The Best Embroidery Software Comparison Out There - vlog #7

A little discussion on whether you need embroidery software, and where to find a comprehensive list of software titles for Machine Embroidery editing and digitizing, including free ones!
Here's the wiki link I share in the video:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compari...
And a link to the Embird editing/digitizing software I'm using:
www.embird.net/
The squirrel design is from embroiderylibrary.com, all other in-the-hoop doll designs shown are from my design shop - www.BallyhooCreations.com

[@miaforte8536]

Thanks for the Wikepedia page with comparisons. Great resource. Also, thanks for the video, look forward to the future video on vector to embroidery. Appreciate the time you take to create these videos.

[@LeOlamVaed]

Love your videos. Please keep them coming!

[@Ubersaur]

Your tutorials are very helpful and informative, thank you for sharing your expertise :)

[@deniseboyd1111]

thanks for sharing great info

[@KaungAungplus]

Hello Lucy, Great video. I read through the wiki website. It was very informative. Thank you for pointing out how it is not just turning jpeg into embroidery files. It makes sense now that you talk a bit more about it. I watched a few more videos and it was labor intensive. Would be great to learn more from you :)

[@BallyhooCreations]

Thanks! Even auto-digitizing can be complex and expensive. I wish more people knew that before buying their machine. Too many people get disappointed when they realize this limitation.

[@SarahHafley]

Ink/Stitch is still out there and being supported. They had a massive upgrade in 2022 and they are working on another massive one that is probably going to be out in 2024. I just got an embroidery machine in Jan 2023 and it is what we have been using exclusively. It does have a pretty steep learning curve and requires that you know how to do basic vector art design in Inkscape to use it.

[@BallyhooCreations]

Thanks for sharing!

[@justmy2cents652]

I'm am big fan of Ink/Stitch, too! I was already working with inkscape for basic graphic designs. Ink/Stitch has some pretty cool features like the pdf export which has a great realistic view and you can individualize it with your own logo, infos, etc. I use Embrilliance for comfortable designing (Essentials, Stitch Artist 2, BX Fonts, importing vectors which I created in Inkscape) but to join different designs, save it in different formats (Embrilliance produces "ghosts stitches" sadly) or to clean up individual stitches Ink/Stitch is just the best. And it's all for free.

[@SarahHafley]

@@justmy2cents652 And the 3.0.0 upgrade looks amazing. I haven't messed around with it yet, but lots of really neat features.

[@BallyhooCreations]

Thanks for sharing. I'll have to go back and look at inkstitch again. With all the new AI tech now available, it's a good time for an underdog software to breakout and become the new pack leader. Could that be inkstitch???

[@wasd____]

@@BallyhooCreations I've never used anything _but_ Inkstitch, and over the last several years it keeps getting better and better. Embroidery machines are already expensive, and having to pay as much again (or even significantly more) just to get software is a big issue for making embroidery accessible to a lot of people. Not being cheap, either - $1000+ is just not affordable for a ton of people even if they _wanted_ to pay for software. Inkstitch is a godsend for making it possible to lower that gate and let people get started and succeed in their hobby projects, or even do professional work and start earning for themselves, without being locked out by $$$ hungry corporations.

[@SINGING_POTS]

I very much want to only embroider custom designs of mine and really want to find the best (easiest to learn) software for turning my designs digitized for embroidery ! Thanks for sharing, I appreciate your video sharing

[@ingeneren]

I use PE design for all of my digitizing. It has everything I need to modify different formats. I have the full package. PE design 11. When ai started I was using PE design 4.

[@BallyhooCreations]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@angelaackerman8934]

Do you know anything about the older embroidery software? I have old serial port Amazing box that uses the blank memory cards. My situation is that my new laptop is USB only so i need a new old Amazing box with USB. I can’t afford a newer embroidery machine. I found some new old ones on etsy, ebay etc. bu I can’t remember if any activation code is required. If so the converter box will be useless. I have a lot of embroidery files saved. I just need another converter box. I’m using my old Brother PE150 . Can’t afford a new machine. Thanks.

[@1packatak]

Lucy you are so right. It takes lots and lots of time to learn how to digitize. Like months!! And you have to keep at it to maintain that skill set. For someone who does not have the time or patience to learn, there are some awesome companies out there that have wonderful designs at very reasonable prices. Plus, some of the newer upper end machines will allow you to combine designs right on your computer. Some will even do basic digitizing, and even scan a drawing (think one that a grandchild might make) and with a few clicks turn it into an embroidery design. One other note about usb sticks. I was advised several years ago to buy a usb extension cable and keep it plugged into my machine. Then just insert the usb into the extension. The reason is it can cost several hundred dollars to replace the usb port on your machine if it is damaged. A new extension cable is usually less than $10.

[@BallyhooCreations]

Agreed! Those expensive machines have eliminated the need for editing software. But most people on a more entry level machine get so confused about the software issue and how to make basic editing happen. It's overwhelming. Thanks for the advice on the USB extension. I have not done that yet, but will soon!

[@normarangel2879]

Thank you for sharing comparison of embroidery software.

[@myronmitchell1791]

Thanks for the info on software...I am still on the fence about whether I need to invest in software...Sheila

[@idontcare1481]

I love you!!! Thank You so much! I have subscribed and can’t wait for your video for beginners. I love how you put drawers on the walls, GENIUS! I’m going to buy a bigger machine for embroidery, I can only do 4”x4” with my only machine. I’m going to look and see if you have done a video comparing machines or suggestions for one.

