Quilting software

Alison, you ask some very good questions. Yes, they've probably been addressed before, but it's been some time.

The Carol Doak CDs print out using Foundation Factory, but you can't -- as I recall -- "play" with the patterns. That is, you can't try to combine different elements to see how they'll look, you can't put blocks together to see what a quilt will be like, you can't change the colors, etc. For all of that and more you would have to import the blocks into Quilt Pro, a very easy process.

As for whether there is anything in QP that is different from EQ5, I'd say there is. I have both, and I find that each approaches design from a different perspective. I use each for different purposes. EQ5 designs (I'm simplifying a *lot* here) using lines and curves. You put those together to form your pattern pieces. QP designs using shapes (rectangles, triangles, etc.) instead of lines and curves. Again, you put those together to form your patterns.

I find that some patterns lend themselves more easily to one or the other of the two techniques, so having both is definitely not a duplication for me. Your opinion may differ, of course. I also found QP easier to learn, though EQ5 hasn't been impossible. The possibilities in each for design are amazing, and I'm really glad I have both. HTH.

I have to agree with Sandy. I found QP much easier to learn. I have both, QP in edition 3 and EQ 6. I am debating getting the upgrade for QP. I did send them an e-mail asking if their upgrade would be okay with editon 3 and still have not received a reply. Hum... it's been a few days. Would anybody know if the QP upgrade would work with version 3? Thanks

How do you like the new EQ6? I have ordered the upgrade but haven't got it yet...it is always slower getting things across the border.

Allison (with 2 "L"s so don't confuse me with the "one L" one!! ) in Montreal where we finally got some snow to make it look christmas-y

Hi and thanks for the opinions so far...I too have ordered the EQ upgrade...but that was before I looked into QuiltPro and whether it was better or just...different. I have not received mine yet either as I am also in the 'frozen north' or Canada depending on which side of the border you happen to be on..lol

Its intersting that most people I've talked to generally say Quilt Pro has a somwhat gentler learning curve and they like the Windows-like functionality like the right mouse click bringing up menus etc. But I have also heard that saving and recalling projects can be a chore in QP...is that correct? I've also heard that the stash fabrics downloads are free whereas the EQ stash CDs are somwhat pricey.

I am surprised at people having both...I was questioning whether that would be just silly and excessive to take the plunge and buy QP in addition to EQ...but obviously I'm not alone in trying to find program/programs that will cover more bases. More input/opinions both pro and con are most welcome...TIA

1 "L" Alison in Hamilton where it is also now white with snow...and whose chocolate lab puppy is going CRAZY running around in it...

Allis> > I have to agree with Sandy. I found QP much easier to learn. I have both,

Alison with two L, :oD

I haven't really played much with it. I somehow doubt that it's an "upgrade". I now have an Icon for EQ6 and one for EQ5. None of the projects from EQ5 transferred to EQ6 nor any of my additional CD stuff. Hence why I don't think this is an upgrade. Otherwise, why would I have 2 Icons?

It is different. You now have a "quick quilt project" section with the Create a new project startup. In that section you have WH and table runners. I'm still not that familiar with EQ5 and am waiting for my EQ guru, Cheryl from Oz, aka CATS to get her copy so I can piggy back on what she said. lol

Alison with one L, :oD

You can download for free the palette of the month from EQ website:

You also get to vote on the following month's selection. Heck, you don't even have to own EQ to vote. What I think you are referring too are the "special" cds that you can buy that has the fabrics for the year or something. EQ allows you to scan your own fabric. So you could actually create a project with the fabric you have. Not that I think a stash is made to be used, but just in case you have to use fabric from your stash, you have the scanning option.

There are free fabric swatches to download from the EQ site. New ones added each month. I have downloaded a few but generally when I am "designing" with a real quilt in mind I prefer to use solid colours to represent my fabrics. There are lots of other interesting things to explore on their website. There is a design challenge that is fun to look at, not that I have tried one yet (not enought time to do everything, sigh).

I haven't checked out QuiltPro so can't really compare them.

Allison

I "heard" that!!! lol

My copy arrives next week - I hope. I also have an old version of QuiltPro. I like EQ better but that could just be familiarity or the type of work I do. I use the drawing capabilities in EQ for applique a lot, and I find them much better than the older versions of QuiltPro I have seen. I would not consider upgrading QuiltPro because EQ5 does just about everything I want, and I am about to get EQ6 delivered.

The term "upgrade" in relation to EQ6 has been under discussion on the EQ forums and user groups lately. It seems to relate to the fact that if you have earlier versions of the software you can get the new software at a reduced price, rather than loading a software upgrade to your existing program. When you load the so-called EQ6 "upgrade" you get a second icon that links to the new program. I like that I can keep the old program as it means I can still swap files with those that do not have the upgrade. (I currently run both EQ4 and EQ5 but I had to load EQ4 in a different directory myself)

BTW - there is a free fabric pallette posted every month for EQ users on the EQ site, and users even get to vote on what fabrics will be included the following month. Past pallettes are kept available too.

And the EQ Forums are a great source of support for users and teachers NAYY - just a very satisfied customer of EQ. I have one friend out here that just loves her QuiltPro. But I haven't asked her about upgrades in a few years.

I haven't found that saving and "refinding" QP projects is at all difficult, Alison. I don't know why some people would say that, unless they aren't careful about keeping them in a logical place. As for the stash fabrics, QP does post free collections from time to time, and they're nice! However, to be fair, EQ does also, except that they're called palettes.

This is something that QP also allows. I did scan my fabrics for Pawprints on My Heart, and it was fun to see how they'd actually appear in the quilt. However, most of the time I just select something included in either QP or EQ5 to "represent" what I'm planning to use.