I have to use the Ped basic with my embrodiery machine and I really like it. When I bought my Pedbasic it came with the disk and yes all of your designs have to be in pes form, but there are lots of them out there. There is also two free sights that will reduce the other designs, I just haven't learned to use them yet. I do wish my area was bigger than 4 x 4, but would not trade my machine in for a different one. Hope this helps