Stop Hunting in Program Files: The Real Floriani Total Control U Custom Shapes Folder (and 3 Fast Ways to Build a Reusable Shape Library)

If you have ever followed the built-in Help instructions in Floriani Total Control U to save a Custom Shape and thought, "Am I losing my mind? That folder isn't here," stop worrying. You aren't crazy. I have watched seasoned digitizers waste an hour on this because the official documentation points to a file path that simply does not exist on modern Windows systems.

This guide rebuilds the workflow from the ground up, correcting the errors in the manual. More importantly, we will apply production-grade discipline to this process. Saving a shape is easy; saving a clean, stitch-ready asset that doesn't cause thread breaks or "bird nesting" later requires a bit more expertise.

The Floriani Total Control U Help Path That Sends You on a Wild Goose Chase

In the video, the presenter opens the Floriani Help guide. It confidently tells you to look under Program Files (x86). He then opens Windows Explorer and proves the reality: the Library folder is missing from that location.

This causes immediate cognitive friction for new users. You might think you installed the software incorrectly or that Windows permissions are blocking you. The truth is much simpler: The documentation is outdated regarding Windows file architecture.

What a Floriani “Custom Shape” Really Buys You (Speed, Consistency, and Fewer Rebuilds)

Why bother fixing this? Because a "Custom Shape" in Floriani is a stored vector outline. It is the DNA of a design before stitch properties are applied.

By saving the outline (like the guitar or bomb icon shown in the video), you can instantly convert that single shape into:

• Run Stitch: For placement lines.
• Satin Stitch: For borders or patches.
• Fill Stitch: For solid backgrounds.
• Appliqué: By combining the above.

In the video, the presenter converts a guitar outline into a run stitch with a 2.5 mm length. This is a critical "Sweet Spot" for run stitches:

• < 2.0 mm: Risks cutting fabric fibers (creates holes).
• > 4.0 mm: Stitches become loose and snag easily.
• 2.5 mm - 3.0 mm: The industry standard for durable underlay and travel stitches.

From a business standpoint, this stops you from "digitizing the same thing twice." However, software speed is only half the equation. If you digitize a logo in 5 minutes but spend 15 minutes fighting with hoop burn or crooked placement, you haven't actually saved time. This is where the workflow intersects with physical tools like SEWTECH multi-needle machines or upgraded frames—balancing digital speed with physical efficiency.

The “Hidden Folder” Fix: Where Floriani Total Control U Actually Stores Custom Shapes on Windows

Here is the definitive fix. The folder isn't missing; it is hidden by the operating system.

The correct directory is: C:ProgramDataFlorianiTCULibraryCustom Shapes

How to get there (The "Backdoor" Method)

1. Open the Save Dialog: Go to Tools > Save Custom Shape.
2. Target the Drive: Click your C: drive on the left sidebar.
3. Override the View: Click once in the top address bar. The breadcrumb trail will turn into text.
4. Type Manually: Place your cursor at the end of C:, type ProgramData (one word), and hit Enter.
5. Navigate: Open Floriani > TCU > Library > Custom Shapes.

Warning: Do not try to "force" a fix by creating a new Library folder inside Program Files (x86). This creates a "Ghost Path" situation where your software saves files to one place but reads them from another. Always use the ProgramData path.

Pro tip from the video

Once you successfully navigate to this folder one time, Floriani usually caches the location. The next time you save, it should default to the correct hidden folder.

Method 1 (Fastest): Import Wingdings TrueType Artwork and Save It as a Custom Shape

This is a classic digitizer's shortcut: using symbol fonts (like Wingdings) as vector art.

What he does on screen

• Select Tool: Choose Import TTF Artwork.
• Select Font: Choose Wingdings.
• Type: The character “M” (which renders as a bomb icon).
• Crucial Step: In Properties, he unchecks “Fill”.

Sensory Check: When "Fill" is checked, the object looks like a solid block of color on screen. When you uncheck it, you should see a thin, crisp line. Custom Shapes must be outlines. If you try to save a filled object, the software will struggle to apply new stitch types to it later.

Save it

• Go to Tools > Save Custom Shape.
• Navigate to the ProgramData path.
• Name it clearly (e.g., icon_bomb_outline).

Expected outcome

The shape appears in your library list immediately.

