John, What it does is change the column widths in areas where there is overlap and makes it fit better changing the stitching so that were there is overlap the stitches on the letters underneath become sparse and gap so the stitches on top look better etc. So, yes, the feature does do it better or more politically correct. With that said, try the method I suggest and see if it works for you. This is the method people have used for years when using keyboard lettering and has been fine until now. ;) Of course a good digitizer would slap me up side the head for saying that! <grin> Jeff Banks Melco Embroidery Systems ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Yaglenski" <john@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: <amayausers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Thursday, March 31, 2005 2:41 PM Subject: [amayausers] Re: Design Shop 2005 > Thanks for the instructions... It was my understanding that the shaddow > button takes out unnecessary stitches where the letter and the shaddow > intersect right? That was the one advantage rather than doing it by hand. > > John > >