Hi all - do any of you have any books or software that you could recommend for me? I want to learn how to digitize, and thought some of you may know of some good, useful, tools.

Since you have a Janome, will your dealer let you 'test-drive' the Digitizer Pro software in the store? Will s/he offer lessons on it? My dealer did both, that's why I got the program. I think the Janome program works very much like Microsoft Publisher, and it seemed pretty easy to learn. But then, I'm sort of a "program geek" I don't find any program that hard to use, once I try it a bit. And the Janome program gives you at least 25 'undo's' in the edit feature, so if you paint yourself into a corner, you can just 'undo' till you get back to where you were before you 'went astray', so to speak. I am green with envy over your commercial machine, by the way, hee hee hee. Best of luck! Marji

2 comments

by bcsurvivor 08 Mar 2008

My Janome is the MC11000, the Wilcom software is very costly. I have the manual, but like I said before - it's over 11,000 pages. I am able to edit the clipart in PhotoShop, but I want to learn when to use the E-Stich, Satin, Tatami, Split values, ZigZag and ect. I can get the basics done, but I want to blend colors, and use the appropriate stitches. So far, I usually zig when I should have zagged. I just thought someone might have some suggestioins on books perhaps with a CD to "follow along". I did check out Stitchitize.com, and it apperas they have a pretty good deal right now. I just would hate to pay the $160.00 and it only cover the very basics.
I too enjoy new software. I worked at the University here locally, until I got the bc thing, I worked in the Information Technology dept., I loved my job but had to put my health before anything else at the time. I'm not regretful! I love being able to spend time with my "toys".
You guys are great! I thank everyone so much for all the suggestions.
bcsurvivor (Sue)

by bcsurvivor 08 Mar 2008

Oh yeah, the dealer for my commercial machine is in Texas, and I'm in Florida. He passed through our town last weekend and offered to stop and show me some stuff, but the machine is running great, it's just the operator that's having the problem. I don't think he could help with that.
Sorry for the added comment - but I forgot in my original message.
:-(

I have the Masterworks program and also the set of instructions CDs on digitizing. It is wonderful. I had PE Design but it would not do everything I wanted. It was rather an expensive program but well worth it. Don't know if it works on all machines. My machine is just an Escante-but I love it. You will love digitizing. I digitize week nights and stitch weekends. :)

bcsurvivor, oh to learn to digitize - what a wonderful dream you have. Good luck - *4U

I don't know how to help you, for I am trying to learn my software, and am not really sure that it is user friendly! I have the 4D Professional, and am just starting to get into it.

What kind of machine do you have, Bcsurvivor? I have a Janome 300E, and bought the Janome Digitizer Pro package with it. I have had a very easy time learning it, and it does everything I ever wanted and more. But it was also very expensive. A lot of people use Embird, and I understand there are a lot of tutorials out there for that, but I think I remember there are a lot of 'pieces' to it, like add-ons, that can jack the price up. I'm sure others will have more comprehensive answers for you, hee hee hee. My Digitizer Pro is top of the line, used for professional digitizing, so it depends on what you want to get into. Just don't get anything that says it will 'automatically digitize' something for you--you'll never be happy with the results. The auto function (which I have on my software as well) is only as good as the input, and the computer is incapable of understanding the difference between flowers & leaves & such. You end up putting as much time into 'fixing' auto digitizing as you would have put in doing it yourself in the first place. I learned a lot from Trevor Conquergood at Stitchitize.com. Good Luck to you, digitizing is great fun. Marji

1 comment

by bcsurvivor 08 Mar 2008

I have a new 15 needle commercial machine, as well as a Janome MC11000. I am really a quilter, but am loving the embroidery. My husband bought the commercial machine for me because I had started doing a lot for my friends and family - I mentioned opening my own home based embroidery business and before I knew it - he had bought the machine for me. I love it! I'm using some of Embird, as well as Wilcom. I'm stumbling through it (trial by error) lots of errors. I have a 11,000 + page manual, but there has to be a better way! Any suggestions will be appreciated so much. Thank you for your comment, and all answers will be of great help.
Thank you,
bcsurvivor (Sue)

I hope you get some good answers as I would also like to learn how to digitize. Flower for you