Commercial Context: If you are building a library of shapes for uniforms (like shields, badges, or rockers), your bottleneck will eventually shift from designing to hooping. Standard hoops often leave "hoop burn" (shininess) on dark polyesters. This is why many shops integrating these custom shape workflows also upgrade to a embroidery hooping station. It standardizes placement so your perfect digital shape lands in the perfect spot on the shirt, every single time.

The “Hidden” Prep Most People Skip (and Then Wonder Why Their Shapes Edit Weird)

The video moves fast, but as an educator, I need to pause here. Garbage In, Garbage Out. If you save a "messy" vector, every design you make with it will have stitch quality issues.

Clean-outline habits that make Custom Shapes actually reusable

1. Node Hygiene: A smooth curve should have 3 nodes. If your shape has 50 nodes for a simple curve, your machine will stutter.
2. High Contrast: When using auto-tools, use simple black-and-white silhouettes.
3. Gap Checks: Ensure the outline is "closed." An open shape cannot be filled with Tatami stitches later.

Visual Anchor: Zoom in on your vector line. Does it look like a smooth highway, or does it look like a rocky mountain road? If it's rocky, use the "Smooth" tool before saving.

Prep Checklist (Do this BEFORE saving)

• Path Verification: Confirmed I can access C:ProgramData... manually.
• Fill Check: Is the "Fill" box unchecked in properties?
• Complexity Check: Does the shape utilize the minimum number of nodes (points) necessary?
• Naming: Did I use a descriptive name (e.g., badge_shield_3inch) rather than generic (e.g., shape1)?
• Consumables: Do I have a caliper or ruler handy to measure the real-world size of the icon?

Method 2 (Most Control): Trace a Backdrop Image with the Straight Line Tool

Manual tracing is the "eat your vegetables" of digitizing. It isn't fun, but it keeps you healthy.

What he does on screen

• Load Backdrop: Imports a snail shell image.
• Tool: Uses the Straight Line tool (or Bézier) to click around the perimeter.
• Close & Save: Ensures the start and end points meet.

Expert note: Why manual tracing beats AI

Auto-digitizing often interprets shadows as solid objects. Manual tracing allows you to ignore the "noise" and capture only the essential geometry.

If you are tracing shapes for appliqué, precision is non-negotiable. The outline becomes your cutting line. If that line is wobbly, your fabric patch won't fit. Perfection here saves frustration at the machine. Speaking of machine frustration, repetitive appliqué work is the number one reason users search for hooping for embroidery machine solutions—combining precise shapes with magnetic hoops transforms a tedious multi-step process into a fast production capabilities.

Method 3 (Quickest for Silhouettes): Magic Wand a Santa Silhouette and Save It

The "Magic Wand" is a contrast-detection tool. It works best on Silhouettes.

What he does on screen

• Source: Finds a high-contrast black/white Santa silhouette.
• Action: Selects Magic Wand, clicks the black area.
• Result: Instant vector outline.
• Save: Hides the background image and saves the vector.

Expected outcome: A clean, closed capability shape ready for fills or satins.

The "Jagged Edge" Trap: Magic Wands often create "stairstep" edges on low-resolution images.

• Visual Check: Zoom to 600%. If the line looks like a staircase, apply a "Smooth" function.
• Auditory Check: If you stitch a jagged line, your machine will sound different—a rapid-fire, high-pitched "zz-zz-zz" sound as the pantograph makes micro-movements. This causes friction and thread breaks.

The “Why” Behind the ProgramData Folder (and How Not to Lose Your Library Later)

Windows uses the ProgramData folder for files that are shared between all users on a PC but are not part of the core installation.

The Risk: Because this folder is hidden, most backup software skips it by default. The Fix: If you spend weeks building a Custom Shape library:

1. Navigate to the folder using the method above.
2. Right-click Custom Shapes -> Send to -> Compressed (zipped) folder.
3. Email that zip file to yourself or save it to the cloud.

If your computer crashes, this 30-second habit saves you 30 hours of work. Efficiency isn't just about fast stitching; it's about not repeating work. This matches the philosophy behind using a hooping station for embroidery machine—it is a one-time setup investment that prevents the repetitive error of crooked logos.

A Stabilizer Decision Tree for When Your New Shapes Become Real Stitching (Not Just Screen Time)

You have your shape. Now you need to stitch it. The #1 reason good designs fail is bad stabilization. Use this logic to make the right choice 90% of the time.

