What digitizing program do you use? pros & cons? Have you used others? I have picked up older versions of some on craigs list, etc and trying to figure out which I like - I have fancyworks studio, VIP Professional, and Pfaff Creative. I like Fancyworks, but I'm not sure the quality of the digitizing is as good. But I like the ability to edit each stitch. Please share your experiences with your program - I'd like to get one that does a professional job. Thanks so much!!!

Just won a HV 5D Embroidery Extra on Ebay.Brand new in box. for a very small fraction of the store price.Has the dongle included.??Should I sell it or use it?have a Babylock and do not plan to digitize just wanted something to allow me to get organized and see my designs but I think this program will be beyond me.Can someone give me Pros VS Cons on this?

2 comments

by asterixsew 10 Jan 2011

I think it would be worth posting this by itself where more will see it so you will get more answers

by nahs220 26 Jan 2011

I'm looking to buy something 5D on ebay also, would be interested in the info!

I did not realize this post was a year old!!!

1 comment

by basketkase 30 Dec 2010

LOL, neither did I, but was sure nice visiting with you!!!!!!!!!!

I have 4D (HV) but like one of the other comments, my dealer also went out of business, so not much support after purchasing it. I did go to a Floriani software presentation, and there were several unique positives that made me wish I could afford it. One of the best things was lifetime FREE updates and NO need for a dongle to keep track of or break. I think they are going to come up with some on-line training videos also. If you want to do more research ... and I STRONGLY ADVISE YOU DO .. you can read more at http://www.florianisoftware.com/
I also think you MUST either have some type of on-line videos to watch (over and over), OR local support from some one who KNOWS THEIR STUFF!!

I use Janome Digitizer Pro/MB. I find it very user friendly. I have taught myself to digitise, using general tips and the book of instructions that came with it.
But it is not cheap. Around $AUD 2,000.

I use Generations, I have never used anything else so I can't make any comparisons. it cost around $2000 AUD and I purchased a digitizing course with it which was 2 or 3 hundred I can't remember. I would not have been able to do a thing with the software if I had not done the course. the manual is next to useless. I am very computer savvy but that does not help in the least if you don't know how to digitize. This is what the course taught me. Here is the link to the Australian college of computer embroidery. The have online courses.

Dear Wackypup, I only use Embird, and I just love it. I hope this helps. Hugs, Yoriko

I am an embird girlie lol..
I also have brothers pe7.. just cannot get on with it
But this may be because I have got used to Embird.
Have fun Big hugs from London
Maria xx

I use Bernina 6 Editor Plus. I have the Bernina series 8 830 machine and of course everything with Bernina is proprietary, so I use the bernina software. It has the corel draw built into the software and after a year, I still can't figure it out. Nothing seems to work like the instructions imply, so I just design right in the embroidery software. Because I am self taught I know I am not using at least 75% of its capabilities, but am happy with what I am doing for now...when I have more time, I will explore more features.......I do like the fact that I can convert most formats except jef and it has a wonderful portfolio for storing & organizing designs.

2 comments

by katydid 30 Dec 2010

I have same software as you but I have the Bernina 730. I am afraid I didn't have $12,000. for it. I never did get all the classes for the ver 5 and they no longer teach them so I had to upgrade to Ver 6 to be able to take the classes. I don't like the on line manual. They loose me in the classes after 30 min. last class that i attended the lady next to me had just bought your machine and software and had never had any previous machines or software. I felt sorry for her and spent all my time trying to help her. I never did get the Applique or quilts classes or all the digitizing classes. The software has so many capabilities beyond me. If I just had some one to sit down one on one , i could get it so much easier. Some of you whiz bangers should teach in your home and we would love you!!!! Kay

by basketkase 30 Dec 2010

I traded in my 440 QE on it and they gave me a heck of a deal, plus I got 3 years in interest from Bernina credit, so am making "car payments" on it...LOL. I so wished we all lived closer so we could get together and brainstorm and learn from one another....that would be so cool! I feel the same as you, Kay, about the on line help. First of all you need to know what the heck the proper wording is for what you are looking for, otherwise forget it, then if you do find it there is so much gobbly gook, see this and see that...look here, look there referring one all over the place that I forget what I wanted to do in the first place..........

I think the answer is whoever has the most comprehensive lessons available. To learn to digitize, you either have to be able to figure it out or take lots of classes. Most people have a hard time figuring it out on their own, unless they are computer whizes. I would hesitate to buy any software unless there were meaningful classes offered. Lots of this software costs upward of $2000. With that sort of cost, there better be LOTS of support available, and I'm not really finding that with some of these software packages. They want to get your money, then they don't offer much support so you can learn it.

4 comments

by basketkase 30 Dec 2010

Well said, Joann!!

by sewdeb 30 Dec 2010

So very true! My dealer sees lessons as a selling opportunity.
I've yet to actually learn anything from him about digitizing.

by basketkase 30 Dec 2010

My dealer went out of business 10 days after I spent this massive amount of money on this machine & software (they had been in business for over 25 yrs) and now my closest dealer is over 2 hours away so not much in support here!!! You just never know........

by joann13100 30 Dec 2010

That's been my experience as well. The dealer gives you a 3 hour class and you are on your own after that. I can't absorb it all in 3 hours, even though I'm a slightly above average computer user. A lot of the programs are designed similar to Adobe Illustrator, a sophisticated graphics program, that is hard to learn.

I used the Richpeace digitizer, Its stitch is perfect.

I have Janome Digitizer MB for my machine.

1 comment

by greysewist 30 Dec 2010

I'm with you. Used Janome Digitizer 2000 originally, then 10k, now recently upgraded to MB. It does lots more than I know how to do(-yet!). There are lots of great new features on MB that I'm looking forward to using -such as stippling around designs. I have basic Embird but find that harder to grasp as I started with J software first.

I am using artista V6. Our Bernina dealer offers monthly classes and I am learning a ton. It is addicting.

I've used VIP Pro, now got 3D Pro and Embird. Love the last: it's comparitavely cheap, customer friendly, easier to get nice lines and curves, gives you more control on starting points for fillings etc, has a nice control panel that enables you to change parameters and the designs stitch out even more beautiful than the ones made in 3D.

2 comments

by sewdeb 30 Dec 2010

Mops, you're a great advertisement for embird, having seen your freebies and projects here on Cute....they're beautiful!

by joann13100 30 Dec 2010

There are lots of tutorials for Embird as well, so you can learn to use it.

I have PE design but am a amateur at using it. I dont have the time to sit and really get to grips with it.

If you go to the tags at the left side of this page you will find the words digitizing and software, these are links to previous posts on this topic.
You should also type in the word "digitising" (English/Aussie spelling) in the search box to find even more posts.
I am sure you will find the answers you seek if you do this.
Hugs n roses, Meganne

4 comments

by meganne 20 Dec 2009

PS also try the word Embird and check out the suggested "associated Subjects" links that will appear at the top of the posts page that it brings up. HNR, M

by wackypup 20 Dec 2009

ok. Thanks. I did look through quite a few, but was trying to see if someone had used more than one kind of digitizing and had a preference. I guess I'll keep reading LOL . . .

by meganne 20 Dec 2009

I have 5 different programs and only ever use Embird
HNR, M

by meganne 20 Dec 2009

Sorry, have been pressed for time and shouldn't be sneaking into Cute. LOLOL!!!