Ann The Gran Community

I have a need to update my software for Husqvarna Viking Designer 1.  The software I have is from 10 years ago (roughly) Customizing and Digitizing 5.0 and Buzz Tools to convert designs.  I have been out of the embroidery loop SO LONG that I find that I seriously need help figuring out all these new fangled programs that have come on the scene.  If anyone would be willing to update me on these I would GREATLY appreciate it.  I am not opposed to getting a non-Viking software program if there is one that will work with my D1 - I still have the one with the floppy in the side - not the USB.  I have mostly used the Customizing, but like to be able to change things sometimes, so I'm not really sure what I need. If I have not given you enough information to figure it out - it is because I don't know the information to give you.  Please feel free to ask me questions in order to best determine what I would need.  Thank you SO, SO much for your help!

Angie C

Hi Angie

I know Husqvarna, Pfaff (same program) Brother & Bernina own Designer 1, Pfaff CV & Brother 1500D believe the best program for Designer 1 is 4D Extra this will let you do everything in basic & easy to use plus convert to SHV. If you want to digitize Bernina is the best but you will need to hang on to your old program to make converting easier 4D is a HUGE improvement on Customizing 5 & Buzz Tools & works well with your machine.

Cheers Helen

I have exactly the same problem!!!  I want to buy designs and use them, but I can't transfer them from my computer (using Microsoft XP) to my reader/writer, and programmable card.  Do I need to buy another computer and load in the old Microsoft 96?  I don't want to spend a fortune buying new software when what I have used to do everything I needed it to do.  This is the downside of owning a computerized sewing machine.  Please, if there is anyone in cyberland that has an answer, I'd greatly apreciate it!!!

Jo Ann 

Do you know how much that would cost to purchase?  I talked a little with the Viking Dealer here in town, but I've been burned by one I went to before I moved here.  He said the amount would be approximately $700 or $800...does that sound right to you?

 Also, I was wondering, I don't really care to do extremely hard digitizing, but what simple digitizing I've tried with the 5.0 was VERY HARD.  Is there anything that would let me take a basic outline or some lettering and digitize that?  Would the software you suggested work for that?

Thanks for your help - I really appreciate it. :)

Angie

I have a Designer 1 and converted to USB.

I purchased Embird and it is very easy to learn.  You can purchase it individual modules.    Embird basic then later add the Studio if you wish to  create your own designs.  Then other parts.   The program is user friendly and so many are familiar with it so you can get a lot of help online.  Carolyn Keber has great tutorials.  There are also great tutorials from the Embird site itself.

Jutka

Hi Jo Ann, I too own the old viking software. I also have XP and have not had a problem with loading designs to my programable cards. What machine do you own?  I own the Viking #1 plus and the Designer 1. I also have the 4Dembroidery studio and 4D stitch editor. The Viking software is expensive, but I feel it is well worth the cost.. Maybe if you told me what you were trying to do, I could help you. If you have AOL instant messenger, we could get on together and I know I could guide you. You wouldn't be the first that I have done this with.  Just let me know....

Marlene

Hi Angie,  From what I hear from others, the Embird is a good program. I haven't tried it, but I may just to see what it can do. I really prefer Viking's 4D Emb. Studio and stitch editor. The two programs would run around $700.00, but a lot of dealers do offer a 15% discount every few months.

You can download the Embird for a free 30 day trial to see if that is the program you want. It is a lot less than the Viking 4D.  I think you should give the Embird a try.

Marlene

I have a designer 1 and had the floppy changed to usb.  I initially bought the basic 3D software, but all of the additions were so

 expensive I did some research to see what else was out there. They are now into 4D and more costly items.

I settled on Embird and am very happy with it. The price is very reasonable and also has additions. I have purchased several. They have just updated their software. Small upgrades have been free up until now.  This upgrade was a whopping $15. All of the additional modules for the upgraded product have no additional charge. I buy mine from secretsof.com. Their prices are discounted from the Embird page and there is also a free club with free monthly tutorials.

Hope this info helps

Mary

Ok, a couple questions:

1.  How do you switch to a USB port?

2.  For Embird, I'm very confused by what I need to purchase and what each will do.  I downloaded the descriptions from the Embird site for each section (basic, font, digitizing) and read them.  Then, when I was looking at the secretsof.com site it said that if I order the 2008 I don't need all the individual modules...I'm confused.

3.  Why is secretsof.com less expensive than the Embird site?  Do you not have access to the Embird tutorials or something vital?  Does it keep you from being able to do anything?  If I download the 30 days free, can I not get it from the secretsof.com site?

4.  LASTLY, about the 5.0 Viking software - when I try to view my designs in 3D, it blanks out almost the whole view and I can never see but maybe a small part of the "sew-out" in 3D.  Does anyone know why it does this?  I have tried reinstalling and uninstalling and moving to other computers - nothing ever works.  I even tried downloading a patch they had in the past and it doesn't work either. :(

Thanks for all your suggestions and helps!  I appreciate it more than you know!