Decision Tree: What goes under the hoop?

1. Is the fabric stretchy? (T-shirts, Polo shirts, Performance knits)
   • YES: Use Cut-Away stabilizer (2.5oz or 3.0oz). Physics: The stabilizer must hold the structure since the fabric cannot.
   • NO: Go to step 2.
2. Is the fabric unstable/loose weave? (Linen, thin cotton)
   • YES: Use Cut-Away or a fused No-Show Mesh.
   • NO: Go to step 3.
3. Is the fabric stable and tight? (Denim, Canvas, Twill caps)
   • YES: Use Tear-Away. Physics: The fabric supports itself; the stabilizer uses just for crispness.
4. Does it have texture/pile? (Towels, Fleece, Velvet)
   • ALWAYS: Add Water Soluble Topper (Solvy) on top. Visual: This prevents stitches from sinking and disappearing.

Troubleshooting: When Floriani Custom Shapes Don’t Save (or Don’t Behave)

The Upgrade Path: Turn Saved Shapes into Real Production Speed (Without Beating Up Your Hands)

Once you master Custom Shapes, your software time drops. You will start printing designs faster than you can stitch them. This is a good problem to have, but it exposes new bottlenecks.

• The Hooping Bottleneck: If you are fighting with screw-tightened hoops for every shirt, you are losing money. Professional shops switch to machine embroidery hooping station setups to guarantee perfect alignment without measuring every single time.
• The Hoop Burn Pain: Traditional outer rings friction-burn delicate fabrics. The industry solution is magnetic embroidery hoops. These use vertical magnetic force rather than horizontal friction, eliminating marks and saving your wrists from repetitive strain injury (RSI).
• The Capacity Ceiling: If your single-needle machine takes 45 minutes to stitch a 4-color design (due to thread changes), a multi-needle machine like a SEWTECH reduces that to 10 minutes.

Warning (Magnets): magnetic embroidery hoop systems use industrial-grade neodymium magnets. They are incredibly strong. Pinch Hazard: Keep fingers clear when snapping them together. Safety: Keep them away from pacemakers, credit cards, and hard drives.

Warning (Safety): When testing new designs, always keep hands away from the needle bar area. If a needle hits a hard part of a hoop (due to bad centering), it can shatter. Always do a "Trace" or "Contour Run" on the machine before hitting Start.

Setup Checklist (Ready to Stitch?)

• Design Check: Did I add tie-ins and tie-offs to the Custom Shape object?
• Machine Check: Is there a fresh needle installed? (Use 75/11 Ballpoint for knits, 75/11 Sharp for wovens).
• Hoop Check: Is the fabric "drum tight" (for traditional hoops) or securely clamped (for magnetic)?
• Speed Limit: For the first test run, reduce machine speed to 600 SPM (Stitches Per Minute).

The Safe Operating Rhythm: What to Watch While You Build and Reuse Shapes

Just because the shape is saved in the library doesn't mean it's invincible.

Listen to the "Thump": A happy machine makes a rhythmic, mechanical hum. A sharp "thump-thump-thump" usually means the needle is dull (punching rather than piercing) or the hoop is bouncing.

Watch the Bobbin: Turn your test stitch over. You should see the white bobbin thread taking up the middle 1/3 of the satin column.

• No white? Top tension is too loose.
• All white? Top tension is too tight.

Operation Checklist (The "Don't Waste Blanks" List)

• Test Run: Always stitch a Custom Shape on scrap fabric (similar to the final garment) first.
• Pathing: Watch the machine run. Does it jump across the design unnecessarily? (Edit start/stop points if so).
• Consumables: Do I have Spray Adhesive (like 505) if I'm doing appliqué?
• Measurement: Did I verify the final size fits inside the sewing field of my selected hoop?

By treating your Custom Shapes library as a professional asset class—and matching it with professional hooping tools—you move from "playing with software" to "running a production line," even if that line is just in your spare room.

