I purchased a 730 Artista that came w/ lots of embroidery designs...
What type of files am I using...art??or something else?? I have been looking at software on ebay..what I would like to do is design my own and then make them...what should I be looking at??? :shock: :shock: :shock:

If you purchase designs, you want them to be compatible with either ART or PES formats.

And as for designing your own, I have no idea. However, I do know that you can buy Bernina digitizing software. A couple of my friends have it and they have made some fabulous designs....

Have fun :wink:

Congratulations on your new machine
I would go back to Bernina dealer where you bought it and ask
Our Bernina has clerks ready to answer questions :thumbup:

I don't know what format it takes, it should tell you in your owners manual. I would, if I were you, go back to where you bought it and talk to them also. They should have the digitizing program that goes along with your machine.

I have the artista 640 and I use explorations. Mine doesn't have the digitizing program tho.

Call a Bernina dealer and ask about the V5 software, I believe you can digitize with it. It runs about $1500 tho.

This website should help you with what software you need.

http://www.embroideryonline.com/index.aspx

The manual for my embroidery machine didn't tell me what formats my Brother would use so when I found out I wrote it right into the manual, no more trying to figure it out for me. Good luck finding a software.

Your 730 will use the ART files. Version 4 probably. As for digitizing your own designs, you will need to buy the Bernina programs (which will run close to 2K by the time you buy all the parts to the program that you need.) I have Explorations, which is a program put out by OESD (Oklahoma Embroidery Supply Co.) It has several levels. I bought the 1st level for $250.00. This allows me to manipulate designs...I can break apart existing designs and us pieces of them to make my own designs or I can design my own stuff by resizing, adding letters, etc. I can add extras to this program whenever I want and can even get a digitizing program to go with it. I just wanted to make sure I enjoyed that part of the machine prior to dropping that much cash on the Bernina program.

sandpat, I have the same thing you do except I have a few of the extras, and I'm happy with it.

i've been doing a little research on embroidery software and i've found what i think i want to get. it's called Embird. if you google it, you'll find it a few places. it's less than $150 (waaaaaayyyyy cheaper than most) and the ladies on my embroidery board really speak highly of it.

now to wait and see if i've been good enough for Santa to bring it (or the money for it) to me!

ETA - there's a free 30 day trial available for Embird.

Yes, it is cheaper, but... it is very hard to learn! I have it too, and still have only figured out a few things on it, and I've had it going on two years now.

I do love the sew simulator tho! My explorations is easier to use.