Machine Embroidery Experts, I have a question.......
 

I have just started to build my library of embroidery files on my computer. My problem is that its difficult to manage because after I store them I cant really tell what they look like stitched out. Is there a software package out there that I can purchase that will show something like "thumbnails" when I open my folders? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated !!! Thanks in advance.

I'm not by far an expert but I have the Viking Ruby and it came with a baseline software package and when I save my files with it I can see what they are. I download them all into an orders file and then separate them into folders; like holidays and then I put in sub folders for what the holidays are like Easter. I have folders for kids, decor, etc. I'm not sure what machine you have or if you got any software but if you do a search on this board I think there are a few free base line programs out there and emblibrary.com recommends embrid for storage and a whole lot more. I hope this helps. It's such a learning process and sometimes it's by trial and error to find out how to fix your problems with embroidery. I've been trying since Christmas to do free standing lace using the cone polyester thread without breaking all the time and it's taken me until this past weekend to finally get it right. Now maybe the next time I can finish a project on time. Of course I can now finish the Christmas ornaments and Easter baskets for next year and I'll be a head of the game. Let me know if I can help you at all and I'll do my best to try.

Thank you Judy for all the info. My machine is a Babylock Ellisimo. When I get home tonight I will go through all the literature that came with it to see if there is something there for me to use. It could be there and I just missed it. Thanks again for the help !! Kim

Have a look at Embird, it is a long time since I purchased my embird, but I think once you buy one of the add one you are then able to see your designs, sorry I can't be of more help but go to secrets of embroidery. Com and ask

Hi Kim, I bought the Ellisimo new a year ago and it didn't come with any software. I don't think they changed that with the new Gold version. I think there are some pretty inexpensive packages out there that you can buy that will do what you need.

Are you a member of any of the Brother Quattro or Babylock Ellisimo groups on Yahoo? If not, you might want to join. I belong to three of them and the members are pretty informed (not me though :) ). There is one group that won't allow brand names to be mentioned but the group policies will indicate that.

Cathy

Embroidery Library just had an outstanding tutorial on how to organize designs. I use that format because I like to be able to see what the design will look like. I use the categories that are used at that website, and have subfolders for individual designs.

I always print the color sheet before I embroider a design, and file it in a notebook. I make notations on it to reflect thread colors that I use, in case I want to repeat the design.

Here's the link to the tutorial: http://www.emblibrary.com/EL/elproje...oductID=PR1735

Wanda, thanks for posting this. I didn't know that you could save the picture of the design. Since I buy a lot of designs from emblibrary, this will be so much easier than how I've been viewing the designs.

I also love this site and buy alot from them. I wanted to let you all know that one thing that I have learned is depending on the format you download your color sheets may be off. At first I downloaded all of mine as HUS; Viking but I was noticing the colors weren't so true showing up on my machines screen so I download them as VP3 also Viking and they are more true then. I went back and redownloaded them all as VP3 for future use.

Romanojg, I use sewiconz software from www.sandscomputing.com It will show all formats of designs and also clipart.
I love having it on my computer.
Jessie

The problem wasn't on my pc it was on the embroidery machine screen; the colors weren't showing up as on the color sheet. My machine came with the baseline 5D embroidery program and it shows all formats and my machine supports many if not all of them. I had just noticed that the color icons for the threads weren't as true in HUS format. I was also getting ready to post here for those who are interested here is a link for a free software for embroidery. I don't know how good it is or how much functionality it has but I had gotten the link from here a while back but I'm getting ready to check it out. Later on after my machine is paid down more and I have the time to take the classes I want to get the big 5D package so that I can learn how to manipulate the designs and make them the way I want them. Right now my schedule won't fit anymore classes into it but later on this year it's going to happen. Here's the link;
http://www.freesierrasoftware.com/

Thanks for your link as well and I'll check it out.