FAQ

• Q: Where does Floriani Total Control U save Custom Shapes on Windows 10/11 when the Help file points to Program Files (x86)?
  A: Floriani Total Control U stores Custom Shapes in the hidden Windows folder C:ProgramDataFlorianiTCULibraryCustom Shapes, not in Program Files (x86).
  • Open Tools > Save Custom Shape, then click once in the address bar and manually type C:ProgramDataFlorianiTCULibraryCustom Shapes.
  • Avoid creating a new “Library” folder under Program Files (x86), because that can create a “ghost path” (saved in one place, read from another).
  • Success check: The Custom Shape appears in the library list immediately after saving.
  • If it still fails: Re-try the “backdoor method” from the Save dialog (do not rely on normal browsing, since ProgramData is hidden).
• Q: How do you access the hidden ProgramData folder from the Floriani Total Control U “Save Custom Shape” window?
  A: Use the address bar override inside the Floriani Total Control U save dialog to type ProgramData manually.
  • Click the C: drive in the left sidebar.
  • Click once in the top address bar so the breadcrumb turns into editable text.
  • Type ProgramData after C: and press Enter, then open Floriani > TCU > Library > Custom Shapes.
  • Success check: The folder opens and Floriani usually remembers (caches) the location next time.
  • If it still fails: Confirm the spelling is exactly ProgramData (one word) and start again from Tools > Save Custom Shape.
• Q: Why does a Floriani Total Control U Custom Shape save as a solid block instead of a usable outline?
  A: The most common cause is saving a filled object; Floriani Total Control U Custom Shapes should be outlines, so uncheck Fill before saving.
  • Open the object Properties and uncheck “Fill” so only a clean outline remains.
  • Re-save using Tools > Save Custom Shape into C:ProgramDataFlorianiTCULibraryCustom Shapes.
  • Success check: On screen, the shape looks like a thin, crisp line (not a solid colored area).
  • If it still fails: Zoom in and confirm the outline is closed (a gap can prevent later fill/satin behavior).
• Q: What run stitch length should be used in Floriani Total Control U when converting a Custom Shape outline to a run stitch?
  A: A safe, durable starting point in Floriani Total Control U is 2.5–3.0 mm for run stitches.
  • Set the run stitch length to 2.5 mm (as a proven “sweet spot”) when creating placement or travel lines.
  • Avoid going below 2.0 mm (may cut fibers and create holes) or above 4.0 mm (may get loose and snag).
  • Success check: The stitched line looks even and stable without visibly loose loops or fabric damage.
  • If it still fails: Test on scrap with the same fabric and stabilizer, then adjust stitch properties for that material.
• Q: How do you fix “bird nesting” when stitching a Floriani Total Control U design created from a Custom Shape?
  A: Bird nesting usually means the setup is too dense for the fabric or stabilization is wrong, so reduce stress by adjusting design compensation and using the correct stabilizer.
  • Increase Pull Compensation if the design is bunching and pulling in.
  • Match stabilizer to fabric: use Cut-Away for stretchy knits; use Tear-Away for stable fabrics; add Water Soluble Topper for towels/fleece/velvet.
  • Success check: The stitch-out lays flat and the underside does not show a tangled “nest” at the start or during fills.
  • If it still fails: Slow down for the first test run and stitch the same design on scrap fabric with the same stabilization stack.
• Q: How can you tell if embroidery top tension and bobbin balance are correct during a test stitch of a Floriani Total Control U Custom Shape?
  A: Flip the test stitch over and use the “middle third” rule: the bobbin thread should sit in the middle 1/3 of the satin column.
  • Stitch a small test on scrap fabric similar to the final garment.
  • Inspect the underside: no white showing often means top tension is too loose; all white showing often means top tension is too tight.
  • Success check: The bobbin thread appears as a consistent band in the middle third, not dominating either edge.
  • If it still fails: Recheck hooping stability and needle condition, then re-test at a reduced speed (about 600 SPM for the first run).
• Q: What safety steps should be followed before pressing Start when test-stitching a new design from Floriani Total Control U on an embroidery machine?
  A: Always run a machine “Trace/Contour Run” first and keep hands away from the needle area to prevent needle impact and shattering.
  • Run Trace/Contour Run to confirm the design stays inside the hoop sewing field and is centered correctly.
  • Keep fingers and tools clear of the needle bar area during operation, especially on first stitch-outs.
  • Reduce speed to a controlled test rate (about 600 SPM) for the first run.
  • Success check: The traced path clears the hoop hardware with no near-strikes, and the first stitches form cleanly without abnormal impact sounds.
  • If it still fails: Stop immediately, re-center the design/hoop, and re-run Trace before restarting.