Need info on Explorations vs Embird?

[ElaineR]

Hello all! I am new to your forum but have enjoyed reading all the posts and info. I have a Bernina Artista, and would love to get a wonderful new software, especially lettering, but I also would like to be able to edit designs. I am wondering which of these programs are the easiest to use? and if any one has them, what they may love or hate about them.
Thanks ahead, E

[Pedal Pusher]

Welcome E.........

We have discussed this issue alot. If you do a search on Embird you will see all the threads where we have talked about the different softwares.

I have Embird and I love it. I always suggest to anyone looking to buy it that they download the free trial version and try it out. There is nothing better than test driving it for free.

Let me know if you need any help with it.

aka Donna

[Sew 'N Sane]

Hello all! I am new to your forum but have enjoyed reading all the posts and info. I have a Bernina Artista, and would love to get a wonderful new software, especially lettering, but I also would like to be able to edit designs. I am wondering which of these programs are the easiest to use? and if any one has them, what they may love or hate about them.
Thanks ahead, E

Elaine,

You're in luck! I actually own both Explorations and Embird and I have found that I really prefer to use Embird.

I bought the true type font addition, and with all the free fonts that I downloaded, I now have over 600 fonts to choose from when doing lettering.

I haven't done much in the way of editing designs, so I haven't really played with that feature on Embird yet, but I have used it on Explorations with great success.

Both programs have the pluses and minuses, but in the end, I LOVE Embird.

:p

[ElaineR]

Thank you Donna and Susan. I hope to have time to look into Embird soon. I really want to have more options with lettering. Thanks again!
E

[idesign]

I have both, too. If I had to start with only one, I would choose Embird. Explorations is a lot of fun though, and I use it all the time for applique, and to see how my designs will look on the garment. Get both if you can swing it! LOL

Carol

[Emma]

If your Bernina uses .ART format though, Embird will be useless for you really.
I speak from Experience lol

[ElaineR]

Emma, I have never used anything except pes. format. I don't even know what .ART is? It is just one of the formats on the list. I have purchased CD designs and things off the internet, and have always purchased pes. format. I use the Amazing Box to put the design from the internet or CD to the card that goes into my Bernina. Maybe the newer Bernina's use .Art, I don't know, but thank you for the info , just in case, so I appreciate it. E

[ElaineR]

You are dreaming for me Carol, are they really both so good and yet so different? They sound wonderful! Do you have the basic Embird and also the Lettering Font engine software? How lucky you are!
E

[Emma]

Thats ok, I just own a bernina that runs on ART format, and have had serious issues with it, (to the point im buying a new machine). Embrid won't change/save any design into .ART, so basically for me, it was utterly useless.

[idesign]

You are dreaming for me Carol, are they really both so good and yet so different? They sound wonderful! Do you have the basic Embird and also the Lettering Font engine software? How lucky you are!
E
I only have the basic Embird, because I already own Janome Digitizer Pro, and Monogram Wizard Plus and Studio and Font Engine would duplicate those. I find Embird basic is my workhorse program, Explorations the most fun and creative. I always use Monogram Wizard Plus for lettering, and when I absolutely have to make a design of my own from scratch, I use my Digi Pro.

I bought the programs over time--started with Janome's first digitizing program back in 1998 and upgraded. Our hobby is an expensive one!

Carol