First stop for live support...Please review this manual. It is not that long. Then try the QPI Community Facebook Group for answers. (click image) The FAQ at the bottom will be updated with common questions seen in this forum.
If you still have issues, please use the contact form to request personal assistance. |
VideosThere will be a whole page of training videos available for QIP after version 1.1 is released. MK put together a quick video on file management of quilt patterns. This applies whether you are using QPI or not.
QPI does not delete or move (copy and delete) patterns. This is done intentionally so that we can say that it is safe to put on your tablet at the machine if you so choose. You must use the File Explorer application to actually manage the files and directory structure.
QIP copies files, does backups of your patterns, and provides the indexing and viewing functions that most users need. |
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This page will be updated regularly.
Instructions
Installation and running for the first time
After running the qpisetup1.#.exe file, you should end up with a QPI icon on your desktop. As with any other program, simply double-click/double-tap the icon to run the program. If you are not currently licensed to use the program, the 'about' window will display. There is a 14 day trial period from when you first install QPI.
After running the qpisetup1.#.exe file, you should end up with a QPI icon on your desktop. As with any other program, simply double-click/double-tap the icon to run the program. If you are not currently licensed to use the program, the 'about' window will display. There is a 14 day trial period from when you first install QPI.
Finding the patterns
By default, the program will scan and import pattern files found in C:\Designs on the local hard drive. This is the default storage location for the free Handi Quilter patterns. It will also look for a "Designs" folder in your "Documents" folder. (C:\users\<yourname>\Documents\Designs). This is a good place to keep your purchased patterns. You may add and delete folders to be searched by the QPI program by selecting FILE->Settings options through the standard menu.
By default, the program will scan and import pattern files found in C:\Designs on the local hard drive. This is the default storage location for the free Handi Quilter patterns. It will also look for a "Designs" folder in your "Documents" folder. (C:\users\<yourname>\Documents\Designs). This is a good place to keep your purchased patterns. You may add and delete folders to be searched by the QPI program by selecting FILE->Settings options through the standard menu.
ENCRYPTED PATTERNS CAN NOT BE MANAGED BY QPI. These patterns normally have a file extension ending with the letter 'x'. When buying patterns, all patterns should be uncompressed (unzipped) as directed by the designer. Unsupported file types will simply be ignored.
It is not recommended that you attempt to manage patterns maintained on USB memory sticks. This may lead to serious performance issues. The number of patterns and speed of your storage device (hard drive or SSD) will impact initial startup performance.
The QPI program window
The QPI window has a standard two pane layout common to many programs. The left side has a familiar folder tree layout with top level folders for these major categories:
The right side will contain thumbnails of patterns. This may be filtered by the selection in the left pane or a keyword search parameter entered at the top of the window.
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There is nothing you can do within the QPI program that will delete or modify a pattern. The Duplicate Patterns window does open a File Explorer window so you may delete or move a file. However, the File Explorer is a feature of the operating system that you should have experience using and use carefully. QPI can run on the Handi Quilter tablet, but will require activation. One license required per user, not machine. However if you need assistance in setting it up, there will be a service charge.
Basic Controls
Single click/tap
A single click or finger tap will select a folder item in the left pane. In order to avoid the issues people can have with double click/tap, we have implemented a 'select' button that will change the single click/tap mode between 'Select' and 'Multi-select'. A single click/tap will open a larger preview image of a selected thumbnail when in 'select mode'. (Multiple windows can be opened.) In situations where you need to select multiple thumbnails, you can select the button to enable 'multi-select' mode.
A single click or finger tap will select a folder item in the left pane. In order to avoid the issues people can have with double click/tap, we have implemented a 'select' button that will change the single click/tap mode between 'Select' and 'Multi-select'. A single click/tap will open a larger preview image of a selected thumbnail when in 'select mode'. (Multiple windows can be opened.) In situations where you need to select multiple thumbnails, you can select the button to enable 'multi-select' mode.
Context Sensitive Right Click Menu
A 'context sensitive' menu normally appears when you click the right mouse button. What menu appears depends on where the mouse cursor is on the screen. When using a touch screen, the same right click function is performed by "touch and hold". If you touch and hold your finger still on the same spot, a box appears around your finger. Lifting your finger off the screen will cause the "context sensitive menu"/"right-click menu" to appear.
The thumbnails and preview windows have context sensitive menus that can be used to do various advanced functions.
A 'context sensitive' menu normally appears when you click the right mouse button. What menu appears depends on where the mouse cursor is on the screen. When using a touch screen, the same right click function is performed by "touch and hold". If you touch and hold your finger still on the same spot, a box appears around your finger. Lifting your finger off the screen will cause the "context sensitive menu"/"right-click menu" to appear.
The thumbnails and preview windows have context sensitive menus that can be used to do various advanced functions.
