Machine Embroidery Software

Most machine embroidery software is written for Windows OS, but some alternatives are already available for Mac users. In order to see the design on a computer you must have a program that can open the design format . Most companies make a software program that operates in Windows.  If you have a MAC, none of these sewing machine company software programs will work. So to be able to see your design on your computer screen you will need to buy a software program that works in MAC OS. If you are unfamiliar with what the machine embroidery software terms, I highly recommend that you research them before investing in a large software purchase. 

It was hard to figure out the differences in what each one actually could do. In many of terms I assumed that I understood embroidery terminology. And sometimes I thought I understood it but later learned what the term really meant. There may be others out there with these very basic questions. eg : Converting Embroidery  File. I did not realize that each machine company used a different file extension format to save the embroidery image or that some companies have more than one format. An embroidery software program that "converts" will only convert the format, it doesn't convert the image that you see on your computer. 

Like me, they know nothing about machine embroidery software, so I hope this helps them. Even it was just a feature comparison, not a serious evaluation. And the various numerous obscure file formats and you will find yourself in a software jungle that is hard to beat in terms of inaccessibility, obscurity.

There are quite a basic difference between programs that are "stitch-based" and others that are based on vector graphic objects annotated directly or indirectly with stitches. Most modern programs are vector-based in one way or another. In roughly speaking, we can distinguish between several types of software, although sometimes the frontiers are blurred. 

The purpose of each embroidery program, at the very least, is to allow you to view the design file on your computer. It allows you to do more, of course, but without a software program you can not even see the design image on your computer, you will only see the file name. A high-end machine embroidery software suites should include all of the software types listed below:

• Embroidery Software to create designs for "manual" embroidery
• Vectorizers can translate a bitmap image to vector formats. Vectorizers can be found in typical general purpose drawing software like Illustrator or Inkscape, but also in embroidery software.
• Viewers allow to view files, useful for script generated formats for example
• Digitizers can translate a vector format to CNC code or intermediary stitch section representations. It usually also includes a vectorizer. This is must have. Some digitizer work automatically (or almost), others give a lot of control to the "puncher". Most offer both possibilities.
• Converters can convert from one format to another. Usually include a viewer and can do transformations.
• Editors can draw designs and sometimes also vectorize. Design parts are usually in some kind of higher-level vector format and can be resized, rotated, moved, etc. Sometimes intermediary stitching areas are used, since they can be annotated with size independent stitching parameters. Finally, editors also should allow to produce stitches in various ways for both fills and strokes. In that respect, they share functionality with digitizers.
• Lettering programs can create fonts that are stitchable. If you just use a digitizer to translate letters from a vector file you likely will get bad results, since the filling algorithm is not optimized for lettering.
• Transformers can resize, rotate, (sometimes) change colors, i.e. do some lightweight global editing.
• Organizers help to organize embroidery designs on your hard disk.
• Complete embroidery CAD Suites, can create sophisticated drawings (vector based embroidery, VBE) and support all the design stages. Often, the drawing module is based on existing high-end vector graphics software. E.g. Pulse's embroideryi2 is an add-on for either Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW; (Intel Macs, only). Bernina's Embroidery software is based on Corel (made for the home market). Wilcom DecoStudio and Wilcom EmbroideryStudio integrate CorelDRAW Graphics Suite with Wilcom's renowned stitch processor, lettering, monogramming and appliqué tools to create a complete graphics and embroidery software solution. (made as entry-level professional tool).

When you plan buying any sort of machine embroidery design software, you should check if your machine brand and type is directly supported, i.e. if the software can export a design to model-specific file formats (like *.art, *.jef, *.pes, etc.). 

Be understanding and get the best machine digitizing/embroidery Software and  you don't have to be an expert to create a stunning embroidery designs that print and stitch flawlessly.  

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