This for the ones that are digitizing? What programs are you using? I have a Husqvarna Designer 1 usb so what would you recommend?Have to get my things before I retirer after that won't be able to

Want to thank all of you for your advise. We do a lot of reading and save my money........till I get what I want. Thanks a bunch. You girls are so much help for us newbies.........* for you all

Just keep it simple. Most people buy way more software than they really need. Be sure that as part of the price the dealer offers free classes. If not then buy a tutorial. It is easy to get frustrated when you begin. Figure out what you need it to do. Some things like lettering/fonts is always a must while things like photo stitch sound great but are generally a waste of rime because when you use it to digitize it does not look that good, it uses tons of colors and takes forever to stitch out. Embird, Masterworks Lite or another popular name brand would be good because you can find support groups online. Brand specific programs like Viking 3D Pro, Janome's Digitizer Pro etc. usually cost more money than non-brand specific ones and often do no more than programs like Embird. Also be sure the programs have a way for you to easily view and organize your designs in files. Some programs require an add on to do that with ease. Also, if you buy the software online be sure it is from a licensed dealer. If you buy it second hand you will get no support no matter how new the program is and some people offering great deals on software online are selling 'bootleg' or 'hacked' versions which are stolen copies. That is quite common. You can get in as much trouble for buying them as they can for selling them. If in doubt go the the mfr's site and email or call and ask them if the dealer is legitimate. I would look into downloading demo versions of the programs you are considering first. There are many many of them free online. You can usually use them for 30 days to see if you like them. Other mfr's will send you a disk for free as well (i.e. Masterworks II or Masterworks Lite). Be sure too the program will also run on Windows Vista... it will not be long even if you have XP that you may need to switch over. Good Luck! and remember...Have Fun!

I haven't had much time to play with it, but I will soon (hopefully). I have the Artista V4 Designer Plus Made by Bernina, and it is awesome. It is so easy to use, and the quality is wonderful. It isn't compatible with Mac computers, nor with Vista, and it is a little expensive. But... it is wonderful. Hope you find one that works for you. Have a nice day! *4Uall

Sorry I didn't have time to answer you properly before, so much happening here today and trying to finish Moonstar Font sets. I have an Elna Xquisite 2 machine and the software required for that is Xpressive 2, expensive at over $3,000AUD but being made by Pulse, reputedly the worlds leader in commercial embroidery software, it is incredibly comprehensive but also totally user UNFRIENDLY! I did manage to start digitising with it, after I read the whole 300 page User Guide, twice, which is useless unless you already know HOW to digitise!
I also obtained a 30 page training tutorial and joined an Elna user group (But that was more for the machine than the software), & I spent 4 months trying to master the simplest things which often stuffed up before I got the design half finished, so i would lose everything I'd already done and have to start over.

So I purchased Embird Complete Suite for $534 AUD. The result, as you can see by my Moonstar font, is fantastic to say the least.
I've only read about 60 pages of the 400 page Carolyn Keber tutorial I bought, haven't even looked at the other 30 CK tutorials I got for free or the help files or the Embird online manual. I did join an Embird user group and have learnt so much just from reading the posts there.
There is so much help and support, the program developers are 3rd or 4th generation embroiderers and easily contactable by email (unlike Pulse who don't want to know you) You can run Embird on two pc's (as long as they're your own and you only use one at a time). Pulse you have to transfer the licence form one to the other each time you need to use a different pc, plus you can only Install Pulse licence twice before you have to contact the company for another access code, Heaven forbid your pc crashes or you get a virus!!!

I know this is long winded but I'm trying to share my first six months learning experience with you, if you make the wrong choice, it is very costly not to mention frustrating to the point of totally discouraging you from progressing or even trying to digitise if the program is too convoluted.

I CAN and DO highly recommend Embird, for the reasons previously mentioned plus it is USER FRIENDLY and give lots of ways to perform tasks, so you can choose the way you like best, to obtain the end results.
You can Also download, a limited 100 uses or 30 days, free trial which becomes the full version as soon as you pay your registration. You can pay the registraion for each plug-in, separately, as you decide you want them and when you can afford each one. If you join SecretsOf Embroidery and pay your rego/purchase from them you earn Secrets dollars to spend there AND you can choose from a collection of designs for every purchase over $30. Needless to say I bought my Embird modules separately and got FIVE free design collections. You can also Join Carolyn Keber's club and She has all these mini tutorials you can either purchase or buy her Complete Tutorial and get all the mini's free PLUS every one she writes in the future.