Selection and Search Tips
There are two main sections of the QPI main program window, the left pane and the right pane. The left pane has a pseudo tree layout while the right pane will have a grid of thumbnail images. What you have selected on the left will not only effect what is displayed on the right, but it will also determine the starting point of the search that is perform from the top search input line. Without a search, the right pane will display only patterns in that folder and not also the sub-folders. Therefore, selecting a folder that does not have any designs in it will display nothing.
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A search will look through all the subfolders. In this case, the search keyword "leaf" pulled up many patterns. It also now lists the search in the left pane 'Recent Searches' tree listing, showing where the search started from. You may re-select any previous search results, however it does not actually re-run the search.
TOOLTIPS are the box that appears when hovering the cursor (not clicking) over many objects throughout the program.
Right Pane Selection Options - Single or Multiple
By default, clicking/tapping on the thumbnail will cause the preview window to appear with a larger image of the pattern. You may select the button at the top right of the main window to enable multiple selection of images. This is a toggle function. |
Preview Windows
You may open one or more preview windows from various folders. The context sensitive right-click menu (mentioned above) allows for use of advanced features. You may move and resize the windows to compare several patterns in more detail. The 'Copy File to' option can be used to efficiently copy that pattern to a USB drive and/or customer specific folder. Keywords can be added or modified by using the input line at the bottom of the window. Please see the 'Keywords' section for more details on assigning and managing the keywords. If a specific pattern does not appear to render properly, please feel free to copy the file to a folder, zip/compress it, and email or post it for verification.
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License Activation and Free Trial Period
The program will run for 14 days from the initial installation without purchasing a license. Purchasing the QPI program consists of buying and downloading a small activation program. When run, the program licenses the program to that computer. Additional activations can be requested for the same user to run the program on additional computers or to transfer to other computers used by the same individual. This license will entitle the user to all 'dot'/minor releases.
Please use the link on the www.quiltpatternindexer.com website to pay for and download your activation key.
The activation licensing is kept very simple and does little to prevent piracy. When you purchase the activation program, it is simply telling the computer that you own a license. The purchase process will document your name and contact information so that we may support you better.
Please use the link on the www.quiltpatternindexer.com website to pay for and download your activation key.
The activation licensing is kept very simple and does little to prevent piracy. When you purchase the activation program, it is simply telling the computer that you own a license. The purchase process will document your name and contact information so that we may support you better.
Keywords
Keywords (or tags) can be assigned to patterns individually or through use of the 'Manage Keywords' dialog box. Managing the keywords across thousands of designs is challenging. The search function will search the file names, so even without keywords you will see helpful functionality.
A default set of keywords [will be] included for the free patterns that are included with the Handi Quilter Pro-Stitcher. Anyone can share their exported keywords with another user as no patterns are copied with the export. The QPI program does not include any patterns within the distribution. It is the user's responsibility to do the file management of the actual pattern files using the standard File Explorer program. QPI will only copy patterns that it finds in the specified directories to other locations. It does not delete nor physically move files. (If a pattern disappears, we did not do it.)
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IMPORTING / EXPORTING KEYWORDS
Keyword information is stored in the user's hidden data folders. In order to backup, share, or simply copy the information to another computer will require that you export the information to a file. The extension on the file will be ".qpi.json".
Importing the "*.qpi.json" file will add the keyword information to a computer, even if the pattern is not available on that computer. If and when the pattern is installed in a folder that the QPI program is configured to watch, it will apply the keywords.
NO PATTERNS ARE COPIED OR MOVED BY THE IMPORT/EXPORT OPTION. |
Managing Keywords
The 'Keywords' tree option on the left pane can be used to review and select a keyword display all patterns tagged with that keyword. When you open any preview window for a pattern, you will be showed a 'space separated' list of keywords (if any) for that one pattern. You may also use the select button at the top right of the main window to toggle to multi-select mode and check several patterns.
When you have more than one pattern selected, you may choose 'Manage Keywords' from a context sensitive right-click menu.
The previously selected patterns now represented with small thumbnails on the right can not be changed, however the tooltips will provide information about each file. You may use the left side of the dialog window to add and remove keywords to all the selected patterns. Note that after you type in a new keyword, you need to select the checkbox to apply it. |
Create Backup
The option, "Create Backup...", found under the File menu will copy all patterns to a folder titled "Patterns Backup (<date>)". You may choose where this folder is saved. We recommend saving it to a USB key or network drive. The current keyword information is also exported to a "keywords.qpi.json" file within the backup folder.
This is not intended to be used for copying the patterns for illegal purposes. However, it is recommended that you keep keep an offline copy for recovery or migration to a new PC.
