by tmjanecek 28 Dec 2007

Does anyone have opinions about different digitizing software. I really wanted to get the PE software (I have a Brother), but it is very expensive. What are other options, and which are the best?

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by freida 29 Dec 2007

Hi, tmjaneck, One thing to be careful of..make sure your software is compatible with your converter box. I found out the hard way. I bought a brother machine expecting my old converter box to work with it because both machines use the PES format. Was I ever wrong. The patterns work but I had no way to load large patterns since my old box handled 4x4 only. I purchased the PE 7 and PED. Now both work well with PES format. Do a little research it will pay off.

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by marjialexa Moderator 29 Dec 2007

I have a Janome 300E, and my DH bought me the Digitizer Pro software to go with it. It was very expensive, true, but it is complete, nothing else to buy. I can convert pes,hus,dst,any designs to jef, change colors, alter stitches, as well as do my own manual digitizing. And, the dealer offers support and lessons for the program. I never used anything else, so I don't know, but I think it was money well spent. The software is written for my machine, so it works on that machine quite well. If PE is written for Brother, maybe that's a good way to go. Can you 'test drive' it at your dealer? Will your dealer support it, and give you lessons? My dealer lessons are free, since I bought it there. And I can call with questions any time (and have, believe me). Hope this helps, Marji

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by boltonia51 28 Dec 2007

I have a Simplicity SE2 it is the same as Brother150.I have Embroidery Magic 2 software which has a great lettering component as well as some digitizing features. It is a manual punch program so you will set each stitch yourself. It is great fun and does produce a good design with practice.It can also be upgraded to the Fancyworks program(there are 3 levels of this program )All of these programs are products of Pantograms. They are quite reasonable too.Check out this site for more information: www.auntymdesigns.com and look into her software section.She has great tutorials available.

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cutiepie by cutiepie 28 Dec 2007

Oh, yeah! Aunty M is the best when it comes to EM2. Her tutorial is very step-by-step and comprehensive. Plus she has a Yahoo group where she will offer assistance to anyone who needs it (with a special list just for those who bought her tutorial!) The only "problem" with EM2 is that it isn't compatable with Vista (like anything is?) and so you would need to have XP or lower on your computer to use it. Fancyworks will (usually) work on Vista, so that is an option if that is what you have.

cutiepie by cutiepie 28 Dec 2007

*continued* The only "problem" with EM2 is that it isn't compatable with Vista (like anything is?) and so you would need to have XP or lower on your computer to use it. Fancyworks will (usually) work on Vista, so that is an option if that is what you have.

cutiepie by cutiepie 28 Dec 2007

have. Wow, we really don't get much space in these "comments", do we? =]

jrob by jrob 28 Dec 2007

Well, I hope no one is trying to "squash" the creative juices coming out of this site! haha I always love your comments cutiepie.

sanjoy51 by sanjoy51 28 Dec 2007

I too would like the PE Design and have been looking for other alternatives and it is hard to make the right decission all of these other programs have add-ons you buy later to build what PE Design has in one. I looked at Embird but it seems so hard to know what to do and I looked at Buzz Tools and you build with that as well. I don't know what to do either, but I will keep looking too.

sanjoy51 by sanjoy51 28 Dec 2007

know how to work it. I am lost with it. I looked at Buzz Tools but not sure what to do with any of them. The PE Design Lite might be the closest thing and then up grage to PE Design 7.

freida by freida 04 Jan 2008

If you have Vista, read anything you plan to add very carefully. A lot of the software companies have not released drivers to work with Vista yet. I bought PED7 before the drivers were available and had to move it to another computer in the house with XP. Drivers are available from the manufacturers site now. So I have moved and reinstalled it on Vista. Makes a long story short, read carefully and check the manufacturers site for upgrades.

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