Angie

Hi, On your last question, I had a simular problen with mine and I went to this site,  software@husqvarnaviking.com. They helped me and now mine is fine  Good luck

Sorry to jump in, but I too have an older Designer I with floppy disk.  How do I convert to USB?  I am getting back into sewing after my girls have expressed an interest in vintage clothing. 

Thanks!

Beth

Beth  Depending on the quality of your machine, (the age the hours of wear ) put on it you have to weight the cost of updating.

It is 600 dollars to go to USB.  They will put a new pc board in machine and the USB port.  You would have to go to an authorized dealer in your area to do it.

I love mine but my machine had very little time on it.   I run a small alteration shop and kept my good machine for fun but used 6 other machines to do my work.  The D1 is my baby just for me.      Unfortunately I don't have a lot of free time to use it.  I have invested in the Embird program and I love it.   I have actually only used machine for embroidery and not for sewing but close friend uses hers continually for everything and she has raved about it for at least 5 years or more.  She does some fantastic embroideries on her machine.  She says she would love to have another one in the near future.

Jutka

It's easy you just take your machine to your local dealer. the floppy disc drive is replaced with a USB drive it is expensive so look into it first. Your memery stick that is supplied with the upgrade holds 12 times more than your floppy could but still need to be in SHV format and needs a little more time to read because it holds more.

Cheers Helen

You may want to think twice about converting your D1 to USB. Now that the Designer Diamond is available, I have heard that all D1"s are discontinued. I hope this is just a rumor. I would rather they keep the D1 rather than the Designer SE. I know they have had big problems with the Designer SE. The new Designer Diamond sells for $9,000.00, Give it some time and Viking will throw in a lot of extras to lure us in. I have seen it done with all the embroidery machines. The Diamond looks good, but I still love my D1. I am faithful to cleaning after all embroidery and I think that is the secret of keeping it running without any problems. I use dental floss to clean the tension disc.

Marlene

I am trying to use my Rose & card reader/writer on Windows XP.  I am able to download the installation onto computer, but unable to download designs to reader/writer card.  I get error message "No LPT port available".   

Have you figured out a solution?  I would hate to have to purchase a whole new embroidery system!!!

Shelley

I also have a Designer 1.  A couple of years ago I did go with the 3D Professional which I love.  I did have a hard time getting the updates so I went into the dealer and she went online to the company to tell them what was happening.  Well I did get information on how to go through the upgrades more and more and I have really learned a lot!  As far as going with the installation of a USB I don't want to.  The reason why is I don't want to have to lug my laptop with me.  I do have tons of the 3 1/2" floppy disks.  I have bought several off of Ebay and I have checked the local college to see what they had in cold storage and got lucky.  As long as you are happy with what you have STAY WITH IT!  I AM

Please let me know where you can get the Diamond Husqvarna Viking for $9000.  I was quoted a price yesterday of $11,000 something.  And no, I do not trust this dealer.

Lu

Hi Lu, Did the dealer quote you a price of the machine and software?  $9,000.00 is the set price of Husqvarna Viking. The Prof. software runs around $2,000.00 so that would be correct. You really don't need the prof. software, the 4D Embroidery Extra is great. I know that the dealers in Maryland are offering the largest hoop as an incentive to purchase the machine. I believe that hoop runs close to $200.00. If you don't need to purchase now I would wait a few months and I bet they will offer a lot more. If you were dealing with an independent Viking dealer, they can really knock down the price of the machine, if they want to make a sale. If your dealer is inside the JoAnn stores, then they can only do what they are told. Like I said, if you can wait it out, I am sure you will get a good deal. Sometimes they will include the software to make the sale...  Hope this helps.

Marlene

I also have a D-1.  I love it.  I have the Viking 4-D Extra software.  It is around $700.  I use a floppy disk and find no problems.  My dealer said there is no reason to go to USB.  Sometimes the dealers have a 10 to 20% discount on all software, books, designs etc.   Good luck. 

 I just traded my SE for the Viking Diamond.  Except for the large, large hoop it seems to be the same as the SE.  Kind of wished I had saved my $$ but maybe it will be more fun than I am anticipating.

Hi Everyone,

I have had my D1 since 2002, had it converted to the USB no problems and it just keeps chugging along.  Last year I bought the SE and love it as well.  my only complaint about it is that at speed it vibrates more than the D1.  I use the 4D software but also have a copy of 3D with the upgrades that I got with my D1 including the Dongle- if anyone is interested in the 3D contact me off list... 

I would like to try a diamond but I love the machines I have and cannot justify spending more.  ( I probably shouldn't have gotten the SE)  I was making my daughters wedding dress and I needed a machine to embroider while I was sewing...worked great and I still use both at times.  it is nice to be able to embroider 2 items at once when you have a lot to do for the holidays!