The only embroidery machines I've had have been Janome but I am intrigued about other makes and their software which is often referred to here.

I have a Brother Project Runway model. Very inexpensive. It does require a card that I load my designs on and then place the card in my machine. I did not realize this when I purchased the machine. The extra card reader ran an additional $100. I would be lost without it.

HI Sue, I too think its an age thing, I believe that almost all new machines will use usb, I have a brother pr600 which is linked direct to my computer via a usb lead, so to embroider just copy paste your chosen design to the folder for your machine, my machine can then rotate, mirror and add text (inbuilt from my machine) on my chosen design, not sure what else it can do as to be honest I've never tried lol,
I use Embird where I edit all my designs I then keep a copy of them and copy to machine for use xx
my first machine ( I still have) a brother pe150 I have to use a usb device which uses a brother memory card, the card then can be inserted into the machine for use. Brother used to sell designs on these cards perhaps between 10 and 15 designs on a card and they could cost up to £60 each new, don't think people would pay that today
big hugs - Maria

1 comment

by spendlove 03 May 2014

Thanks Maria. Younger machines seem to be cleverer than old ones - just like people!

Hi,

I have a 14 year old Brother 2100 Galaxie, and you do need special software and an ultimate or magic box to transfer any designs from your computer to the cards that the machine use. These are special cards only used by the Brother 2100 Galaxie, and do not fit any "normal" card reader.

The software is supplied with the box. You can only use the software with the box, and you can only use the box with the software.

Without the ultimate or magic box, you can only use special Brother cards bought with designs already on the card, or the build-in designs the machine have to do embroidery.

You do not need any special software to use it as a normal sewing machine.

My Elna 8600 used to need the ultimate or magic box and software, too. But fortunately they later supplied a special card that can use a normal SD card and a normal card reader. So you don't need special software and special "card readers" (ultimate or magic box) to use your Elna 8600 machine as an embroidery machine. You load your designs on a SD card using a normal card reader, then fit the SD card into the special card, which you then slot into your machine to embroider these designs. This was a very big relieve!

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by spendlove 03 May 2014

Thank you - more evidence that it is an "age thing"!

Hi Sue,
I've just updated from a ten year old Brother, to a brand new top of the line Brother and there are some nice changes. I use a Mac computer and the new Brother is more Mac friendly.

The Quattro 3 allows for much more on-screen editing so I don't actually need to use the old software PEDesign that I used on my old ULT2003 to do things like adding text, combining and layering designs.

All the new Brother machines use USB cards and can read the files within folders, except for the very low end machines. They even have a screen saver function where you can use your own jpgs as the screensavers. I chose some photos of favorite projects!

You can connect your own computer and use the mouse with the sewing machine. So, to get designs to my Quattro, all I have to do, using my Mac only, is to download them from the internet, then drag and drop them onto the USB card, take the card to my machine and instantly they show up and are ready to stitch. Or, I could just attach my computer and do it directly, using the mouse.

With the older Brother I had to use Parallels on my Mac to run a Windows machine and all files had to be put on either floppies OR by using PE Design Card reader and putting them on the Brother Design Cards. It is much simpler now - and faster.

The Quattro 3 also came with an electronic tablet where you can do some simple digitizing that goes directly into the embroidery machine. It's kind of neat feature, but it is pretty limited, and there are so many built in frames, shapes on the machine, that I doubt I'll use it much. It's easier to just quickly digitize it using my software and send it to the machine. But, I think I'll enjoy using it with my grandson when he comes to visit. It's simple to use!

I believe the Brother is as friendly to the machine embroidery world as the Mac is to the computer world. It all just makes sense and they have improved nicely over time. It's like their team actually asks the stitchers how they can improve their machines and then they do it.

Something else I like about the Brother machines is how easy they are to thread. This is very important to me since so many designs require so many thread changes. I love the lights - it truly is lit up enough for me! And my goodness the snowman works like a charm so I can get everything centered and straight. There are just so many bells and whistles it is a delight!

