maggieszafranski wrote:
Good morning! Okay, I'll bite, but remember everyone has an opinion. This is just mine, and I'm a bit long winded.

Okay, here goes -- nearly ALL home embroidery softwares are great. How's that? Hmmm...not what you thought I'd say, huh?

Here's the rub on digitizing softwares or any software for that matter. It doesn't matter how good the software is if you don't know how to use it. I know that sounds a little harsh, but it's true.

My recommendation for digitizing software is the same as someone recommending a sewing machine or any other purchase that is going to cost you a chunk of your hard-earned dollar. Find a place that really "knows" the software and where you can learn it inside and out. Let me warn you however, that this is not an easy task.

When I first started out learning about embroidery and the various softwares, I purchased the software that was recommended and pushed by the sewing machine manufacturer that I purchased and the salesman said that classes were 'free' to learn it! Well, there was a person at the store that 'taught' the software, but after two months of experimenting, I knew more about the software than the teacher. The class was merely a get to know your software primer not an in-depth education that I was seeking. In defense of the store, apparently this is all most folks want.

The software was good and it did lots of things that was totally cool, but when I decided to start an embroidery business and purchase commercial embroidery machines, guess what? I learned that that particular software was severly lacking in control and that the education that I needed was nonexistent.

So what is control? Control is what I want when I want it in the manner that I choose. Most (not all) home embroidery digitizing software companies assume that you or I will not want to make every decision when you want to stitch out a design. So in an effort to help you (me), they make the decision for you. Things such as jump stitches and where they will be or where the connecting threads will be in letters or what the push/pull compensation will be, what type of underlay will there be.

Have I bored you to tears yet? Well 90 percent of the software companies out there believe you don't want to make all these decisions and that you don't want to know/learn all of the nuances of what a stitch does to a particular fabric. And they are probably right because most folks want to stitch out a simple name or a design on an item now. Time is precious to all of us and if you don't have time to learn everything, these softwares do a great job.

Recommendations/Things to think about:

Never buy a digitizing software that you can't try. If a temporary download is not available, find someone in your area that has the software or a store and go in and sit down with a person and watch/learn about it. Go to various sites and ask lots of questions.

What is your goal for the software? Do you want the software to do lettering mostly, make minor changes in a design, or are you wanting to create your own designs? Are you like me and want to have control of everything or are you happier allowing the software to help you? Both decisions are perfectly acceptable. Know yourself and what you want to do.

Once you know your goal, ask around, find yahoo groups, and study as much as you are willing. Learn more about the various softwares available and what they can/can't do.

If you want to digitize from scratch, sign up for classes. There are some great online classes available that teach excellent digitizing basics that are non-software specific. Even if you don't plan on digitizing from scratch, it is helpful to know what happens to fabric when you embroider on it. For example, you would think denim would be an easy fabric to stitch on because it's a firm, stable fabric. It can be downright tough to stitch on depending on how many stitches you are attempting to stitch on denim because most denim fabrics are very tightly woven (many threads to the inch). Now try to stick a whole bunch more thread in an area that already has a large amount of thread and well -- it won't fit that well.

Poll Question: How many people would be interested in a free mini-workshop on digitizing basics? If enough folks are interested and you are willing to do some homework, I'll prepare some tutes.

JoJo

Bobbi, I have Janome machines, and I have Janome's Digitizer Pro. It is not exactly user friendly, and the accompaning manual leaves much to be desired (as do most Janome manuals!). I go monthly to a digitizing club at my LQS where we are trying to learn together how to use the software. I am getting better, but I know I am not using it to its best advantage.

Maggie in E. Central Illinois.....maybe JoJo will speak up and give us her opinion

What is the best software package out there? My machine is a BabyLock so I picked up Designer's Gallery StudioPlus, Colorworks and SizeWorks. It just does not seem to work well or it could be the user does not understand how to use the software. Normally I have no problem with programs. Recently I picked up an Anita Goodesign Falling Leaves CD but can't do anything with it on my computer through the Designer's Gallery software. So please, help this poor person. Bobbi