Grace I don't know what you want to edit or if you are looking to learn how to digitize. Wilcome Truesizer is free and lets you convert from format to format, re-size etc. Since it is free it is worth checking out. I believe it may even download to your card.

Yes, I think those are the first things you want to do with designs other than stitch them out. There's a learning curve with all machines - I could tell a difference in my skills at 6 months, and at a year, but also at 2 and 3 years. Now, I take more "risks" of failing at a difficult or complex stitchouts. You are at the beginning of a great adventure! Enjoy.

I don't know which software is "the best", first of all you have to establish what you want to do with it and how much you want to spend.

I use the Basic Embird with Iconizer, its price is reasonable and I'm happy with it. You could start downloading Embird which allows you to explore the full program for 30 days, then decide if you want to buy it or not.

Hugs, Lidia

Take a look at Embrilliance Essentials. Easy to use and good help if you need. Reasonably priced and you can add other modules as you progress. Hugs. Nan W

Grace, I have had basic Embird for many years, and love its features. I do not know how I ever did machine embroidery without the Embird Iconizer plug-in, which allows one to view a design in full size with pertinent info about it. Designs show up in full color within folders, making it easy to locate which one you want to use.
I recently purchased the Studio (digitizing portion), but have not tried my hand at digitizing yet. There are so many nice designs already available by other talented digitizers, I may never learn to digitize.
In my opinion, Embird software is a great bargain for the price. You can purchase only the portion that you need, and add to later!
Hugs, Angel

check out sands computing (s&scomputing.com) they have sew what pro, sew write and other programs. They are all very affordable and the support from them is great..Clo

I like Embird basic and iconizer. Someday I plan to get the studio (to digitize) and the font engine (to make true type fonts into designs). I like that you can get apiece at a time rather and thousands of dollars for a single package all at once.

I use SewWhatPro and I would not like to be without it. Good luck with whatever you choose.

Welcome to the Cute Community, Grace, you'll find lots of help here, for sure. Congratulations on your Christmas present! What kind of machine did you get? How large are your hoops? And what exactly do you want to "edit"? Most designs that you purchase or are given as "freebies" are ready to be sewn out onto the article of your choice. The only thing you have to do is follow the color chart, usually just coming as close to the color listed with the colors you have, because charts are written for the brand of thread the digitizer uses, and in my experience it's never the one I use. So follow the color chart as a guide, and just sew out some designs. If you're new to machine embroidery, you may want to make some "test" squares of different designs on muslin, which is a fairly cheap fabric. That way you can practice hooping, using different stabilizers and seeing the effect of the different weights and types, seeing how close your thread colors match the thread charts, and if you're pleased with them in the design. You can always use these test squares to put together a tote bag or a lap quilt, so it's not wasted time or material. And, it might be helpful to get the hang of the machine before you try to embroider on something more expensive and hard to replace.

So, again, perhaps you could explain what you "need" to find software to do. It's fun and convenient for a lot of things, but I don't think it should be "necessary" in order for you to sew out designs with your machine. Please tell us what kind of machine, and what exactly you want to do with any kind of software, we can be of more help to you that way so you can enjoy your new toy to the utmost! Hugs, Marji