3 comments

by hightechgrammy 03 May 2014

So, although you used to need special software for Brothers, you don't need to any longer, even if you use a Mac.

by spendlove 03 May 2014

Thanks for that - it seems that the newer machines are less dependent on software.

by hightechgrammy 03 May 2014

That's what I am thinking, regardless of the Manufacturer.

Now that most machines use USB devices to transfer designs from computer to machine, I believe it has become less restrictive to the software required by specific name brand machines. What remains important is that the software will export to the format required by each machine. Of course, if your machine does not accept a USB device (like mine), brand name specific devices (card readers) and supporting software may still be required.

1 comment

by spendlove 02 May 2014

Thank you for that, it helps complete the picture!

The newer Baby Locks and Brother machines do not require any software to enable them to embroider a design...many built in designs and both use USB sticks for external designs...no muss, no fuss...

My Bernina 180 needs software minimum Artista Editor or free OESD Artlink to write to a card inserted into embroidery unit and which can be used over and over OR send designs to machine with cable. Editor and Artlink provide limited editing functions.

My Bernina 730 does not need software. Simply copy your design to a thumb drive,(suggested 256 mb but understand larger can be used)insert thumb drive into usb socket on 730 and embroider. You can do some editing in the machine but I have software so didn't need to learn this.

Hope this is useful info.

SQ

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by spendlove 02 May 2014

Thanks for that clear explanation.

imagona2 Sue I have a Husqvarna Viking Platinum for about 8 years now and until lately had no problem with BUT it is dependent on a dongle. My dongle no longer works so I cannot Embroidery on it, I have tried to have it fixed or buy another one but they no longer have 3D. To use this machine to embroidery again I will have to buy 5D with dongle but not sure that I can find as they now have 6D without dongle. I can use the machine for sewing.

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by AuntAnnie 02 May 2014

I have a HV Platinum Plus and use HV software. The dongle is used with the HV software and inserted into the USB port of the computer, not the embroidery machine (my embroidery machine reads designs from a D-card). While it is true that you may not be able to transfer new designs to a blank card, your embroidery machine remains operational without a dongle.

Sue - I've had a Pfaff for about 15 years now. First 7570 -- which I traded in on a 2140 -- and then had that one updated to 2144 and on to the 2170. I still use that machine and any designs that have been saved to the machine or are on a card can be stitched out without being connected to the computer. I also have the Pfaff Creative Vision and I love it because of the larger hoops available. It came with designs already in the machine which can be stitched out without having the computer connected; also it reads designs from a USB stick as well. However, I do have the software and this gives me the opportunity to play with designs and/or lettering, make combinations or delete something...basically to have some fun. If I save my work on a stick and then put that into the machine I can then stitch it out. The software uses a dongle that enables me to do what I want ON THE COMPUTER only. It has nothing to do with the stitchout as far as I understand it. Also, the machine will read all formats except the Bernina ART; that is an exclusive format. From what I have heard...Bernina can read all formats but does not share theirs. I hope this helps. If not, ask me more specifically what you are looking for and I'll try to help. BTW - love your projects. Avis

I've had Husqvarna machines since 1980, before that I had an Elna, which still is in good working order.

My Husqvarna Designer1 used diskettes, not the floppy 5.25 ones, but the 3.5 diskettes. My daughter now owns it. And you can load designs to the floppy from the software, both Husqvarna/Pfaff 3D (which I also gave her) or Embird. And I suppose from others as well.

My Ruby uses an USB-stick and most of my designs are done in Embird and I load every design including the ones made in 5D or 6D either from Windows Explorer or Embird Manager. Only software that came with the Ruby was that which enables the machine-computer cord, which I never use anyway.

I also own a Brother 190D, purely for the Disney designs. That one uses embroidery cards - so I have PED-basic, the reader/writer with a blank card.
And I have a Melco MB-4 that uses a flash drive as well. Does not need software unless you use the connection cord. So again Explorer or Embird Manger works well.

So, you really don't need extra software with a newer machine, the free ones are good enough for editing, resizing and reformatting.

