Review Of Digitizing Software for Embroidery Machines

If you are looking for the best digitizing software to manage your embroidery designs, then check out our reviews of the four most popular packages available. These will help you take your embroidery digitizing to a whole new level.

Why do you need embroidery digitization software?

When you're choosing the best digitizing software, you need to keep the following questions at the top of your list. Otherwise, you could end up wasting your money on software that isn't right for you.

Have you run out of free or purchasable modes, or is something you want not available?

Do you have time to learn this software, or do you want to be up and running in no time? If the latter, maybe you should outsource the work so you can start producing right away. Remember, this software doesn't come cheap. And it will take a while to catch up.

Looking to use the software as a hobby or to improve your design skills and start a business?

What type of embroidery work do you want to use the software for? Would you like to turn any of the following into a beautiful design?

Your favorite photo?

Fabric?

Painting?

Or do you want to let your design talent roam free and create any design you like?

How much do you want to spend? The base price varies depending on the complexity and sophistication of the software. When offered as a special, the price also changes. To help you decide, we've categorized the software and their price ranges as follows:

Beginner Entry Level - Under $250

Intermediate - $250 to $500

Premium - over $500

Professional and state-of-the-art - thousands of dollars

Do you want to start simple? and later upgrade to a higher level software version? When you have established a base of knowledge and experience?

Make sure the software you buy will run on your PC or Mac.

Check whether your embroidery machine can import the data format generated by the software.

We will review each package against these questions. You can examine each factor when making your decision. Also remember that you will need a scanner. Or someone offers a scan file to import to be converted to a digital design by the software.

What is the best digitizing software for embroidery machines?

Brother PE Design Plus

PE-Design Plus is an intermediate-level software package.

The digitizing software creates a digital stitch format from the scanned image. In PE-Design Plus software, the PhotoStitch™ function can do just that.

This package has none of the bells and whistles of the brother PE-Design Next. But it has few restrictions on what you want to design. It provides a range of functions that allow you to:

Perform almost any self-design.

Merge your designs with many built-in designs.

Easily import scanned images (including photos) and create design files.

You can use the simulator to watch it sew on screen. You can view realistic images while editing your designs.

Key features of PE-Design Plus include:

Designed for single needle machines with hoop dimensions approximately 8" x 12.

100+ built-in embroidery designs.

35 built-in fonts.

Three zone sewing stitches (satin, fill and programmable fill).

Plus 2 thread sewing stitches (zigzag and run).

Tons of built-in embroidery designs.

It helps to create your designs.

Shortcoming

Not available on Mac computers. Some folks on Amazon mentioned otherwise, but I've confirmed this from Brother Support.

Limited number of sewing stitches, lack of monograms, small but true fonts.

Judgment

With the price, the price you pay is being shortened in the number of sewing stitches.

Click here to check the availability of the Brother PE Design Plus on Amazon.

Brother PE design next page

PE-Design Next is an upgrade from its Design Plus sibling. Therefore, it is intended for advanced users.

Key additional features in PE-Design Next include:

In addition to being compatible with PE-Design Plus single-needle machines, it is also designed for multi-needle machines with hoop dimensions approximately 14" x 14.

800+ built-in embroidery designs.

100 built-in fonts including true, small and monogram fonts.

Ten zone sewing stitches (satin, radial, fill, spiral, programmable fill, concentric circles, piping, oblique, cross and pattern).

Gradients and color blending. So you can create any visual effect you like.

7 rows of stitches (Pattern, Zigzag, E/V, Run, Wick, Stem, and Tri-thread).

Stamp pattern.

Point editing, circle copying/mirror copying and stitching pattern editing.

Name drop template for creating different names with the same layout.

All these extra features expand your design horizons. Customize your operations with the new Quick Access Toolbar for greater efficiency.

The link function allows you to link more computers (four PR-1000 computers and PR-650 computers) to a single computer with queue capability. It opens doors for you to start your own business.

This is the best machine for your home embroidery business.

Lots of embroidery designs.

Links to machines for commercial use.

Shortcoming

Doesn't work on MAC

Judgment

This is a versatile machine that can export files in many different formats. It may take some time to discover its full potential. But it's worth it. If you want to do business. You won't regret buying it.

Click here to check the availability of PE-Design Next from Amazon.

Amazing Designs - Digitized N Stitch

Digitize N Stitch's price makes it a great entry point for beginners. Even better when you get a free 30-day trial of the full product.

The program accepts any simple clipart or scanned image you like. Then, it converts them into stitches.

Create unique appliqués, intricate fills, cross-stitch and embroidery designs in just a few clicks. There is no limit to your design creativity.

If this is your first time using embroidery digitizing software, don't worry. Simple step-by-step wizards help you from start to finish of the creation process.

The design preview feature means you get a realistic, albeit not perfect, image of what your finished project will look like.

You have many built-in designs:

301 icon design.

40 built-in decal shapes.

188 decorative appliqué stitches.

You can combine different designs into one.

And control the stitching order, which is essential when you want to sew over an existing part of your embroidery.

However, you cannot go further and adjust the size or rotation of any imported designs.

Also, once you click the done button on the design, that's it. You can't go back and make another adjustment. This can be annoying. You either have to start over. Or purchase an editing program to edit N pins. But that means another $200.

You do need to have MS Paint installed on your computer. This program is only compatible with Microsoft Window.

