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jtremblay · Forum Friend Joined: 05 Aug 2006 Posts: 8

I have PE Design 6 and have been fairly successful in doning some simple digitizing myself. I just attended a workshop for Generations 1.5. Wow. either it does a lot more than PED6 or I don't know all of the bells and whistles of PED6. Does anyone know how similar the programs are. I'm debating saving the 2 grand for Generations.

Brizzy · Forum Friend Joined: 10 Mar 2007 Posts: 6

Vicky who was from Sew'l mates was heavily into Brother and PE design and she was rather good at that sort of thing. She also had a close working relationship to the Echidna people who support Generations. Because of this I was introduced to Generations when it first came it. Vicky embraced it, and her shop partner who was not into digitising also found it easy to use. I have not bought it mayself due to the cost, but I have an early verison of PE Design. I suppose it is like anything, if you are going to spend that much money on any program then you really need to know that you will use it alot. From what I saw, Generations had alot to offer, it seemed good, and easy enough to use. I have not used PE Design 6 so I am not sure on the true comparison.
Is there anyone near you who sells Generations, who could give you a good demo? then you could make your own comparison.
Cheers Joan

jtremblay · Forum Friend Joined: 05 Aug 2006 Posts: 8

The input was helpful. I'll try to find someone in the area to visit over spring break. Thanks again.

notarygoddess · Newbie Joined: 19 Sep 2007 Posts: 1 Location: California

I realize your question/comments are several months old but i was just browsing the forum and came across it. I have been using digitizer pro for over a year and thought the program was great but then i discovered generations and i was very impressed. the company that provides the program (hemingworth) has a program whereby you can receive the current full version of the program complete with the dongle to use. they program a code into the dongle so that it can be used for 4 to 6 weeks. the cost for this is $99. after the trial period if you want the program they have a reasonable payment plan for the balance and they will send you an updated code for the dongle. the original $99 goes towards the purchase price.

I love the software and all the types of stitches it supports. editing is amazingly easy compared to digitizer pro.

i hope this information is helpful to you.

happy stitching

denise

Silver · Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 3:43 pm Post subject:

I have a BabyLock BMP 6 that did not come with the software but have used MasterWorks, Origins as well as OEM Pfaff and Janome (Wilcom)software. Generations is very similar to Masterworks but the issues I would have with either of them are the same.

I am glad to hear that Generations is still using a usb key/dongle but ask the company if the dongle/key goes bad after the initial warrantee do they replace it or do you have to buy the program all over again as you would with Origins or Janome's Digitizer?

If they use a 'software key' like Masterworks then keep in mind you cannot run the programs on more that one machine at a time without a software key transfer...you have to transfer the software numeric 'key' code with a software sub-routine on a jump drive or floppy disk from one computer to another. That has to be re-done every time you switch computers and you MUST make a new key EACH TIME! Both machines should be up and running or you risk losing your key in such a transfer and will have to call the mfr. to get a new one. IMO That's a lot of hassle compared to just pulling out your USB 'key' and plugging it into the machine you are going to use next (I go back and forth between using a laptop and the desk top computer in my home).

The next BIG question you need to ask is if the program is Vista compatible. I had no need or desire to upgrade from Widows XP but when I had to have my laptop replaced by HP I had no choice... I had to upgrade to Vista and now I can no longer use my older OEM digitizing software or Origins on it. Masterworks, like many other XP, NT and Win98 programs can be very, very difficult to install and run on a Vista system as well (unless you like peeking and poking about on the computer's registry).

What this all boils down to is that digitizing features is not the only thing you need to consider when buying digitizing software. Will you really use all the features that justify the price??? Few of us will unless we are running a commercial endeavor or are just nit picky detail fanatics like I am! Convenience and the ability to upgrade are really big issues we all need to look at as well. Warrantee on a hardware key and upgrade-ability are something I would ask for IN WRITING too.

Masterworks, like Generations has many great features but has a bit steeper learning curve than most OEM software. If you have time to take classes it would probably be worthwhile but I have found that even though the price of the software was justified by it's features I rarely use them and often revert to the far simpler sort of program like Origins...

Good Luck!
Silver