Machine Embroidery Digitizing - What You'll Need Besides the Software

You've purchased an embroidery machine, practicedor higher is recommended.)
the designs that were included in the package, maybeI recommend: Minimum 512 MB. Memory is cheap and
even bought a disc of designs or downloaded a fewmore is always better. You can never have too much.
designs off the Internet to stitch out. Now you'reHard Disk Free Space
thinking about investing in digitizing software and takingManufacturer recommends: Minimum 100 MB
your embroidery to the next level. But the digitizingI recommend: You'll need 100 MB free to install the
program is just a part of what you'll need beforesoftware but you're going to need a lot more than that
entering the creative world of embroidery digitizing.to store your creations. Purchase a hard drive with a
Choosing the Hardwareminimum of 40 GB, 80 GB or higher is better. A hard
An embroidery digitizing program is image editingdisk is like a garage: It collects junk and you rarely
software capable of converting a digital picture toclean it out. Give yourself plenty of room for storage.
stitches and saving it in a format that can be read byMonitor
your embroidery machine. And, like any robust imageManufacturer recommends: SVGA (800x600), 16-bit
editor, a digitizing program is resource intensive. Thecolor or higher.
program's packaging will state the manufacturer'sI recommend: 17" SVGA (1024x768), 32-bit color.
recommended minimum computer systemYou're going to appreciate the extra screen real
specifications to operate the software. Let's take aestate from a large monitor, and you'll need to be able
look at just such a recommendation and see how theto easily differentiate your thread color choices.
'minimums' stack up. (I won't mention the program orUSB Port
the manufacturer but these are actualManufacturer recommends: USB Ver. 1.1 or higher.
recommendations from a popular digitizing software.I recommend: USB Ver. 1.1 or higher, 2 or more. Some
Yours may vary but probably not by much.)programs will run only if a card reader/writer is installed.
The ComputerThat's one port taken. If your machine accepts input
Manufacturer recommends: IBM-PC or compatibledirectly from your computer you'll need another port
computer originally equipped with a USB port.available to send your finished file to your machine.
I recommend: The same.Printer
Operating SystemManufacturer recommends: A graphic printer that is
Manufacturer recommends: Windows(R) 98, ME, XPsupported by your system (only if you want to print
or 2000.your images).
I recommend: Windows(R) XP Pro with the latestI recommend: A graphic printer. You will want to print
Service Pack and updates. You might be able to getyour images and the associated thread color data. As
by with an antiquated operating system but not fora side note: I'm not sure why anyone would have a
long.printer that was not supported by their system.
MouseCD-ROM Drive
Manufacturer recommends: N/AManufacturer recommends: Required for installation
I recommend: Any comfortable, optical, non-rollerballI recommend: The same, but with a minimum
mouse. When doing imaging you cannot attain thetwenty-four-speed (24x) drive speed. A higher speed
precision you need with a rollerball. And an opticaldrive is fine, it transfers data faster but it's also a little
mouse means there is no ball on the bottom to catchnoisier.
or jerk at a critical time.CD-ROM Recorder Drive (RW)
ProcessorManufacturer recommends: N/A
Manufacturer recommends: Pentium 500 MHz orI recommend: Once a year or so when you're in the
higher.cleaning mood, you'll want to burn your images to CD
I recommend: Pentium class 1 GB or higher. The fasterto reduce clutter on your hard drive and reorganize.
the processor the better. We're imaging, not typing aDeciding to purchase machine embroidery digitizing
letter.software is just the first step to truly creative
Memoryembroidery with a personal touch. Get the most out of
Manufacturer recommends: Minimum 64 MB (256 MBit by making sure it is happy in its new home.