I don't have either one, but from what I've heard Embird is a lot cheaper! And, since so many people use it, there seem to be a lot of tutorials and yahoo groups available for support. I suspect Martine will have good advice for you, because she uses both 3D and Embird. Hugs, Marji

Joyc, great question - I hope we find out soon. *4U

I have been looking into the Embird and found alot of helpful insight here on the Cute website. I located it in the General section area under software. I am certain you already know this but perhaps another Newbie like myself could use the direction. I look forward to learning with you! Flower and blessings to you!

Come on Meg this one is for you. Sounds like the program you got last week. Oppps forgot its only 9;15am here in Aust and Meg will still be sleeping :):):)

I have embird & have had it more than 2 yrs. I've barely scratched the surface with it. I cannot function without it. *4U

4D Embroidery is a software program available through Viking. I have 4D Extra and it is limited for digitizing for the serious digitizer. I love it for what I do. There is a 4D Professional verison but is expensive. There is a member here that uses it so maybe she will respond. I don't know anything about the Embird.

I have 3D Pro (did not upgrade to 4D Pro) and I have Embird. The method of digitizing is very different. In 3D (and 4D) you have to set many points to get a nice curve, in Embird you set far less points. Second point of difference is that in Embird you have a control panel that shows exactly what steps you've taken, which makes correcting and shifting things around far easier. 4D is more user friendly than 3D, so correcting there is easier, but still not as easy as Embird. In Embird you can make your own patterns for fillings, very useful for lace. 4D on the other hand has far more filling options to start with and a lot of alphabets to choose from. Embird has alphabets as add-ons, which you have to buy. 4D however is far more expensive, especially the pro suite. For digitizing I prefer Embird in most cases, 4D has Sketch and Cross Stitch which I like to use. I don't like their photostitch unit, but I don't know the Sfumato add-on of Embird, so I can't compare. Tubby has 4D and he makes beautiful designs. So I think it's a matter of what YOU like best and find easiest. I would look at some of the Embird free videos (at the Embird site and at the 'university' section of Clipartoplis) and the 3D/4D videos on http://www.linsews.com/, see her monthly lessons in the archive. This will give you a good idea how to use either program.