My thread box is a good program to use. You can get a trial version to see if you would want to purchase. I also believe that Floriana has a free program. I usually go through the design and choose the colors for the different parts that I want to use. You can look at each part by using the icons in the middle of the screen of pages and arrows. Also there are several yahoo groups you can join that will help you learn to use your machine. I also belong to artisticthreadworks.com embroidery site which has been a tremendous help to me for the past several years. You can sign up for their news letter for free and will be able to get some designs each time it comes out. Kacy