I am interested in learning to digitize. I think this will be a good way to use my fine arts degree. Any suggestions on where I should start? Forums to join? Any info will be appreciated.

Hi,Celticlady, how's the digitizing coming? I'm in the middle of nowhere too, best place to learn. Nobody around when you try out all those new vocabulary words. I just gotta remember it's not Star Trek, when I yell, "No, no, no! Stop, stop it!" at the sewing machine or the computer, they never seem to hear me, lol. Best of luck to you, keep us posted. Digitizing can be soooo creative, although frustrating at times, but worth it.

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by celticlady1031 14 Jan 2008

Digitizing? Coming? Im frustrated just trying to figure out what software to use. I just keep plodding along. One of these days I'll find one I like and when I do.... Look out people.... I'll be asking for testers all over the place.

Hi, CelticLady, I found a free trial on Brother site for digitizing software PE7. Good way to see if it something you would like. http://www.brother-usa.com/HomeSe... Happy Sewing!

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by celticlady1031 14 Jan 2008

Thanks for the additional info. Another one for me to check into. One thing I have found out... Every digitizer likes something different. I wish they all had a free trial to see what I liked best.

I agree EM2 is the place to start, it is inexpensive and works very much like the more expensive brands. It'll give you an idea if you are going to like it before you spend a lot. There are several yahoo groups that offer free tutorials for the different kinds of software, too. Pfaff has some good software too. It is very user friendly. I started with their cross stitch, and then went to manual punch. AnnTheGran has software with a free trial. Good luck!

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by celticlady1031 05 Jan 2008

Another one for EM2. I go to AnnTheGran often so I'll have to check it out. Thanks for the info. And I've even figured out how to send these little flower things. I'm now a wealth of trivial info. thanks everyone.

by freida 05 Jan 2008

Embird (not sure of their web address) offers a free trial on most of their softwre. I used their basic that comes with the Ultimate box and loved.

I'll second Cutiepie's recommendation of EmbroideryMagic2, along with AuntyM's tutorial & yahoo groups. I received EM2 free with my machine, and was lost at first, as it didn't come with much documentation. But after getting AuntyM's tutorial,and getting a grasp on how the software works, I absolutely LOVE the program now! Her yahoo groups contain lots of great info & the members are very helpful & knowledgeable. Since then, I have had opportunity to briefly try out a few other popular digitizing programs, but I like EM2 the best!

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by celticlady1031 05 Jan 2008

Okay.... It's unanimous. EM2 it is. I have all the info saved so when I go hunting I don't get completely lost or off tract. Thanks everyone.

Hi, Celticlady, I couldn't agree with Cutiepie more, learn manual punch. I also have art training, and I find digitizing really challenging and fun. It's painting with thread & can be as detailed as you care to make it. If you don't know the site, go to BFC-Creations (not sure of the exact address) and see what artists can do. When I got my program, my dealer recommended a video by Trevor Conquergood on digitizing basics that was very helpful. There are quirks to digitizing, like push-pull compensation, and plotting the path of the design that are really important. Ask me how I know, hee hee. The first design I tried, the machine told me it would take 4 hours, the registration was off, and there were more jumps than a hurdles race. So then I watched Trevor's video, lol. That program Cutiepie recommends sounds good, and a lot cheaper than my Janome Digitizer Pro, and good support too. I don't know about forums, I have dealer support a few miles away, that's a godsend. Best of luck, keep us posted!

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by celticlady1031 05 Jan 2008

Trevor is who I was talking about from Stitchitize. I can't help but laugh at your discription. If this is anything like the first pot I threw my hubby will be staying out of town for a while. Should be interesting, cause a few more gray hairs and a new vocabulary.

First, I recommend that you learn manual punch digitizing (as opposed to auto-punch, which isn't all it's cracked up to be). You could purchase a program that costs anywhere from $150 to over $10,000, depending on what you want to be able to do with it and whether you want a "home" version or a "pro" version. Starting small, I would recommend the Embroidery Magic 2 or the FancyWorks Studio by Pantograms. You can get EM2 and a very good tutorial to go with it for around $160 (a good deal) if you go to http://www.auntymdesigns.com. She also has a Yahoo Groups email group where she ("Aunty M") will help anyone who has questions about the program. She also offers the FancyWorks Studio software for around $400 (I think). Here is what she has said about the FancyWorks Studio:

"I am not sure what features you need from embroidery software, but here are some of the features found in Fancyworks Studio.

"It comes with 10 fonts that allow you type a name or phrase, set the density and height of the letters (along with other features like arc, bridge, spacing, etc.).

"More fonts can be added with Type Library, vol. 1 or 2, Monogram SP, and from other sources.

"It opens and saves in home formats, including pes.

"It allows you to delete colors, combine sections into one color, delete stitches, sort colors, filter tiny stitches, add lettering to a design.

"You can import graphics to digitize your own logos and designs. It is not automatic digitizing software. Instead, you use manual punch techniques to create designs. It takes some patience to learn how to use the manual punch features, but the results are worth it. The digitizing feature includes some auto shapes like star, triangle, octagon, etc.

"You can use the running stitch feature to create triple stitch redwork designs or quilt stitches.

"There is an automatic appliqué feature that lets you do all three portions of an appliqué design at one time.

"There are other features too. This is just a sample of some of the features found in Fancyworks Studio."

She likewise has a Yahoo Group for the FancyWorks Studio. I really like Aunty M, so that is why I am "promoting" her. I like these programs (I own both) because they allow you to digitize in DST format, which is a commercial format that is also considered pretty much a "universal" format since so many machines will accept it (even if nobody has told you so). And then converting to other formats, if you want/need to, is easily done with a program like the Wilcom TrueSizer (a free program you can find with a search engine). I hope that you find the information/programs that will work best for you, and good luck with your future plans!

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by sanjoy51 04 Jan 2008

Thanks Cutiepie, I think I will try this as well, as I have been wanting to know the same thing myself and I have the TrueSizer free programs. You have been a big help to everyone that is interested in digitizing. I will give it a go. Thanks

by celticlady1031 05 Jan 2008

Thanks cutiepie. Sorry it too me so long to get back but I was gone all day yesterday. Now that I know what EM2 is it will make it a lot easier to find. You've also supplied me with a lot of additional info. I've heard a lot of complaints about auto digitizing so I already know manual is the best way to go. Thanks so much.

I would suggest that you speak to your local dealer, celticlady, and see if they have classes for digitising, or find a dealer who does. Ask them as many questions as you can think of. As for recommending forums, there are so many, the best idea would be to surf the net and see what you come up with - pick the best and throw away the rest. I haven't done any digitising, but it would make sense to me to try and find help from people who use, or are familiar with, the software you will be using. Hope this has helped and all the best with the digitising. I’m sure we would all be interested in seeing your designs on the project page.

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by celticlady1031 05 Jan 2008

ruthie that is a great idea if I still lived in Calif. but not practical up here in Canada. The closest place is 3 hours away.

by celticlady1031 05 Jan 2008

Sorry.. clicked when I shouldn't have. Stitchitize is where I would go but it's way too far, especially in winter. As for the dealer my machine came from, he only pushes his stuff but not necessarily the one of the better ones. And the only classes they have are for embroidery only, not to mention that they are 4 1/2 hours away.