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This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was retired in August 2007. It is being provided by “Sew What’s Up,” which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: Genoa
Date: 12-30-2006, 05:46 AM (1 of 10)
What is the best software to convert my graphics in my computer to download to a Janome 350e. Money is a factor but ease of use is also important. What price range should be reasonable. What is Embird ?
Thanks
User: Genoa
Member since: 12-28-2006
Total posts: 8
From: weezyrider
Date: 12-30-2006, 09:15 AM (2 of 10)
Convert to what? Are you trying to convert graphic formats (gif, bmp, jpg) so you can get it into machine software, or trying to convert machine formats (hus, VIP, pes)? Or are you looking for something like Picture Stitch?
If you are running windows, Paint might work on the graphic format conversion, on #2 there are quite a few programs and 1 or 2 freebies that might work, #3 would probably be a different kind of software, although I think Embird has the capabilities.

Weezy:nc:
User: weezyrider
Member since: 08-19-2003
Total posts: 218
From: Genoa
Date: 12-30-2006, 09:20 AM (3 of 10)
Sorry about that, since graphics are ususally tif,jpeg etc. I want to convert my graphics to use on a card to be inserted into a Janome machine to embroider the picture. I need the name of a software to do that. I am not familiar with embroidery formats.
Thanks
User: Genoa
Member since: 12-28-2006
Total posts: 8
From: Tom Land
Date: 12-30-2006, 05:56 PM (4 of 10)
What you are looking for is digitizing software that will (for sake of simplicity) convert dots per inch to stitches.
There are a number of programs that can do this for you as most of them are now multiformat. My choice for ease of use and capabilities is the Pfaff or Viking (they are really the same program but when used for Pfaff has more features because of the machines capabilities) but the Berninas software is also very good. Brother or Babylocks is pretty sophisticated but not as easy to use.
Embird is easy and low priced just not as advanced as the others in capabilities. Everyone, including myself think the one they use is the best but a lot of that comes from being the one I/they are most familiar with. Although I have used Brother/Babylock and Embird extensively I use the Pfaff/Viking software the most so it is the one I am most comfortable with.
I have never used Berninas software but friends that are dealers tell me it is very good.
I have not used Janomes software in years so really don't know how it has progressed.
All the softwares run about the same price with the exception of Embird which is lower priced unless you want all the additional features that come with the others
Something important to keep in mind is that with the more sophisticated softwares you will really benifit from having good local support.
Have fun or don't do it, Tom
User: Tom Land
Member since: 09-21-2005
Total posts: 514
From: paroper
Date: 12-30-2006, 10:26 PM (5 of 10)
One thing for sure, not all software is created equal even if it sells for the same amount. A friend and I were talking about digitizing one day and he was having a problem so I was telling him how it was done in my software....the more we talked, the more features I realized mine had that his didn't but according to him, we had paid the same amount of money for the software ($2000). It is well worth your time to shop around.
pam

Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch)
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004
Total posts: 3775
From: Genoa
Date: 12-31-2006, 06:22 AM (6 of 10)
Thank all of you for the info. I will have to research this further and find someone that might show me one of those mentioned in actual use.
Thanks
User: Genoa
Member since: 12-28-2006
Total posts: 8
From: weezyrider
Date: 01-01-2007, 08:19 AM (7 of 10)
If you want to convert graphic files to formats your software can open - try Irfanview. It's free, and does a fairly respectable job. Will convert to bmp, which should open in Paint. It will open tiff, and jpg. Paint should open jpg. Paint comes with the Windows OS.

HTH
Weezy:bluesmile
User: weezyrider
Member since: 08-19-2003
Total posts: 218
From: Genoa
Date: 01-02-2007, 05:20 AM (8 of 10)
Since I am new and just learning I appreciate all the help this forum can give me. I need a push in the right direction. Thanks to all
Thanks for the suggestion. I can open all of my graphic files in any other graphic file with my current software. I studied irfanview and viewed all of the plugins. I am not that well versed with embroidery formats but I could not find any conversion from a graphic format to an embroidery format to use on a janome machine. Can you point me to the right plug in?
The other suggestions were Pfaff or Viking. Can they work with a Janome machine? Embird was suggested.
Unless there is something else out there I will have to consider an expensive software at a later date. Is Embird a descent software to convert my graphic files to embroidery format at the lowest price?
Thanks
User: Genoa
Member since: 12-28-2006
Total posts: 8
From: paroper
Date: 01-02-2007, 10:33 AM (9 of 10)
If I were going to randomly convert designs to a machine and did not have a machine in mind? I'd go to PES format. The reason is because the Brother machines have been around a long time, they are affordable and there are a lot of machines out there that use PES. At the same time, Brother makes Baby Lock so they also take PES and they've made the older Deco machines for Bernina....in other words, the most common format is PES.

If you determine that you are going to market your designs for multiple formats, be sure that you always go back to your original design to convert the formats. If you original is PES, then go from PES to JEf, PES to XXX, etc...that way you don't get as much degradation of the design. I use ART which is an absolutely wonderful format because if allows infinate scaling up and down of all designs made in ART (that are still ART) but it is a format that is not shared by the software companie(s) so, often when I find something sold as ART it is way down the list in terms of when it is converted. If they Chain convert...PES to JEF to XXX to .... then I get a VERY low grading scale, sometimes so low I can barely do anything with the designs. If the design was done as ART I get a very high scale, if it was done from the original I get a medium scale. I prefer med to high because then I have some controls over the colors, sizing etc.

Once you find a software that will convert into any single format, you can use Wilcom Trusizer (free) to change the formats.

Many times when you convert from a non-embroidery format you have to digitize or auto digitize the design before you can use it. Many of the software programs that do that can be expensive. However, if you start out digitizing in the software, you can skip that step. I believe that Weezy has given you some options for conversion to software formats though and that is good because that is the biggest jump...from there on out it isn't that hard.
pam

Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch)
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004
Total posts: 3775
From: ilesliemy
Date: 01-08-2007, 06:32 PM (10 of 10)
I do use the Pfaff/Viking software and love it. If I don't use it for a while I still remember how to do it without checking directions. Not so with Embird, but I like Embird alot. I couldn't exist without Iconizer. I like the animated stitch by stitch also. I think the complete suite is only about $300. and it is pretty capable. I joined a Yahoo Group for occasional help with Embird.
Leslie
User: ilesliemy
Member since: 01-07-2007
Total posts: 1
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