Tech information about acessories/software, please?

Hi,

My wife bought a Bernina Deco 650. She wants me to investigate the world of embroidery software for her. Looking at packaging does not help.

Could someone tell me what a magic box does, what it requires, why rewritable cards come in CD jewel cases but are probably not CD's, how does it connect to pc, what does connecting to pc allow you to do? Are Simplicity, Brother and Bernina accessory/software products compatible?

What is the most cost efficient way to proceed?

Please don't be afraid to use technical computer terms, I'm thoroughly familiar with those, but know nothing about embroiery machines and their aaccessories and software.

Thank you, Kelwin

Reply to
Kelwin Delaunay
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you might look and also ask questions at alt.binaries.crafts.pictures Most of this group is into the embroidery and there are some real savy computer people there.

Reply to
sewing_crazy

I'm not the most computer savvy but here's what I know.

I have a Brother PC7500 which uses a rewritable card for the designs. The rewritable card did come in a CD jewel case with a little insert to hold it steady. I think this is because jewel cases are a common product and not so small that you'd loose it.

I use an Amazing Box which is the same thing as a Magic Box. It is the device in which you put the rewritable card and use it's software (which comes with it) to tell it which designs you want and it puts the design info on the card. The card then goes in your embroidery machine so the machine can stitch the design. My card holds 6 designs at a time. When you but the magic or amazing box a card comes with it (at least mine did) The rewritable cards are small - about 1 x 1 1/2" The Amazing (Magic) Box connects to your computer (I think in one of the serial ports in the back - I know mine isn't in my USB port) When you buy the Amazing or Magic Box you get the box itself, a rewritable card, the cord to connect to your computer and the software you need for the program.

I also use Embird. It is the most cost effective program (and an easy to use excellant program) With Embird I can change design format. ie: you download a freebie design of the net but it is HUS format. My machine takes PES. Embird can change the design into the correct format for my machine. It also can resize the design, add text, merge 2 designs into 1, split off pieces of designs - lots of stuff. You can download a free, fully functional trial version of Embird off the net (I forget their web address but a google search should hit it pretty fast) If you like it you can buy it and they email you serial #'s you install.

There are lots of other software out there for resizing, reformating etc but really - Embird does all of that for a skinny fraction of the price.

There are untold # of embroidery sites on the internet. Some

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offer thousands of free designs for download (that site also has links to tons of other sites) Some sites sell their design packs and offer some free designs so you can try out their work (not all digitizers are the same - some offer superb products some not so much)

Some people trade designs they have purchased but this violates the copyright of the designs.

If your wife hasn't done machine embroidery before she also will have to learn about stabalizers.

I check this board a couple times a week. If you have more questions I'll do my best.

What I'd do if I were you. Surf - go to annthegran's site - look over the designs and dowload some. Lots of embroidery sites have a tips or FAQ section (hope you have high speed). When you have a stock of designs download the Embird and play with it (you get 30 days) Embird has free tutorials to download as well. After you've poked around you'll probably have more questions.

Also, most embroiders are really nice. I've asked some embarassingly dumb questions and generally people are too kind to make an issue of it.

Have fun. Kelly

Reply to
Kelly - sewing

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found this site helpful.

5 foot 2
Reply to
5 foot 2

I have a Brother emb machine and a Pfaff 7570. I also have PE Design 5, Magic Box and PES2Card3. IMHO the PES2Card3 is the best deal of the lot. PED5 will only write pes format, Magic Box only 6 designs per card but the PES2Card3 will write at least 20 designs per card and in almost any format for any embroidery machine. Just type in PES2Card3 on Google and you can read about it. Also, Magic Box will not save from a card to the computer but PES2Card 3 will (except Disney - of course). Brother and Bernina Deco both use pes format but I'm not sure about Simplicity. Hope this helps............Lynne

Reply to
Lynne

Thank you very much :-) Kelwin

Reply to
Kelwin Delaunay

Thanks to all for your replies. Got lots of investigating to do.

Kelwin

Reply to
Kelwin Delaunay

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