I have 3D and a friend has 4D from Viking. They work great. You can save in any format. They do a LOT, some I haven't even learned about yet!
sewwhatpro is an amazing bit of tech that will crop and alter your designs with free fully working trial and its own goup in case you ned any help vidios and such on how to do things and a printable manuale
I use still the 3D from Husqvarne, now is the 4D. Does everything you can possibly need
I have a brother machine so I use PE design and I use Buzz-edit of Buzztools
what kind of machine do you have.? Does it have software with it for the computer? Your dealer should be able to price software for you. or you can buy software that will work with several machines.
I use my 4D Embroidery program, from Hus/Viking, it works real good. I really love it. Judy...