digitizing programs

[cjt0520]

I am new this forum thing, So please humor me if I make an error.
I am looking for a digitizing program. I have embird but just cannot figure it out. actually I don't have much time to read and study, I am looking for something that is user friendly and easy to learn. Anyone have any suggestions.
Thank you
Carol

[amcbetsy]

I have Masterworks, but I am just beginning, so I can't tell you if it is easy or not. From what most people say on the internet, however, it seems Embird is one of the easiest to learn. There are a lot of groups that offer help with it I have noticed, and many have classes, tutorials, etc. I am having a hard time finding "real people" support with MW, thought the book is excellent. I hear the tutorial is too, but after buying MW, I can't afford the tutorial quite yet!! This is a very expensive hobby!!! Since you already have Embird, I would stick with that and look online for some good tutorials and invest in those instead of buying a whole different program!!!

[Cutiepie]

I gotta agree with amcbetsy on this (as on so many other things before ). Since you already have Embird (which is supposed to be one of the easiest to learn), don't go spending money on another program. Look on Yahoo!Groups to find a group that deals with digitizing on Embird, ask around about good tutorials, and give it time. Learning to digitize well is not a "do it in a week" task. But with a bit of patience and a good teacher, you can create works of art.

[cjt0520]

I want to thank you for answering the question I already knew in my mind, Just hoping that there was a quick, other answer out there, I have been told this before but just can't get a grasp of it,

[ghost]

This info is so helpful and saving money to...
and by the way yahoo groups are very helpful in this.
thank you.

[marji]

Dear CJT

About your Embird program. Have you heard of a site called Artistic Thread Works? Larry & Holly Pike are extremely nice folks, Holly is the digitizer and Larry is the computer guru. He has put together some tutorials for Embird, which sound pretty good. I don't have Embird, I have Janome's Digitizer Pro, which I learned very quickly. However, I've worked with computers for many years & have not met the program that's gotten the better of me, so take that for what it's worth. I would not go out & spend more money on anothr program, but I think Larry Pike's tutorials might serve you well. Just from his postings in the newsletters, etc. he has a very good grasp of the subject, and a very clear, easy style. I would judge him to be a very good teacher. I emphasize again, I don't have either the program or the tutorials, but I would recommend Larry & Holly Pike to anyone as great people!!

Good luck, when you start digitizing you'll wonder how you ever did anything else.

Marji

[Silver]

Most digitizing programs take a bit of time to get to know. I have Masterworks which is probably the toughest one I have encountered, Origins which is a breeze but no longer available and I have owned and used Janome and Pfaff OEM software too...we won't go there tho lol. If I were to buy a new program Embird would probably be close to the top of my list because it is so easy to use. Some programs have more features but to tell you the truth most at-home embroiderers do not need that complicated of a program. The folks at Artistic Theadworks are great, when I had major issues with the Janome people they 'rescued' me.

Also look into Yahoo groups. There are quite a few digitizing groups and many that specialize in certain machines and certain digitizing programs too.

When you buy a program one of the first things you should ask, and probably the most important feature is what kind of 'people' support they offer. Hands On Lessons should come with every dig. program dealers sell. If they cannot offer that then I think they should reduce their price. Tutorials are great for back-up and additional support, but most of us, even us geeks, need some one-on-one lessons with this kind of CAD programming!

Hang in there and if you really want to try something new go to the mfr. websites. Most, if not all, offer free demo versions for you to try first!

Silver

http://www.designersgallerysoftware.com/trials/
Designers Gallery, they actually write software for a number of brand names.

http://www.designersgallerysoftware.com/MW_Web0603/
http://www.designersgallerysoftware.com/MWL_TrialCD/
Masterworks Lite and II will be sent to you on a disk.

http://embird.com/sw/embird/demo.htm
Embird Free Trial

http://embird.com/sw/embird/oldfiles.htm
Older Versions of Embird

http://www.sophiesew.com/SSDLP/Gallery.php
Sophie Sew if FREE!!!

http://www.brother.com/common/hsm/ped7trial.html
PE Designer Free Trial

http://www.amazingdesigns.com/en/downloads/free-trials/
Amazing Designs Programs

[mrsc5inla]

Hi,

I have both Embird and Masterworks.

To me MasterWorks seems to be more user friendly.
It took me much less time to learn the basics in Masterworks than Embird.

Mary