Machine Embroidery Digitizing - What Youll Need Besides the Software

You've purchased an embroidery machine, practiced the designs that were included in the package, maybe even bought a disc of designs or downloaded a few designs off the Internet to stitch out. Now you're thinking about investing in digitizing software and taking your embroidery to the next level. But the digitizing program is just a part of what you'll need before entering the creative world of embroidery digitizing.

Choosing the Hardware

An embroidery digitizing program is image editing software capable of converting a digital picture to stitches and saving it in a format that can be read by your embroidery machine. And, like any robust image editor, a digitizing program is resource intensive. The program's packaging will state the manufacturer's recommended minimum computer system specifications to operate the software. Let's take a look at just such a recommendation and see how the 'minimums' stack up. (I won't mention the program or the manufacturer but these are actual recommendations from a popular digitizing software. Yours may vary but probably not by much.)

The Computer

Manufacturer recommends: IBM-PC or compatible computer originally equipped with a USB port.

I recommend: The same.

Operating System

Manufacturer recommends: Windows(R) 98, ME, XP or 2000.
I recommend: Windows(R) XP Pro with the latest Service Pack and updates. You might be able to get by with an antiquated operating system but not for long.

Mouse

Manufacturer recommends: N/A

I recommend: Any comfortable, optical, non-rollerball mouse. When doing imaging you cannot attain the precision you need with a rollerball. And an optical mouse means there is no ball on the bottom to catch or jerk at a critical time.

Processor

Manufacturer recommends: Pentium 500 MHz or higher.

I recommend: Pentium class 1 GB or higher. The faster the processor the better. We're imaging, not typing a letter.

Memory

Manufacturer recommends: Minimum 64 MB (256 MB or higher is recommended.)

I recommend: Minimum 512 MB. Memory is cheap and more is always better. You can never have too much.

Hard Disk Free Space

Manufacturer recommends: Minimum 100 MB

I recommend: You'll need 100 MB free to install the software but you're going to need a lot more than that to store your creations. Purchase a hard drive with a minimum of 40 GB, 80 GB or higher is better. A hard disk is like a garage: It collects junk and you rarely clean it out. Give yourself plenty of room for storage.

Monitor

Manufacturer recommends: SVGA (800x600), 16-bit color or higher.

I recommend: 17" SVGA (1024x768), 32-bit color. You're going to appreciate the extra screen real estate from a large monitor, and you'll need to be able to easily differentiate your thread color choices.

USB Port

Manufacturer recommends: USB Ver. 1.1 or higher.

I recommend: USB Ver. 1.1 or higher, 2 or more. Some programs will run only if a card reader/writer is installed. That's one port taken. If your machine accepts input directly from your computer you'll need another port available to send your finished file to your machine.

Printer

Manufacturer recommends: A graphic printer that is supported by your system (only if you want to print your images).

I recommend: A graphic printer. You will want to print your images and the associated thread color data. As a side note: I'm not sure why anyone would have a printer that was not supported by their system.

CD-ROM Drive

Manufacturer recommends: Required for installation

I recommend: The same, but with a minimum twenty-four-speed (24x) drive speed. A higher speed drive is fine, it transfers data faster but it's also a little noisier.

CD-ROM Recorder Drive (RW)

Manufacturer recommends: N/A

I recommend: Once a year or so when you're in the cleaning mood, you'll want to burn your images to CD to reduce clutter on your hard drive and reorganize.

Deciding to purchase machine embroidery digitizing software is just the first step to truly creative embroidery with a personal touch. Get the most out of it by making sure it is happy in its new home.

Digitizer Deb Schneider offers her machine embroidery designs on her website, WindstarEmbroidery.com.

You'll also find Embroidery Thread Conversion Charts and information about embroidery digitizing.

You can email Deb at: dschneider(at)windstarembroidery.com

---

Preserving Thanksgiving Memories for Scrapbooking

Last year our family tried out a new way to... Read More

Simple, and Stylish Wedding Reception Centerpiece: Craft Project

This simple, yet elegant table centerpiece is a great way... Read More

Woodworking Tools: Right Selection And Care Will Save You Money, Part 2

Woodworking: Tools Of The Trade, Part 2 - Tools For... Read More

Collectibles: Searching for those Hard-to-Find Diecast Models

For collectors of any kind, there are always those items... Read More

Genealogy in Switzerland - A Longenecker Family Search

I recently visited Langnau, Bern, Switzerland and spent two days... Read More

Embroidery Stabilizing for Machine Embroidering

Here are some tips to get good results with your... Read More

How To Create A Collage Journal

Creating a collage journal is a unique and fun way... Read More

How to Make Personalized Candle Gifts From Ordinary Candles

If you are looking for a fun gift to make... Read More

Russian Nesting Dolls - The Beginning

According legend, first nested doll prototype appeared in Russia in... Read More

Weaving Photographs and the Use of a Collage to Give Your Scrapbooks Artistic Flare

For more dramatic results from your photographs, trying weaving two... Read More

Baby Boomers Need Creative Practical Hobbies

"Well how are you really enjoying your retirement?" I asked... Read More

Woodworking Tools: Right Selection And Care Will Save You Money, Part 6

Woodworking: Tools Of The Trade, Part 6 - Finishing EquipmentA... Read More

History of Kokeshi Wooden Dolls from Japan

Little is known of the early history of Kokeshi Japanese... Read More

Craft Fairs, Bazaars & Flea Markets?Oh, My!

Many names are associated with events such as these. Craft... Read More

Easy Crafts for Kids - Help with Learning

According to the research on child cognitive development, making use... Read More

Embroidery Sewing Quality of Machine Embroidery Designs

Many new to embroidery have experienced numerous problems because of... Read More

Machine Embroidery Digitizing - What Youll Need Besides the Software

You've purchased an embroidery machine, practiced the designs that were... Read More

The Wonderful Art of Bonsai

The potential for enjoyment of Bonsai trees is enormous. These... Read More

Finding The Best Display Case For Your Treasures

Maybe you have a bunch of collectibles sitting in your... Read More

Choosing The Right Mat Board Colour For Your Art Work

The framing industry has no books, no set theory, not... Read More

Soap Making For Beginners ? Melt And Pour Process

As you will learn, soap making can be simple or... Read More

Coin Collecting ? A Fun Hobby

Over the years, collecting coins has grown from being just... Read More

Sell Hobby Items by Mail

You can, if you are ambitious, start a Mail Order... Read More

Christmas Gifts Kids Can Make

Christmas is a time of giving and receiving. Even kids... Read More

Origami Instructions

Origami is a fantastic art form that guarantees hours of... Read More

Handmade Quilts are Made with Love and Make Great Family Heirlooms!

Today's handmade quilts are more like a work of art... Read More

Jewelry and the Art of Selling

Two of the most frequently asked questions we get at... Read More

The Theme and Title of Your New Scrapbook

The theme of your scrapbook can be simple or complex.... Read More

Woodworking Tools: Right Selection And Care Will Save You Money, Part 5

Woodworking: Tools Of The Trade, Part 5 - Tools For... Read More

I Didnt Know These Are Slowly Destroying My Scrapbooks!

Once you spend your precious time and energy creating a... Read More

Embroidery Basting Frames Use for Stabilizing Designs

Using a basting frame around designs can do a great... Read More

Create A Gift Basket For A Cat Lover!

The choice of what gift to give your family and... Read More

Amish Quilts ? A Dying American Art

Amish quilting has been a tradition for more than a... Read More