If you're serious about digitising and you want a program that's easy to use, has lots of support and is not expensive, do yourself a favour and check out Embird before you buy anything?
There's Just one problem area at the moment and that is the developers haven't resolved All the issues running Embird on Vista, but it is Vista that is the problem, not Embird.
Enough for now, it's 1:45Am and I'm really tired now. hugs and hope this helps you make an informed decision, Meganne

I have a Designer I (1999, so not USB version). I started with HUS Pro, then VIP Pro, then 3D Pro. I am thinking of upgrading to 4D, but don't know if that works with XP. I like the software, are very use to it and for that reason don't want to change. It's a lot of money, but you get lots out of it.

1 comment

by clawton 20 Jun 2008

4D does work with XP as well as Vista.

I started with Embroidery Magic 2 and then upgraded to Fancyworks Studio. I love them both (still use the EM2 for monogramming, since it functions better than the one in Fancyworks), and the best part is that they are in the bottom edge price-wise. The reason for that with EM2 is because it comes with almost no documentation. You need to purchase a separate tutorial to really learn it, cut since the program itself costs less than $100, the additional cost of the tutorial isn't that bad. I highly recommend Aunty M and her tutorials. She even offers one-on-one help through a Yahoo group if you do purchase her tutorial. The only (big) problem with EM2 is that it is NOT compatable with Vista, and never will be updated to comply. So, don't buy it if you have a computer that runs on Vista; in that case, go for Fancyworks Studio.

5 comments

by cutiepie 20 Jun 2008

Oh, yeah, I almost forgot. DON'T bother with auto-digitizing. It isn't going to produce satisfactory designs, especially after you have gotten used to such great digitizing as we get here from Cute Embroidery.

by mpo14011 20 Jun 2008

I totally agree with cutiepie. DON'T bother with auto digitize.

by wilder 20 Jun 2008

I also agree. In the beginning it was fun but once it stitched out, it was not something I was proud of. I thought it was me but after listening to so many, I think it is the program.

by simplyrosie 20 Jun 2008

I had EM and HATED it... not only did it mess up each of my computers (I installed it and uninstalled it on 3 separate machines trying to figure out what was wrong), all of my designs I paid for when launched in EM were distorted! ON ALL 3 MACHINES. And one of them was my work computer not even in my house. I have never gotten my menu in IE back to the way it used to be before installing it… You get what you pay for, that's for sure... I don't know about Fancyworks, but I'd highly recommend that you take Meg's advice and lean towards Embird. Better quality even though it’s pricier.

by cutiepie 21 Jun 2008

Rosie, was that Embroidery Magic or Embroidery Magic 2? They are completely different programs, you know. Embroidery Magic (the original one) is *very* old technology, and would probably mess up a lot with a newer operating system.

I have Embird with Studio 4 & Stumato but haven't even begun to scratch the surface with it. I spend to much time with u guys on cute. *4

I use the Janome Digitizer Pro which I find very good and easy to use. But it is pricey. I was lucky enough to get mine second hand. It is also a complete digitizer, you don't have to get any extra modules. I have heard Embird is very good and affordable and you can get extra modules as you can afford them. Check "Digitizing" as Meganne suggested. There are quite a few available.Ricky

FYI: If you type the word "digitising" in the search box up top you will find heaps of previous posts on this topic. hugs, M

2 comments

by colonies1 20 Jun 2008

thanks............*4U

by mops 20 Jun 2008

Software is also a good tag.

I am not digitizing yet, but from what I have read, the majority vote out on the sites I look at seem to be embird with studio plug-in. I am certainly interested in getting it, as I have a Janome and the digitizer-pro sounds as if it is pretty heavy going. Embird seems to be the favourite for price, and simplicity with a top result, as well as all sorts of sites and forums for support and lessons on line. I guess the other good thing, is it is not limited to a particular brand of machine if you should ever change (or win the lottery and buy one of everything). Hope this helps. As I said, I have been looking about and have pretty much been swayed in that direction. Now, if only I could retire too..............

1 comment

by mops 20 Jun 2008

Most digitizing programs have the possibility to make a design in any format you want, I use PES and VIP for my machines and save them in both formats. Reformatting is useful for freebies, but that's of course not the same.

I use Husqvarna Vikings 3D Professional but am going to upgrade to 4D Professional - this set of programs are very easy to use. You can do everything from just simple resizing to digitising your own designs. I have tried others but always ended up back with the husqvarna progames. I originally started with their VIP and progressed as they released the new programs as they were more user and windows friendly. 4D will do anything you will ever want to do. Go to Husqvarna's site and have a read about it. And no I don't work for them just an end user.

1 comment

by colonies1 20 Jun 2008

I have 4D Extra and they said I could up grade so I will go and read on Professional. I am new at this all and trying to buy only once. I did get the 4D extra when I got the machine in December.........was think Professional at the time "But the money difference and if I didn't use it all.........you know what I mean there. Waste....Thank you for your thoughts they are helpful. *4U