[@BallyhooCreations]

Welcome to the channel! Hope you found my video about what machine to buy, the Flourish 2 would be a great upgrade for you. I'm filming the beginner series next week so it's coming soon. 😁

[@idontcare1481]

@@BallyhooCreations Thank you! I’m going to check out the Flourish 2 right now. I’m looking forward to your upcoming videos.

[@helenwood351]

I really enjoy your channel and you

[@primadawnadolls6124]

Thanks this was so helpful!

[@BallyhooCreations]

Glad it helped!

[@Martini4825]

Ask the community for tips and tricks on how to ease your life when filming for KZbin. Thanks for your advices, much appreciated! :D

[@LenaRayAtl]

Great video! I’ve heard of only a few kinds of embroidery software. I’ve settled on Embrilliance after several trials from different software companies. I just think it’s a personal preference as to how which one you find the easiest to learn on. Thanks for sharing the link!

[@BallyhooCreations]

Embrilliance is a popular software for embroidery. Thanks for sharing!

[@shanthivethanayagam2995]

Lucy... I am looking to use a multiposition hoop for my Brother SE625. Do I need software for doing this?

[@BallyhooCreations]

Hi Shanthi. Your machine won't know you put a bigger hoop on there, it will only be able to process a design that fits it's 4x4 stitch area. To use a multiposition hoop you need to use "split" designs so they fit that 4x4 area.. This is where a design is split into two parts either by you (using editing software) or by the designer selling the design. So the answer to your question depends on the designs you need the multiposition hoop for - are they designs you purchased that already call for that type of hoop? Or do you want to stitch big designs (such as borders) and align them with less hoopings, which would require you to split the designs in editing software..

[@cherylpeters8466]

Love your dolls also

[@BallyhooCreations]

thank you Cheryl!

[@majaano]

thank you! It hard to find quality content on this subject.

[@BallyhooCreations]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jimmyfavereau]

thanks Lucy

[@mikefiorito1998]

So what kind of program do I need for turning jpegs into embroidery files and which is the best at it. I've been trying to research different ways for sometime now

[@BallyhooCreations]

I'm still not aware of a program that turns jpg into an embroidery file. You can find people CLAIMING it can be done but they're using onee of the following methods: (1) There are some high-end machines that can scan a drawing and convert that but you still need to adjust it. (2) Then, there are auto digitizing programs that can turn a vector graphic (like SVG) into embroidery files. (3) And there are programs like Inkscape that can turn a PNG into SVG. But after all that conversion, you're likely to end up with an embroidery file that looks awful when stitched. The machine embroidery industry has NOT caught up to advances in artificial intelligence, so there is still no easy way to convert. I know it's hard to believe, considering what can be done with graphics these days. But none of those companies create embroidery machine files. When somebody finally creates a program that converts jpg to PES, and does it WELL - they will get rich! 😁

[@uklife4495]

Hi. PES files embrilliance essentials can use any brother embroidery machine v3 innovis in uk?

[@BallyhooCreations]

All the modern Brother machines use the PES format. And all the embroidery software programs can create the PES format. So that combination should work fine for you.

[@uklife4495]

@@BallyhooCreations embrilliance essentials software can work to for brother embroidery machine?

[@krystleroy3068]

I was looking at embird but I have a Mac book will this run well?

[@BallyhooCreations]

Embird will only run on a Mac if you have Parallels installed to run Windows programs. I found it tedious. I think Embrilliance is the only popular digitizing software that runs native on a Mac. It's a similar price point to Embird.

[@angelaackerman8934]

Does anyone know anytnhing about the old Amazing Box converter memory card reader writer? I just need to know if A code is needed to get it synced Thanks to a as y one who can tell me. I can’t afford to buy a new embroidery machine with usb stick.

[@BallyhooCreations]

Did you get this figured out? I saw your most recent comment about transferring to USB stick. I've never used the Amazing Box, but I had something similar from Viking that required a license code or the device couldn't read/write.

[@angelaackerman8934]

@@BallyhooCreations Yes. I talked to a person still using an older embroidery machine. Amazing Box needs no code. They have one with usb but it still won’t run on newer computers with Windows 10-11. They kept an older computer with windows XP running just for their vintage embroidery machine. This person has an eBay sewing store specializing in supplies for older machines. They said no code is needed to run Amazing Box software but free trial software that came with it did need a code. I think I may need to just buy a new machine. I’m considering Brother PE 800 or Brother NS 1150E. These are 5x7. Any thoughts on these?

[@BallyhooCreations]

The pe800 is a very popular machine. There are so many people using it, so it's easy to find tutorials and help. If you're tech savvy, the Eversewn Sparrow is also worth a look. It's a spin off brand of Bernina with nice quality in the 5x7 price range.

[@engineering5um]

☺

[@user-le3tis8si9f]

Why does the app beep caution when you change the scale aspect?

[@BallyhooCreations]

Which app are you referring to?

[@user-le3tis8si9f]

1:50

[@BallyhooCreations]

@@user-le3tis8si9f when you resize a design larger or smaller, you're changing the density of stitches which will affect the quality of your stitchout. So the software is warning you of that.

[@kerrymcilwaine]

I saved up for my first embroidery machine, a brother and bought PEdesign 11….. and then found it doesn’t work on a Mac, had to get parallels and it was awful so then had to buy a PC!

[@BallyhooCreations]

Oh no Kerry! I'm sorry that happened to you.

[@katem1105]

Yes please make some how to videos

[@BallyhooCreations]

I'm working on those videos! Thanks for requesting them, it motivates me to know somebody will actually be watching 😁