The Avancé 1501C comes with Stitch Era Universal, a free online digitizing software for the beginner digitizer. It has most of the features found in Stitch ERA Liberty which is hands down the best digitizing software for embroidery machines. However, the Stitch ERA Universal software has also some limitations that may make upgrading to Liberty the best choice.
An embroidery digitizing software lets you create unique designs, convert patterns to outline stitches and embroider text labels. All these free embroidery digitizing software come with such key features as start and stop, color change, etc. The latest sewing machines support different input file formats. Embroidery Digitizing Software Buyer’s Guide. Digitizing software is a great investment if you want to advance your machine embroidery skills and get the most use out of your embroidery machine. There are a variety of features to consider when selecting digitizing software which will suit your budget and level of experience.
For instance, there is a limit to the maximum stitch number per design at 40,000 stitches, the computer must be connected to the internet while using it, the software window includes advertising, and it has fewer system components compared to Stitch ERA Liberty. Many users have decided to get Stitch ERA Liberty and install Stitch ERA Universal in other computers, as the design files made by Stitch ERA Universal are fully compatible in Stitch ERA Liberty.
Stitch ERA Liberty has been developed for the most demanding designer: powerful and very productive. Even with that power, the easy way to use makes it suitable for every embroiderer that wants to make designs by themselves, who after doing an entertained apprenticeship, will achieve works so impressing as if were made by experts using the best digitizing software for embroidery machines.
Stitch ERA Liberty integrates into the same application, the functionality of embroidery with the functionality of graphic applications. For example, it can work perfectly with pixel (raster) or vector files, vectorize the pixel file to get vector shapes, create new vector forms and process them individually or by blocks (modifying shapes, nodes, combining, etc.) and then use them in the embroidery object creation. All this, without getting out of this unique application.
Stitch ERA Liberty also allows you to create new components when you want to improve your design productivity and at the same time, extend the number of software resources. All are included in Stitch ERA Liberty. You will need no other separate applications to create and process embroidery designs: modify and handle pre-existing expanded designs (edition, scaling, merging, etc.), lettering system, object design, with a complete set of tools and stitch types, raster images, vector images, image processing. This best digitizing software for embroidery machines also handles converting of designs, automatic digitizing, manual digitizing, interactive digitizing, format conversion, component creation, design management, catalog printout, etc.
- Embroidery design viewer
- Machine format conversion
- Design organization on database
- Create embroidery texts
- Merge text with existing designs
- Stitch editing
- Expanded design processing
- Import raster & vector images
- Convert image to embroidery design
- Edit embroidery objects
- Auto-interactive tracing on complex images
- Advanced quality adjustments
- Stitch patterns on complex areas
- Programmable stitches on complex areas
- Elastic programmable stitches on areas
- Flexible fill on complex areas
- Color gradation & color blending
- Stitch objects branching
- and a lot of professional tools
Stitch ERA Liberty includes more synchronized views that present the details of the work under way visually and with a more detailed level. Grouping, branching, 0003sequencing and other advanced functions can be 0003executed simply dragging elements.
New Capture / Digitizing Modes
Completing the set of tools for the automatic and 0003traditional digitizing, Stitch ERA Liberty includes 0003interactive functions for the capture that allow to speed up the process at the same time that the design can be adjusted to the expected result.
Productivity Improvement
Stitch ERA Liberty has numerous functions to re-use the work done. Among them, the stitch pre-definition, embroidery repetitions in combinations, automatic 0003outlines on objects, etc.
Component Creation
Stitch ERA Liberty also allows you to create new 0003components for its later re-use and system resource 0003library expansion, between these: manual patterns, 0003creative patterns, programmable stitches, etc.
Maximum Stitch Control
The Object Inspector includes more adjustments for the precise definition of each section. Also includes new stitch effects (density variation, edge modulation, and so many more). All the properties of each object can be specified precisely.
Available Stitch Types
Stitch ERA Liberty includes the following stitch types.
- Paths with Running Stitch, E Stitch, Programmable Stitches, etc.
- Columns with ZigZag, E Stitch, Elastic Pattern, Elastic Programmable Stitches, etc.
- Areas with Uniform and Creative Patterns, Programmable Stitches, etc.
- Areas with ZigZag, E Stitch, Elastic Pattern, Elastic Programmable Stitches, etc.
- Areas with Appliqué, Textures, Photo Stitches, etc.
But WAIT There’s More!
Joining the Sierra/ColDesi family of products means that you can upgrade to Liberty, and then add Hotfix Era for Stones to create stunning rhinestone designs with your plotter or with our CAMS Automatic Rhinestone Machine. And then you can add Hotfix Era for Sequins to power our ProSpangle spangle transfer machine too. Imagine creating a design that you can sew out on your embroidery machine, then make a rhinestone or spangle transfer!
Contact us today for more information and pricing.
An embroidery digitizing software lets you create unique designs, convert patterns to outline stitches and embroider text labels. All these free embroidery digitizing software come with such key features as start and stop, color change, etc. The latest sewing machines support different input file formats. Photo embroidery digitizing software allows you to convert any design into a stitch file.
Top 8 Free Embroidery Digitizing Software
- Embird – Various hoop types and sizes
- My Editor – Allows previewing embroidery designs in 3D
- Ink/Stitch – Automated installation of Inkscape palettes
- SophieSew – An integrated tool for managing threads
- Hatch – Exports to 22 various file types
- Bernina Artlink – A wide choice of hoops
- Brother Embroidery Software – Over 35 advanced extra features
- TrueSizer – Several colorways and thread matching
Similar to photo scanning software and photo scanning apps, this type of software allows you to scan the embroidery you create and transfer it onto fabric.
If you are not ready to spend money on a premium package or want to test different software, try using free versions. As a rule, they are provided with limited functions that are suitable mostly for beginners.
1. Embird – Our Choice
- Simple to download and install
- Intuitive
- Amazon and Azure cloud storage
- Several thread catalogs
- Photo-realistic 3D preview
- None
Verdict: Embird is an embroidery digitizing software based on a modular design. To access a specific mode or option, you need to purchase the module itself.
Separate modules provide access to such tools like Digitizing, Sfumato Stitch, Cross Stitching, Font Engine and Pre-digitized Alphabets.
If you need a free embroidery digitizer, you can use Embird in the demo mode. Although it has certain limitations, its functionality is enough for digitizing ordinary artworks. The demo mode is available for 2 months, after which you need to upgrade the program to continue using it.
2. My Editor
- Various macros and templates
- Exports files into PNG, JPEG, BMP and TIFF formats
- Allows previewing embroidery designs in 3D
- Impossible to create new designs
Verdict: My Editor free embroidery software is rather intuitive due to a friendly interface. You can use the program to view and modify files, saving them in various formats.
Along with improved tools for managing and creating finished works, My editor has options that enable you to view and save files. With this free embroidery digitizing software, you can work with NGS files. You can view and save them in various formats for different embroidery machines.
Brother Embroidery Digitizing Software Free
The program comes with extra options that allow you to preview designs with different fabrics, resize and rotate them.
3. Ink/Stitch
- Cross-platform
- Intuitive
- Batch export option
- Animated stitch-out preview
- Doesn’t support Linux
Verdict: Ink/Stitch is an extension of well-known vector graphics software. This is a free embroidery digitizing software that allows creating embroidery files with the help of an open-source drawing tool. You can also create stitch files from various SVG designs.
It can convert SVG fills into filled stitch areas and convert SVG strokes into zigzags and lines. Besides, Ink/Stitch offers a tool for creating satin columns from paths with two sub-path lines. You can customize SVG path objects for each of the four stitch types.
This software allows you to import the majority of embroidery formats, re-use and adapt them with the help of the Inkscape’s path tool. InkStitch has options for managing thread colors and projects.
4. SophieSew
- Unlimited version
- Intuitive
- Comes with a great set of basic tools
- For small-scale home-based businesses only
- Occasional bugs
Verdict: SophieSew free embroidery digitizing software offers an object-oriented approach to design. A user starts with simple elements like images and lines, gradually collecting them into more complex and large designs (running stitches, fill areas). Step by step, the user gets a ready work.
SophieSew features various tools, such as duplication, deletion, rotation, re-sizing, etc. You can use them to enhance individual elements, the entire design or several designs at once.
5. Hatch
- Doesn’t require CC verification within 30 days
- Various options
- Useful guides
- Suitable for beginners and professionals
- High-priced after trial
- A bit difficult to use
Verdict: Hatch Embroidery is suitable for beginners and amateurs, as it is designed as an easy-to-use platform. You can use a 30-day free trial option to test the functionality and performance. Hatch Embroidery has many options and tools both for simple and complex designs.
The program is suitable both for novices and advanced digitizers, as it offers manual and automatic digitizing, editing with various layout features, appliqué, resizing, recoloring, multiple hoops, offset contouring, sequencing, monograms, world-class lettering and other functions.
6. Bernina Artlink
- Easy hoop selection
- Slow re-draw displays
- Easy-to-adjust thread colors
- Printable embroidery preview
- No picture digitization
- No text option
Verdict: I recommend this free online embroidery digitizer for beginners. Thanks to the updated version of Bernina Artlink, users can quickly re-size designs and make other adjustments.
With the software, you can reformat your design and download it from your PC to a Bernina embroidery machine. After the update, the program supports Windows 8.1. Besides, its interface was noticeably improved.
It is compatible with Bernina embroidery machines as well as with other brands. There are many features and tools available to you, such as editing designs in Artistic View, previewing color combinations and printing an embroidery preview in its original size. This will help you know exactly if you are using the right colors.
7. Brother Embroidery Software
- 190+ built-in pre-digitized fonts
- Intuitive
- True type font auto option
- A 30-day free trial
Verdict: BES is a universal embroidery digitizing program that will suit any skill-level user.
Here, you can create and correct eye-catching monograms, lettering and borders using the available 145 applique designs, 77 integrated accent designs and 77 built-in borders.
BES is compatible with a Brother embroidery machine and other brands.
The software offers you various tools and options, like adding effects to your designs, aligning designs, changing stitch patterns and previewing new clothing templates to get a sense of how your work will look in reality.
8. TrueSizer
Brother Embroidery Software Mac
Embroidery Software For Brother Machine
- Allows working on multiple designs at a time
- More than 50 templates
- Product visualizer
- The free version is limited
Verdict: TrueSizer is a freemium software as it provides free access to a limited number of features. To use more advanced tools, you need to buy the $99 premium package. You can use one of two available versions: TrueSizer Web for those who travel often or TrueSizer Desktop for PC users.
TrueSizer Web supports both Apple and Android devices. It lets you open and convert files into popular formats without using free image converters. Plus, you can rotate designs, resize, open and save EMB files, view various color schemes.
Brother Embroidery Digitizing Software
However, the software does not allow creating and saving multiple color schemes, changing design colors, using multiple designs, matching threads to color schemes and displaying designs in the hoop.