DSF

Hi embroiderers - some free software that you might like to try - Stitch ERA Universal (Express Edition) - can be obtained via this link: http://www.freesierrasoftware.com/dealer.asp

When the page has loaded, scroll down, enter the security code shown, then click [NEXT]. Follow instructions, and download may take some time downloading so download when you are not likely to be using your computer. The software is about 372MB in size. I have downloaded and installed it on my laptop (Acer 5720Z running Windows 7) and looks to be quite impressive. It will export to a number of common embroidery machine types. For beginners it may look a bit daunting but for those having used embroidery machines/software it may be interesting.

Mal

I have downloaded this on the works pc, I'm hopeing whilst I waiting for customers I can use this to practice on, but have not used it yet,I know its not what I'll will be useing but if it enables me to get a feel of what is required and to press buttons and such like knowing that it won't matter if I mess it up, I'm hopeing that the princpel (Need a spell check on this forum ) will roughly applie to all software, thanks for the link

Hi Jenny - I have had an opportunity to play with the software and it does seem to be quite good. I have thrown up a few errors on it but I think that it is a problem with trying to convert an image which is too large. I shall be checking the sample picture sizes and types and try some conversions matching their dimensions. The software clearly converted its own sample images without any bother.

For free, it is worth trying before spending a few hundred quid on some software.

Catch you later.

Mal

Stitch Era - I've been using this for quite a while now as a free download. A few downsides but a lot of upsides.

Upsides -
- FREE (it was for me, I believe that ETC are now the UK distributor so they may charge a little for delivery of manual? - not sure on that)
-Works well for me, I've not used any other except the starter software supplied with brother machine (PE lite) which was really basic.
-Lots of things you can do, pretty much everything from individual stitches to full blown auto digitizing. Auto and manual options for most things, although auto generally can be bettered when a bit of experience is gained.
-FREE
- There's an online community which is very helpful, if you can get past the 'how do I get this to load' posts
-Very complex options available.
- Good informative downloadable manual (does assume some prior knowledge though)

Downsides -
- Crashes quite a bit, but not a problem if you do a reagular 'save' of what you are doing, that's probably my computer as it's doing a lot of stuff. Quite a few 'exception errors' whatever they are, but usually if a graphic you are converting is too big or complex (or you do something unexpected). It is free after all.
- Maximum stitch count of 40k stitches, anything bigger than this can be done in a couple of parts, I have pasted together big bits on my machine and it worked ok.
-the worst bit, is that it won't work unless you are 'online' as there are rolling adverts, but as that's how they can make it free I guess you can live with that. Not good if you have a slow or flaky broad band connection (sorted mine now) Also the help function is not always available, although a good manual can be downloaded.
-Very complex options available, as above - this can be offputting for a beginner but probably no more than any other software,as to do complicated stuff it stands to reason it may be complicated to get to grips with. There are 'easy' options for most things though.

Would I recommend it? well compared to what I was using a definite YES, compared to other commercial software, don't know as I haven't tried any, but it does what is says it will do. It's certainly worth trying as a first step into 'proper' software as I've had some cracking results out of it, and same with any software, the operator is the key ingredient.

Its nice to get something decent for free (that works) once in a while. You can upgrade at a cost to the 'pro' version which does away with the online bit and adds quite a few features (more stitches) redo an undo and a lot more I expect.

Cheers

Dave