EQ - regardless of version - definitely has a learning curve. BUT, if you like designing quilts - or just remaking things you've seen elsewhere - it can be an invaluable tool. I'm still using EQ5 and have had no reason yet to upgrade. I'm not particularly creative but it definitely helps me in re-sizing things or color variants so for that it is very valuable to me. The electronic help section and (if they still provide them) the books are great and will answer most questions fairly quickly.