Hi Cuties,

I purchased Generations Digitizing software years ago. I must confess that whenever I tried using it, I felt as if I were studying an engineering course. I don't know if I'm dense or what, but I find it extremely difficult. The several attempts I've made have left me very discouraged and frustrated. I have gone to my dealer to take intro lessens, but that only served to tease...They do offer full lessens which I am considering. I also have found that the vids on YouTube are somewhat helpful, but designed for those that have already used the program. I am not giving up - I know this is indeed a powerful program, and the sky's the limit once you conquer it! Good luck!

I have PE design. I have recently upgraded from 5-8. I have found the following useful. I dont know which country you are in as I know there are PE design lessons as I have been to some in Newport South Wales (UK). Sue Lough produces these tutorials so here is the link. If you have already got PE design it will be costly to buy further digitising softwear. The biggest thing about any digitising softwear is working on it (daily) to get to grips with it.
http://www.memories-in-thread.net...

2 comments

by asterixsew 24 Feb 2012

There is also some stuff on You tube

by bethelb 24 Feb 2012

these are excellant tutorials.

I think you won't find any digitizing software easy, you'll have to take time to practice and play with the different tools. Then you'll get to the stage you'll use the programme with confidence. I would not buy a second programme before I really got to know the first - not at the price you have to pay to get them.

Hi, I have PE Design Next, upgraded from ver.6 I also taught myself along with some very reasonable tutorials/videos for different embroidery techniques and love teaching others how to use the program. If you need any hep (or anyone else) send me a PM and we can talk about different ideas. I wouldn't give up, as Bev wrote, it is very expensive and once you get the basics, it is so much fun! I'm an American living in Germany and I learend the German PE Design, so if I can do it (since I don't feel I am so gifted with language!) you can do it!!!
Christie in Germany

3 comments

by csevera555 24 Feb 2012

What tutorials did you use? Your work is beautiful and FSL on top of that which I can't even comprehend. I enjoy working on the computer and even if I download a design I tend to want to create one on my own.

by csevera555 24 Feb 2012

Your lace designs are just gorgeous and I can't even comprehend how you could make them. I want to contribute here but I can't afford to buy all the lessons unless I was going to sell designs. Holly Pike has an apprentice program where she will buy your designs if you make them with Generations. I have a chance to buy the software for $700. Thought I would have the chance to possibly earn the money back. I am interested in Embroidery but I still am intimidated.

by csevera555 24 Feb 2012

your designs if you make them with Generations. I have a chance to buy the software for $700. Thought I would have the chance to possibly earn the money back. I am interested in Embroidery but I still am intimidated.

I have Pe- design and self taught before I even had an embroidery machine. I find the manual very easy and If you do one excercise daily. You will soon get to making your own designs and it will be so rewarding.
Look for the "Help" button in Layout and it replicates the manual, so it is easy to read while you "play" and find what you need e.g. move points?
Don't waste your P.E Design, It is very expensive.
Happy Digitizing!
From Bev

I have Generations and I also love it. I am also mainly self taught as I had this software before lessons were available. There are a few sites around that have lessons, one of them is Ayeone Embroidery,these are free. Lindee G also has a course of 8 lessons but you need to buy these.

Totally agree with Alice on getting lessons on Generations. I was already self taught on my bernina software and I won a full blown edition of generations software at an embr function I attended, but there was no where to take lessons & I didn't have time to watch tutorials and I got frustrated with trying to teach myself, so I just gave up & sold it on ebay....

I have generations and I love it. But I would not say it is easy and intuative, you really do need to spend some time learning it. I also have PE Design next but I don't use it. I am not sure if Generations is just better or if it is because I have not taken the time to learn how to use it. I did a digitisewise course to learn how to use Generations. I would strongly recomend that you get some tutorials on Generations if you get it.
Alice.

1 comment

by csevera555 24 Feb 2012

Thank you for your input. I watched Holly Pike do her classes online and of course it looks easy. I admire you starting your for own website. Your work is beautiful. It just seems like a lot of money to spend and then you have to buy lessons on top of that.