- Embroidery software programs offer significantly different features, referred to as applications. Each software manufacturer develops different built-in applications within the program, known as tools. The resizing tool is a key element of any program. This feature allows the designer's artwork to be resized to fit the embroidery machine's set parameters, also known as the embroidery field.
- Most current embroidery machines have an LCD touch screen with built-in programs. Although these programs cannot be altered, the embroidery designer can create new designs by mixing the built-in patterns within different layout formats. Some built-in programs offer more than 500 embroidery designs, editing tools that includes layout, pattern rotation, mirror imaging and scaling, a custom stitch design tool as well as features that combine printed images with embroidery designs to develop three-dimensional art. This program, although not available for your personal computer, can be easily used directly on the touch screen.
- Drawing programs allow the designer to transform an image such as clip art or an existing embroidery file, which is referred to as a .pes file, into a new embroidery image. Files must be compatible in a vector or bitmap format. Most of the drawing programs offer basic tools such as a color palette, resizing stitch file capability, stitch density recalculations, image pad and drawing tool. Although this program is geared for the beginner to intermediate, it is beneficial to follow tutorials to learn about the embroidery process.
- Embroidery digitizing software is one of the leading embroidery programs geared for the intermediate to advanced embroiderer. Although this software has most of the built-in tools from the drawing program such as the free-hand conversion, image pad and stitch count, it has a vast array of built-in advanced features. Tools such as image conversion stitch files, design editing, stitch fillers, embroidery font creation, embroidery and printed background combinations, photo embroidery conversion capability, auto digitizing functions converting artwork into embroidery, as well as a comprehensive database cataloging system for your file retrieval, guarantees the embroiderer to stitch out high quality embroidery. The digitizing program generally requires a separate reader-writer box, which is connected into your computer's USB port, and then writes the program onto a digitized embroidery card.
- Embroidery programs geared towards lettering and monogramming are for the beginner to advanced embroiderer. These programs are designed as an add-on feature to installed existing embroidery programs. The software generally includes a wide range of built-in fonts, the ability to merge multiple stitch files to one screen, an on-screen sewing simulation tool and a true type font auto feature which ensures that the design will be stitched out as envisioned.
- It is important to research the program's system requirements prior to your purchase. Your existing personal computer and embroidery machine must be compatible to the program's requirements. These programs are quite costly and generally cannot be returned once purchased. The program's compatibility is the crux of being able to stitch out embroidery designs effectively. For example, the drawing program is known for its limited compatibility as well as the limited amount of file formats it is able to read. Digital embroidery software has several components that need to be compatible to the program such as the personal computer, the embroidery machine, the reader-writer box and the digital embroidery cards. Lettering programs, which are usually compatible, are generally used as an add-on feature to previously installed embroidery programs.
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -