If you want to import fabric into EQ5, you must have a scanner that you can use. You do not need to cut your fabric to fit the scanner; just lay the fabric on the screen and then scan it. Put the fabric picture into a folder in either Documents or Pictures, and give it a name. In EQ5, you must save it as a bitmap (bmp). It doesn't like jpeg files.
1. Open EQ5.
2. Go to Libraries, click the User Library. Click one of the +s and make a name for that style of fabric.
3. Click on Add to Fabric Library. Find the picture of your fabric and click on it.
4. It will enter in the Library Box.

To use this fabric, click on the user library, select the fabric, and it will show up in the sketchbook, usually at the end of the slider.

Very helpful. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you. Please let me know if there are any problems with the instructions. Judy

Do you happen to know the resolution of the .bmp file to make the fabric picture look the same size of the actual fabric? tia

I know the resolution for EQ6 & 7: 72 or 75. It should probably work here, too. Let me know if that helps. Judy

I was told by the company rep that you need to make sure your pic is small and not large. I was scanning mine and didn't know you had to resize them. I kept getting ran out of memory messages and it wouldn't let me use my EQ5. I now pay attention to that. However I still haven't really gotten the size that makes it look the same as in real life.

Judy any suggestions?

Using the resolution of 72 or 75 will make your pictures small. If you are using, EQ5, I don't believe that the program will enlarge the fabrics.

EQ 6 & 7 will do that for you.

Some scanners will allow you to choose your resolution. Or, you may have to crop.

(I talked to my sister about getting the smaller resolution, and she said to ask our children! They can do anything!)

Thanks you, Judy, I'm not at home will try it as soon as I get home!

thanks great information

Thanks for sharing this! I usually save my pictures from fabric.com and switch to a bitmap file to be able to import. This allows my to 'try' a fabric before I even purchase it!

Wow! That is a great idea! Thanks,

Thanks so much. I had never figured out how to do this. (Hate reading instruction books!) and it's really useful information.

Yea! I understand your instructions. Simple and to the point. I could not understand how to do this from my book. I will try as soon as I can this morning.

Okay that sounds like a good idea to have pictures of all your fabric.. BUT what is EQ5?? I have never heard of this.

EQ5 is an earlier version of Electric Quilt, a computer program that lets you design blocks and quits, or use their library of blocks, or fabrics. There is also an EQ6 & 7. EQ7 lets you work with images and photos in the program. This software reminds me of Windows. There is so much you can learn about the program, but if you know a little, you can use it well. And if you want to learn more, you can use it to a greater extent.

I use EQ7 everyday. Judy

Hi! EQ stands for Electric Quilt software, if you want to find out more about the software, check out their website http://www.electricquilt.com/ Its a wonderful program! Chris

thanks!

Someone asked me this question, so I thought it might benefit all of us here:

Please help me. I just got a use copy of EQ5 with upgrade on embroidery patterns for ebay. My question is how do I get the embroidery designs out of EQ5 and in to my embroidery machine to make my embroidery quilt.

This was my answer:

The embroidery designs do not actually come with EQ. The designs are on Amazing Designs software. They just let you play with them in EQ, so you can see how they look on your quilt before you purchase the designs.

I wish they were included, but they don't come that way.

Thank you so much for explaining this procedure of how to scan your fabric on EQ5. Pictures are always a big help. I will try it today. :D

I have tried what you posted at the top several times and I cannot get it to save in my library. Also, you can take a pic load it to your computer and go under microsoft paint and change it to a BMP file. that's what I did. works great and easy.