Printer driver systems and methods for automatic generation of embroidery designs

An apparatus to convert image data to embroidery data, comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a memory coupled to the processor, the memory comprising instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to at least:
• convert image data representing an image to first vector data;
• convert the first vector data into component data structures that specify regions within the image;
• convert a first one of the component data structures into a fill shape including second vector data;
• convert a second one of the component data structures into a stroke shape including third vector data;
• and
• generate embroidery data structures using the fill shape and the stroke shape.

An article of manufacture comprising machine readable instructions stored on a computer readable medium which, when executed, cause a processor to at least:

• convert image data representing an image to first vector data;
• convert the first vector data into component data structures that specify regions within the image;
• convert a first one of the component data structures into a fill shape including second vector data;
• convert a second one of the component data structures into a stroke shape including third vector data;
• and
• generate embroidery data structures using the fill shape and the stroke shape.