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Oldman · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 7:39 pm Post subject: EM2 Software

I am an old man who is interested in digitizing. Since I may not be doing it a long time (at 78 you never know when it will be over) I do not want to spend a small fortune. I have read about the EM2 which costs very little. Has anybody used it? How about Embird? Does the basic program allow you to do manual digitizing. I am also new at this "forum" business. If I am out of line in what I am doing--- Please let me know. Thanks (in advance) for your input and help. The Oldman

Silver · Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 3:30 pm Post subject: Dear Sir

First of all...'old' is a state of mind (I figure if I keep telling myself that I will believe it one of these days lol).

Second when you buy digitizing software, in my opinion, where you buy it makes as much difference as what you buy. Even with a background in computers (I started with 'em when Cobalt and Fortran were a languages of choice and 4k of RAM was a bragging point!) some of these programs make my head hurt! I would buy whatever software you want to use from a dealer in your area who either gives free classes or has the time and patience to give you the help you deserve. Ask a million questions of the dealer if he/she is impatient with you before you open your wallet I can guarantee they will be less than accommodating once your check has been cashed! There are many great dealers around... check with local sewing groups to find one in your area.

Third... If you want to 'test drive' software many companies offer free demos online or they will send you a disk with the program on it you can use for 30 days or so free. Then there are VERY basic programs like 'SophieSew' that are actually free.

Last but not least, if and when you buy a program be sure that you don't buy more program than you really need.... If you are just going to do basic things like monogram towels and simple images on things you don't need a thousand dollar digitizing program! Be sure the program does what you want it to also... Many programs require you buy add-ons to do things like lettering which is very very handy (necessary imo) to have.

And please please be aware that there are many software 'prates' selling digitizing program. As I am sure you know...if a deal is too good to be true then it probably is....

Good Luck!

oldSilver Wink

Embird free demo:
http://embird.com/sw/embird/newdown.htm

Cutiepie · Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 1:52 am Post subject:

My Gram said at age 91 that she was just beginning to get old, so there you are. Laughing

As for Embroidery Magic 2, I have it and enjoy it, but you need to know that there is quite a learning curve for manual digitizing, and EM2 is so inexpensive because the company that created it DOESN'T supply much in the way of instructions. There is another, more recent, version of the program out that is called Fancyworks Studio, but that one costs a fair bit more. It all depends on what you want to be able to do. Both allow you to do manual digitizing, lettering, monogramming, merging of designs into one, and many other things. FWS just has more "bells and whistles" included.

If you decide to go with it, I recommend that you buy it and the tutorial for it from Aunty M Designs. http://www.auntymdesigns.com/ There are three or four tutorials around, but I believe that Aunty M's is the best. She explains things very well in a step-by-step manner, and she also has a Yahoo group that is specifically for those people who buy the tutorial. On that group, you can ask for any help you might need and she will answer you herself. It is like having your own personal teacher right at hand whenever you need her. She's even been known to call people in person in order to solve their problems.

Oldman · Posted: Sat May 03, 2008 7:20 pm Post subject:

Thanks for replies to my request for help with digitizing software. It is so good to know that people are willing to share time and help. Have a good day and success with your digitizing. The Old Man

marji · Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 9:35 am Post subject:

Hi, Oldman!!!! Wow is it ever nice to see a guy on the forums!! And I think it's super wonderful that you want to learn digitizing at your time of life (my age isn't that far behind yours, my friend). My Dad was like you, and if there had been computers back when he was in his 70's, he would have been learning to program them, I'm sure! Go for it!! I got the Janome Digitizer Pro with my Janome 300E machine, because my late husband was a computer guru and said I should get the best thing out there. It was very very expensive, but I do dearly love it. I have heard people talking about less expensive programs, like Embird, and there seem to be lots of tutorials for that program around. Do a search on your computer and see who is offering to let you download a free trial version of something before you buy it, and see how you like it. There is a learning curve with manual digitizing, but it's not impossible. If you can learn to use Microsoft Publisher (like I did by the seat of my pants) then you can learn to digitize. Learning the program itself is the first hurdle, then learning how to place stitches, underlay, and how to make the path your design will take is the second hurdle. When I first started I made some absolutely gorgeous designs that looked fabulous on the computer screen, but when I got them to my embroidery machine were a disaster of too many jump stitches, too many thread color changes, way too dense, and took 3 hours to sew out!! So, back to the drawing board, as they say. I learned how to fix them by sewing a lot of mistakes, but have become pretty good at it now. You can do it too, I'm sure.
By the way, where in Pennsylvania are you? I'm close to Erie, up on the Lake. If you're not too awful far, perhaps I could be of help to you.
Wherever you are, good luck to you!!!
Marji