This is not intended to be used for copying the patterns for illegal purposes. However, it is recommended that you keep keep an offline copy for recovery or migration to a new PC.
Find Duplicate FilesThere are many reasons to have duplicate files. The QPI interface can show you duplicate files based on the contents, not just the name. Even if two designs are named "corner borders" by two different designers, they will not truly be the same file. A hash value is created from the contents of each file to make sure they are really the same.
The Duplicate Patterns dialog box will show you the duplicate files and allow you to select a file and press the "Open in File Explorer". At this point it is up to you as to what you want to do with the file. |
SettingsUnder the 'settings' menu option, you will be allowed to modify important parameters of the program.
INDEXED FOLDERS (Directories)
Indexed (searched) folders can be added or deleted from the list to control where the QPI program looks for patterns. All sub-folders are searched, so make sure you only select the folders you need. Selecting the root "C:\" folder will cause the searching of the entire computer every time the program is started. This will take time and is not recommended. Removing a folder from this list does not remove the keyword information from the QPI program. If you add the folder back later, the keyword information will be restored as well. |
Refresh Tree
The QPI program will monitor folders that existed when it was started. If new folders are added while the program is running, it may be necessary to use the "Refresh Tree" option in the File menu to get it to show up in the program. (Restarting the program will also do this.)
Exit
If you looked to this section to have the 'Exit' menu item explained, please stick to free motion quilting. :-)
Help
The 'Help' menu option should have brought you to this support web page.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
I can't see any designs in the QPI window
The QPI program looks for designs in C:\Designs and the users <user>\Documents\Design folder if it exists. By default, Pro-Stitcher loads free designs into the C:\Designs folder on the PS tablet at the machine. But these need to be copied to the computer running the simulator software. If you have personally purchased designs, you can save them into a Documents\Designs folder or add the folder where you do store them into the list that QPI monitors. Simply select File->Settings.
The QPI program looks for designs in C:\Designs and the users <user>\Documents\Design folder if it exists. By default, Pro-Stitcher loads free designs into the C:\Designs folder on the PS tablet at the machine. But these need to be copied to the computer running the simulator software. If you have personally purchased designs, you can save them into a Documents\Designs folder or add the folder where you do store them into the list that QPI monitors. Simply select File->Settings.
Some of the thumbnails are blank or bad
Many of the patterns found in 'C:\Designs\HQ Designs' have bad embedded thumbnails. This has been reported to Handi Quilter. These are the new .hqv files that are provided by HQ. We are uncertain as to how they are displaying these within PS. You can see that the third party .hqv patterns do not have this issue.
Many of the patterns found in 'C:\Designs\HQ Designs' have bad embedded thumbnails. This has been reported to Handi Quilter. These are the new .hqv files that are provided by HQ. We are uncertain as to how they are displaying these within PS. You can see that the third party .hqv patterns do not have this issue.
Some of my designs are not showing up
The program supports the HQF and HQV... soon the QLI file formats. You must uncompress/unzip the files into a folder. Restart the program to insure that the new files are found.
The program supports the HQF and HQV... soon the QLI file formats. You must uncompress/unzip the files into a folder. Restart the program to insure that the new files are found.
What is a 'dot' release?
When you purchase the QPI program, you will be entitled to use the program as long as you have a machine that will run the program. For the sake of this discussion, we are talking Windows 7 and Windows 10 systems. You are also entitled to any 'dot releases'. These are usually bug fixes and minor enhancements needed to keep it running well. The 'dot' signifies the decimal in the program version number. If you buy version 1.0... you are entitled to version 1.0, 1.05, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.35, etc.
In order to fund major new features (if ever required), a new full version release will be issued. For example: Version 2.0 or 3.0. Existing customers of a previous release will be given a 50% discount on the new version. The old version will continue to operate on the supported platforms, so you do not lose anything.
Our goal for software tools is to keep them simple and focused on our customer. Features that add complexity and address other audiences will likely be kept as a separate product. This will keep the cost of the tools reasonable so you have more money for quilting.
When you purchase the QPI program, you will be entitled to use the program as long as you have a machine that will run the program. For the sake of this discussion, we are talking Windows 7 and Windows 10 systems. You are also entitled to any 'dot releases'. These are usually bug fixes and minor enhancements needed to keep it running well. The 'dot' signifies the decimal in the program version number. If you buy version 1.0... you are entitled to version 1.0, 1.05, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.35, etc.
In order to fund major new features (if ever required), a new full version release will be issued. For example: Version 2.0 or 3.0. Existing customers of a previous release will be given a 50% discount on the new version. The old version will continue to operate on the supported platforms, so you do not lose anything.
Our goal for software tools is to keep them simple and focused on our customer. Features that add complexity and address other audiences will likely be kept as a separate product. This will keep the cost of the tools reasonable so you have more money for quilting.