I am also having problems with generations, it does not like windows 7 but it still produces good results in the end. I also have PE Design next, I would not call it affordable and I don't like it, I can't get used to it.
I am having a tough time with PE Design Next too. I thought it was just because I'm not experienced enough. A John Deer book says to zoom consistently, like 600% for good stitch placement, but I can't even figure out how to do that!
I thought generations was a suberb digitizing program albeit tough to learn. Embird is what Sue is using to learn to digitize. A lot of people use
embird affordable tons of info on the internet but not I think Generations can do more. Maybe I'm wrong on that.