And you have no control over the type of stitches it converts to with imported files. Sometimes the conversion is uneven. You can use different stitches for the same object in an image. not ideal.

Try it for free for 30 days to test whether the package fits your needs.

Easy to follow step-by-step wizard.

Shortcoming

Imported designs cannot be resized or rotated.

Pay extra for editing programs.

Doesn't work on MAC

Judgment

Very affordable plan for beginners.

Click here to check the availability of Digitize N Stitch from Amazon.

Blooming Tailor Levels 1, 2, and 3

As the product description suggests, Embrilliance StitchArtist comes in three editions. Level 1 is for beginners. Level 2 for intermediate users and level 3 for advanced users.

Knowing this from the start is crucial. You cannot use this program for automated design.

It is not an automated digitizing program. Existing designs cannot be customized.

So, if you just want to create designs from scratch, then this is the software for you. StitchArtist does it all. No need to purchase any additional programs.

You control the shape, set properties and stitch types, and StitchArtist will generate the stitches. Just click a button when you change your mind.

Creating designs with StitchArtist is simple. Unlike other software, you don't have to keep switching modes. There is one pattern that does everything.

Use a single mode for resizing, editing, drawing, setting stitches, rotating, sorting and setting properties of design elements.

Level 1 has 12 stitch types. Level 2 adds 12 more stitches. Finally, Level 3 has five more stitch types.

The number of methods and properties available at each level is equally impressive. For level 1, there are 21, including spline/bezier, autosort, and colorsort. In addition to this, there are 5 more in Tier 2 and 16 in Tier 3.

Therefore, the number of stitches, methods and properties increases with each level. This means you can progress at your own pace without being overwhelmed.

You can transition from an amateur embroidery designer at level 1 to more intricate and elaborate designs at level 2.

Finally, Level 3 is the highest goal for design, whether you're still creating designs for your home or working in a business.

You gain experience with each level before moving on to the next level. You don't have to learn a new computer programming interface at any stage.

When you upgrade from level 1 to level 3 or from level 2 to level 3, you will pay more than if you bought level 3 outright.

At Beginner Level 1, you cannot import photos, clip art, or any other images to create stitched files. You can only digitize artwork included in Level 1.

And it doesn't have any built-in embroidery designs.

There is no limit to creating stitch designs from scratch.

Compatible with Windows and Mac computers.

There is no new learning curve when upgrading to levels 2 and 3.

Shortcoming

It's not a photo-to-stitch tool.

Judgment

It provides a smooth path from beginner to advanced level for all self-design projects.

Winner of Best Embroidery Digitization Software:

Best for beginners?

If you're a beginner, opt for the Digital N Stitch from Amazing Designs (check availability via Amazon). It also has some features for intermediate skill levels.

Best for Intermediate?

If you want to move up to the premium level, choose StitchArtist Level 2 (check Amazon for availability).

Best for Advanced?

Likewise, you can't go wrong with the StitchArtist Level 3 (check Amazon for availability). From a price and features standpoint, it's the right decision.

Best for Budget?

Select Stitch Artist Level 1 (check Amazon for availability). Make this choice whether you want to move up to the advanced level or not.

Best for Mac/PC

StitchArt by Embrilliance is the only package that is compatible on the Mac. Remember though that you can't import images. It's all about self-design.

Don't want to import images? Any level of StitchArt is the best choice.

Check availability of the StitchArtist Level 3 through Amazon.

Just want to import images and add customizations? Keep your investment low and opt for Digitize N Stitch by Amazing Designs, (check availability via Amazon).

Hope you found this best embroidery digitizing software review helpful. Let us know in the comments below if we missed your favorite show.

Update: Before you go, one more.

Janom Digitizer MBX V5

Janome offers Digitizer MBX v5. They developed it in partnership with Wilcom International, the top embroidery software developer in the industry.

This means you have an easy-to-use program with all the features you need to create any design you choose.

Beginners won't find it too difficult to use. But at around $1,000, only power users are likely to be hard-pressed for cash.

It is an automatic digitization program. Therefore, you can import any image, including clip art and photos. And automatically generate stitches. Alternatively, you can use an imported image as a background and add a custom design touch.

Your customizations can include creating layouts or borders and adding lettering or patterns. And there are many tools to create designs and styles such as trapunto, engraved stamping, appliqués, vibe quilting, cutouts, grommets and pattern stamping.

There are 10 stitch types, 11 stitch fills and 3 stitch effects.

The software has a full set of editing functions. You can edit design objects and individual stitches. In addition to reshaping, resizing, and rotating objects, you can add or remove seam angles.

There's Stitch Player, which simulates on-screen design stitching. You can view stitching and color sequences in slow motion.

The Hand Embroidery feature lets you create designs with a hand-drawn look. Achieving this through traditional digital methods is difficult. Hand-drawn embroidery tools are operated with a mouse or a WACOM pen.

Digitizer MBX5 is tightly integrated with the CorelDRAW® Essentials package. You can create vector designs in CorelDRAW® and convert them to embroidery designs with a single click. That does mean you have to pay about $80 extra.

· Images can be imported and edited to create your designs.

· There are many options available for customizing existing designs.

· Create designs with a hand-drawn look

Shortcoming

·Vector design requires spending additional money on CorelDRAW®.

· Not compatible with Mac computers.

It provides automatic digitization of imported and custom designs and allows creation of new self-designs.