Ann The Gran Community

To all who digitize:

Some of us are looking for software to do our own digitizing.  Those programs are expensive to say the least!  If you have any information that might help us make a decision, please share it in a post.

What software do you use?  What do you like about it? 

What kind of problems, if any, have you experienced with it?

Thanks

Linda

Linda,

I for one never wanted to get into digitalizing, but..... I jumped in. I now use Buzz-2-Stitches. What sold me was that everthing is basically done automatically. Most importantly with this software is that you need a very good graphic, with nice clean lines. My son does vinyl graphics so he had a few nice graphics for me to work with as my first experience. It worked like a dream. You do have to expect to make a few tweeks, which was simple to do, especially if you adjust the design in size. I tried to duplicate a patch into a design by scanning it, but the program did not pick it up well and too much work was needed. I ended up getting it done from a digitalizer from one of the sites I use. I noticed that she used Embird. It came out beautiful.

The only draw back is in order to "tweek" you need to purchase a sizing program and editing program. With the Buzz-2-Stitches program they gave a free trial for Buzz-Edit, which I purchased and love. You can edit any design, from anywhere. With the Buzz- Edit, they give you a free trial for Buzz-Size, which I purchased and love too. It automatically adjusts density for you. Why don't they just combine it all into one software!! I guess they figure you don't feel like you are spending all that money at once, but I spent it eventually.

I am not sorry I bought any of it and use it quite often. I think it is a good software to get started with and work with quickly.

Nancy

Linda, Hello!

I just read your post.  I too am interested in what's out there (always!!!!).  I just posted a long post under "Masterworks 2", maybe you would be interested in my post and I am sure interested in hearing what you have learned! (It's a really long post so I don't want to have to re-type, sorry :(  Thanks, Lollie in Oregon 

I only do a little of this, but found free trials to be very helpful in choosing which product works the best for me.

Buzz and Designer's Gallery are a couple that I can think of with free trials.  I believe Buzz is the less expensive.  Embird has a free trial too, but I am not sure digitizing is included.

I use PE Design V6, it was a gift although I was leaning toward Buzz at the time. PE Design works very well, but for me, it is too time consuming......outlining, scanning, editing....the last thing I did was to digitize a bubble design* to coordinate with the print in a fabric I was using and it took me about 2 hours.....but then I am very much the novice.

When you and your friend find the right product, please post a review.  I, for one, love to learn all about the different programs.......just don't have time to try them all.

Best wishes, and good luck in your search. 

 * Picture of the digitized bubbles -

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd253/pattiann42/100_0676.jpg

Hello, I have tried several digitizing programs. One of the more affordable is Embroidery Magic 2, usually around $99, but if you like Ebay there are some people on there that will let you make an offer. Fancy Works is by the same company and runs around $329 it has a few more bells and whistles and both are pretty user friendly. PE Design 7 is ok but seems too fragmented.  Generations and DraWings X3 are both nice but like PE Design they are pricey.  I read about Buzz 2 Stitches and that really sounds great if it really does what it says it will do. I have the Buzz Xplore which is a place to store your designs and it will convert them from one format to another. 

Good luck digitizing, it is fun when you can create your own designs and sew them out!!!

Hello Again, I found these web addresses for those interested in checking out the trial digitizing programs before you buy. Use one at a time so that you get maximum benefit of the trials. You can only use them once and the programs recognize your computer's IP address.

http://www.amazingdesigns.com  check free downloads or free trials

http://www.embird.com  find free trial

http://www.buzztools.com/   click on Free Stuff and then choose which program you want to try

http://www.babylock.com/software/ choose trials for designer's gallery

http://www.babylock.com/downloads/instructions/?Update_ID=106   Palette software there are 2 selections the one on the left is PDF instructions, the one on the right is the program

This is a good variety of software out there.  Happy Embroidering and Digitizing!!! Always have fun : )  Carol aka alssweetheart

Thanks so much for the websites.  Now I'm going to be spending the next weeks (months)  trying out software.   Maybe by then I'll have enough saved up to actually buy another one.

Linda

ps  Love your cat.  Looks like it's wearing a toupee!

I'm interested in an editing program so I can edit existing pes files (i.e., delete portions of designs, select only part of design, etc.), but not sure which program would be best for that.  Right now, I'm not interested in digitizing, but may be in the future.  Can anyone help with suggestions?

Thanks - Debbie

Debbie, all the aforementioned sites have different software programs.  Some do it all and some do just a few things.  View the sites and read about the product.  Download demos and trials and see how they work.  Then decide which one will best suit your needs.

Thanks, I'll start doing some testing for what I'm interested in doing.

I own version 6 of PED, having said that, I rarely open it.  I use Embird for all my editing and have purchased the Font machine that is a plug in and does a beautiful job of fonts.

Embird also has an add on that is a digitizing program, not only is it very reasonable in price, but there is plenty of help available for using it. At least one or two yahoo groups.  It does not do an auto digitize however.  You can try the whole program free tho.

I have read several posts on digitizing software. I have used pe design and Embird and I find Embird to be the easiest. I started with Embird 2003 and gradually went up to 2008. First I only got the conversion software and later added digitizing and fonts. With Embird if you get font engine , you can convert any font to emb without buying fonts. A lot of people use the auto digitizing programs, but I usually have to change them in some way, so I rather just digitize mine as I want. I use a lot of Dakota collectables when I can, but they are rarely exactly as I want them. Embird has auto digitize and a vector art auto digitize.  Somewhere there was mention of perfect art. If you embroider very long, you will learn there is never perfect art. You have to learn to improvise.

I used PE design for about 8 years and have had Embird for about 7 years. I was in the Emb business for many years, but have been retired for about 10 years, so I mainly work with digitizing and Emb and sewing for my family and friends.

craftycat and bbsue-That was some great information!  I personally want someone who specifically used more than one software so that they really know what they are talking about.

For me, it is ease of use and quick learning.  That is impossible to compare because what I understand as easy may be a big headache for you or vice versa.  Sounds like Embird has an edge.  I hope we hear more from any side of the issue.

The information, nonetheless is great and I appreciate your input! 

Pat

Absolutly Pat!  I tend to talk up Embird because it's just been a life saver for me.  The editing program lets me see my designs as they look stitched and that's only the tip of the iceberg, and the price is excellent.

I will copy that Kraftycat. Embird's latest version also has a majic wand and if you have a good color picture, all you have to do is click the wand on each color and it will be in stitches. It is neat!

kraftycat and bbsue - This is why I chose to blog here at ATG, everyone is so helpful and knowledgeable. 

Other sites do have blogging and are just fine, and the people are nice, but there is something about ATG!

Pat

I have owned Digitize N Stitch by Amazing Designs and it is an automatic digitizing software very easy to use.  Only downfall is pictures with a lot of gradual shading don't work well.  You can edit with paint and then digitize.  They will also let you download Edit N Stitch free and it lets you edit previously digitized pics.  I have not regretted purchasing this program  I just would like to find an easy program to learn how to manually digitize complicated pics.  Embrid lets you download  but the tutorial is a total waste and has nothing showing how to get started. Good Luck.

Did you use the Trial first.  I could not get anything to work and the tutorial didn't even show how to start.  Have no idea why they let you download if you can't digitize with it.  Is it easy to use and is there an auto digitize on it and manual or just manual.  Thanks for any help you can give me.  My email address is:  mama2bunch@yahoo.com