grid display: small, green grid dots.


To change the grid...

On the left hand side of the screen, click on the Worktable Options icon shaped like a gear (it is the bottom icon).


This brings up the Drawing Board Setup window.  Click on Snap Grid.


You can change the Grid Display from Small grid dots, to Medium grid dots, or Large grid dots.  You can also select from 8 different colors.


Here is my new grid setup with medium grid dots in a magenta color.  I find that this combo is very easy to see when I use my smaller (and less bright) lap top screen instead of my stand alone monitor.



I hope that you have found this tutorial to be helpful!  If you have ideas on what you would like EQ8 tutorials on, please leave them in the comments below.







The Electric Quilt Company is generously offering a special coupon code for my readers.  Use can use EQ8CHERYL for 20% off of their entire website, ElectricQuilt.com (EQ8, EQ8 upgrades, books, add-ons, etc.). The code is good until March 31, 2020.













11 comments:

  1. Looking forward to more of your EQ8 series. Did you previously work in EQ7? If so, what are your thoughts about the differences between 7 and 8? I'm still using 7 which meets my needs and I haven't decided whether to invest in 8 or not.

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  2. I've been using EQ since version 3 and what I've learned is that there is still a lot to learn about this software. I'm looking forward to reading those tips that you've discovered.

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  3. I love that feature. It does help to adjust for those laptop screeens.

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  4. I am about to purchase EQ8 so I'm pleased you'll be doing tutorials.

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  5. Thanks for the tip. Looking forward to learning more.

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  6. thanks for the tip. I had EQ8 last month, so I have a lot to learn!

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  7. That's a setting feature I didn't know was available. Thanks for the tip. I'm looking forward to learning more. I have a learn it when you need it approach to EQ8, so I'm probably not as efficient as I could be with my designs.

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  8. I have used EQ7 and now have 8. I am finally feeling more comfortable with it however one can always learn more!!

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  9. Thanks for the tip! I got EQ8 for my birthday last month and there is so much to learn! Every little bit helps!

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  10. how do you figure out the math for the grid points required for each size of block?
    how do you download and install fabric swatches from manufactures web sites into EQ7 & EQ8?

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    1. Great questions! I will try to cover them in upcoming posts. Thanks!

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Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment!