Thursday, January 6, 2011

Embroidery Software Comparison

PLEASE Click HERE for Updated Comparison Information!!


I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and a nice start to 2011! It's been busy over here at AKDesigns Boutique :)

Have you ever thought, "What Embroidery Software is best?", "Which Monogramming Software is best?", or "What's the difference between Embird and SewWhat Pro?". If not, you must already have embroidery software that you're happy with.

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Because there are so many new embroidery machines purchased every day, there's no shortage of those looking for easier, faster, better ways to get their embroidery tasks completed. So, I thought I would put together an
Embroidery Software Comparison document because I get asked the questions above so often. One of the reasons I didn't do it sooner is because the task seemed fairly daunting. First of all, I only sell 3 embroidery programs and there are so, so many on the market to choose from. So, I decided to only include the programs that I sell in my comparison [sorry]. Second, there are so many features in all embroidery software programs that aren't necessarily included in the "Features" list that I was scared that I would leave out an important feature and make someone upset with me. So, if you see something listed incorrectly, please let me know so that I can get it updated :)

Another thing to consider: There are a lot of users that have Monogram Wizard Plus In ADDITION To SewWhat Pro OR Embird because the features are so different.
Download the PDF
Embroidery Software Comparison



I copied the contents of the PDF file below, but it didn't transfer very well, so it's probably best to download and print the PDF file above.


Embroidery Software Comparison
Please Read First ~ This document is not meant to replace your research of each embroidery software option that is available to you. This is just a quick list meant to help with determining which software program might best fit your needs now and in the future. The list of features provided is not a full list of features for any of the embroidery programs.

SewWhat Pro & Embird are both embroidery software programs that are primarily used to combine, edit, and resize purchased designs [designs purchased on the internet - like mine, and your local sewing center].

Monogram Wizard Plus is monogramming software that is used to primarily to build names and monograms using the built-in alphabets & motifs or the alphabets that are sold separately that are made specifically for MWP. One of the great things about this program is that they made it so that the letters can be made almost any size [small to large] - this makes it very versatile. At the same time, you are limited to the fonts that they include and sell - they have a lot of nice fonts and basic fonts, but certainly not everything you will ever want or need.


Feature
SewWhat Pro Embroidery Software
Embird Embroidery Software
Monogram Wizard Plus Monogramming Software
Offer Free Trial
YES
YES
YES
Combine/Merge
YES
YES
YES - Only for Alphabets & Motifs that come with MWP ~ unless you have the *Extended Features Pack
Design Editing
YES
YES
Change Stitch Order
YES
YES
Move Designs
YES
YES
Resize Designs
YES
YES
Center Designs
YES
YES
Mirror Designs
YES
YES
Rotate Designs
YES
YES
Density Adjustment
YES
YES
Pull Compensation / BOLD
No
YES
Design Splitting
YES
YES
No
Align Designs
No
YES
No


Includes Pre-Digitized Alphabets for virtually limitless sizing

No [this is what SewWrite will help with]

No [this is what the Embird Pre-DigitizedAlphabets will help with]
YES - this is what MWP is best at
File Types Supported:
Convert From = Open
Convert To = Save As
PES, EXP, SEW, JEF, JEF+ and DST
Sewing Similator
YES
YES
No
Create Designer 1 Floppy Disks [SHV format]
YES
YES
No
Use any TTF [True Type Font to create lettering
YES - not easy to get settings correct, but can be done
Nounless you purchase the *Font Engine
No
Provides Photo Realistic 3D Preview
YES - not as good as Embird
YES
No
Free Tutorials available?
YES - Available on SewWhat Pro website & the User Manual is helpful. Plus, I’ve put together some basics
YES - Available on the Embird website
click here & the User Manual is helpful. Plus, I’ve put together some basic instructions
[it needs some updating, but it should help J]
The User Manual is about all you need
Add-Ons Available for Future Needs?
They offer other products that compliment SewWhat Pro, but not add-ons for SewWhat Pro.
YES - Pre-Digitized Alphabets, *Font Engine, Embird Digitizing Studio, Embird Cross Stitch and Sfumato Stitch
YES - Alpha Paks and *Extended Features Pack


*Extended Features Pack is an add-on for Monogram Wizard Plus that gives you more versatility. It allows you to import external designs [designs and fonts not created by MWP - like mine]. For example - you can import one of my font frames, then build a monogram or name inside of it very easily. The only thing it doesn't allow is resizing - whatever you import has to be the exact size you plan to stitch because you can't resize it once it's imported.


*Font Engine is an add-on for Embird that allows you to convert any TTF [True Type Font] to embroidery stitches.


Still a little confused and need a recommendation?
Features Needed:

  • Easy to use
  • Use with downloaded fonts & designs
  • Applique
Recommendation: SewWhat Pro
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Features Needed:
  • Use with downloaded fonts & designs
  • Applique
  • Add-on features that can be purchased later if needed [Font Engine, Digitizer, etc.]
Recommendation: Embird 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Features Needed:
  • Need software that makes building names and monograms fast and easy
  • Great for monogramming shops
  • NOTE: To use with downloaded fonts & designs you must also purchase the Extended Features Pack and those fonts & designs cannot be resized.
Recommendation: Monogram Wizard Plus 
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Please e-mail me at CustomerService@AKDesignsBoutique.com if you have any questions about this document or if you find any information that is not correct so that I can update it.



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6 comments:

  1. Thank you so much. This really helps. I am getting ready to buy a program and wasn't sure which one I wanted. You have helped me so much!!

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  2. Being new to the whole embroidery business thing, I appreciate what you've shared.

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  3. so i am new to embroidery and i bought a Husqvarna machine and it comes with its own software. do i need to purcahse additional software, such as what is listed in this article, to do what i need to do? it seems the software included does what you have listed but just wondering...

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  4. Hi! I'm not sure about the features that your software has. You probably don't need additional software, but you will know if you do :)
    Thanks,
    Angie

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  5. Do you or SewWhatPro have a tutorial to get the settings right for true type fonts?

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    Replies
    1. Hi! There's a SWP Yahoo Group that's very helpful and I know that I've seen posts that include settings for some of the popular TTF's. Here's the link - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SewWhatEmbroiderySoftware/?yguid=257449927. If you can't find what you're looking for, you can post a question. Have fun! ~Angie

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