1 comment

by spendlove 02 May 2014

Interesting, thanks!

I have the Pfaff 4.0 the software the machine have read any format I love it I will check the Pfaff out they are made i German Maria

I have a Viking. You can embroider a design with out software But you need a way to get it to a floppy-drive or cd-(which do not come with machine) or their usb devise. A software program came with my embroidery machine called organizer. I think now you need to download from web. Do not know if there is a charge now. I have soft ware for computer and use to put frames or combine designs adding text etc I have a great support system with our dealer. Have had Vikings since '72 before embroidery machine.


Stopped with Ruby because of cost. Have many hours on her doing sewing and embroidery. For me I would not buy any other brand.

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by spendlove 02 May 2014

Thank you.

I have an old Pfaff 7570 which I love. I can use only PCS and DST formats BUT with Wilcom Truesizer, a free downloadable program you can convert almost any other format into the one you need.

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by spendlove 02 May 2014

I'm talking about software that the machine cannot function without.

With my BayLocks I don't need anything extra and I believe the same thing is true for Brother. They are almost identical machines. The older ones needed card readers which were supplied with the machine. If lost one had to purchase another one otherwise there was no way to get the design to it.


I find that often dealers try to sell you a program like "Designer Gallery" and if you are new to embroidery you might think you have to have it not knowing about the free programs that let you look at the design and convert.

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by spendlove 02 May 2014

Thank you - I thought the same!

Are you referring to the software that is installed on your Embroidery/Sewing machine itself, or the software used to edit/digitize designs?

The software that allows the machine to read/open files is all that is really required. As long as your machine supports the embroidery file type you want to load, it should all work. My machine can read many file types, even text documents ( with CC info, etc.) can be opened right on the screen.

Of course, the dealer is going to try to sell all the bells & whistles when someone purchases an expensive embroidery machine, and that includes the brandname software. I think it is a matter of personal preference, as to any additional software one might purchase in order to convert, edit or create designs.

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by spendlove 02 May 2014

I'm not talking about digitising and editing software, but software that the machine cannot function without.

My Bernina 440QQE has Artista software and will not do embroidery without the software. It will sew like the dickens without it though. It has been an absolute dream and I've never had any problems with it. Knock on wood. ;)

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by spendlove 02 May 2014

So presumably it has to be connected to a computer to embroider?

My old Singer will not work without the software and the software will not work without the Singer.
I really like my Babyllock! I can send designs with or without software.

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by spendlove 02 May 2014

Thanks for this information.

Huskvarnia (sp) is also proprietary, and their software sucks. I had one for 10 years and finally replaced with a BabyLock which I love. I could still use the software but once I paid off my BabyLock, I replaced with software with Florina.

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by spendlove 02 May 2014

What were you using the software for?

Sue, I think Bernina is the only one that is proprietary. Most other softwares will read ART format and convert it to whichever one you need, but you cannot convert TO ART format from any other software. At least that is my understanding. I love love love HusqvarnaViking machine and software, but since I have a MAC, I also have Embrilliance Essentials for both MAC and PC. Hugs. Nan W

2 comments

by spendlove 02 May 2014

Do you actually need the software to use the machine?

by deannabriese 02 May 2014

It sounds like you need to see a good dealer. I have used Vikings since 1965. I now have a Diamond, my 3rd Viking embroidery machine and have issues with it. I also have a Brother 950 small, light weight, sews great but only uses a 4 inch hoop. And my dream machine a Bernina 10 needle which is wonderful for embroidery - only embroidery. All 3 machines use a memory stick and cable to the computer to download designs to the machines. A reliable dealer like Quality Sewing and Vacuums in Washington state will repair your machine so it is fully operational. That includes upgrading the internal computer software for your machine. Before you buy 5D or 6D please consider Floriani software. They do not use dongles and verify it online. They upgrade the software for you so you NEVER need to purchase another version. They have proven to be a good company with good products. Also, I use Buzz Explorer to view libraries of my designs and change from one file type to another for the various machines. It is fast, reliable, and cheap to purchase. Good luck. Let us know what happens