EQ5 - Users Discussion
 

Do you have and use EQ5? This is the first version of EQ I bought way back in 06. I love mine and even tho I have EQ6 and EQ7 I still prefer to use my EQ5'

This comes with it's own set of problems tho. It is an older version and the newer software doesn't always support the older technology. It still works just has a few bugs in it at times.

Mine won't allow me to open a new project. But I discovered I can open an existing project and save it as a diff project. I delete all the quilts in it and I have a new project to use.

It is a cheaper way to go than putting out the money for the newer version. You can still find people who want to sell the one they have. I bought one for a friend for $30 from a member.

I love how well the program works. I design my quilt blocks on it and then use that to design quilts. I did all of the pictures in my EBooks on it and all of my Sampler quilt alongs on here with it.

I can get lost in it quite easily for hours LOL

I guess everyone has her preferences. I have the Dear Jane software, which is based on EQ5, and I find it much less user friendly than EQ6 or 7.

I have EQ5 and have used it MANY times. I love how I can import actual fabrics that I have. I am able to see what my quilt will look like before I even start cutting. It also tells me how much fabric I will need, and how big the quilt will be. My sister has EQ7 and she hardly ever touches it.

I bought a used copy. The tools are no problem, but some of the commands are weird.

Rhonda,
I have EQ5 and have had it for many years, use it all the time. Have not tried out 7 as I'm happy with the 5.
Brenda

what commands are weird? I'm just curious

I have EQ5 - bought it used from someone here last year. I haven't played with it much so I really don't know much about it. I have a lot to learn!! I also have the Dear Jane software.

I did 23 lessons on using EQ so I bought the EQ6 used and then bought the EQ7 upgrade. I still prefer my EQ5 over the other two.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/tags/electric+quilt.html

I have and use EQ5 as well. Since I probably don't use it to it's full potential, I've not seen the need to upgrade. When I initially re-installed it on my new computer I got some kind of message saying something or other wouldn't work correctly or at all - don't really remember as it's been a few years. But other than the shortcut Icon on my desktop looking funky at first, I haven't had any issues. Am able to open existing or begin new projects; don't seem to have any command issues at all. And now the Icon looks normal. Sorry, can't help offhand with what OS I'm using on the computer it's installed on. Using DH's laptop now and the EQ is on the upstairs desktop.

Having to put everything in that sketchbook. I'd rather have it set up like Layers.

i have used mine so many times, it has paid for itself over and over. i've not found a need to upgrade.

I had some trouble finding this discussion, I wish EQ could a topic on the homepage or at least sticky somewhere that would make it easy to find! I love EQ5 and haven't found a good reason to upgrade, what new features the others offered I just didn't think they would help me that much. If I ever upgrade the computer, I'll probably have no choice!

I'm no designer but love the challenge of seeing a photo of a quilt and being able to come up with a pattern. I have all the EQ5 books(was lucky enough to find them "used" on Amazon when the newer version started coming out) but found what helped me the most was doing the Skylights lessons from the EQ website. I think I downloaded it about a year before they removed it but it helped me learn how to look at a quilt and figure out what the block configuration was. I particularily liked how the Lessons took you from one step of the design process to the next, instead what the books are like that you have jump from this chapter to maybe the end of the book to find what you are supposed to do next. I find that very confusing and very hard to retain what I learned.

Hope everyone will share more what they are doing. Does anyone know how to change PJ5 file to one that could be posted here. Would love to show my latest project! Take care, Chris

I finally got the kinks out of the monthly library that is downloadable off of the EQ website. Has anybody tried using the fabric?? I have yet to find a method for if I am looking for a particular color or print, I can find it quickly rather then having to search thru each month. The only negative comment I can make about EQ is the limitation on the number of blocks used in a border or the number of strips in designing a Bargello. As long as you are the registered owner (and you CAN BE even if you bought it used), the technical support will still answer your questions. But that is what I think this thread is for. Posting your questions and having fellow users being able to help you. Lets all have fun EQing !!!

in EQ5 you can use the export snapshot. this is a little camera icon. Click on it and you will see a magnifying glass with an x in the middle. Position the x over the upper left corner of your quilt. Draw it down to the lower right hand corner and let go. a small menu will pop up. you can click on save to clipboard. then open Paint and click on paste. You'll see Paste or Paste from. Click on paste and it will put your quilt on paint. Click on the menu and then click on save. Make sure you change the file type to jpeg. and save it to a file in your computer.

Thanks, Rhonda! I will give this try. I'm trying to get the quilt cut out for tomorrow's quilt workshop. And since I'm not watching the game(my dh might but not me!) maybe I can try this later. Chris

[ATTACH=CONFIG]460298[/ATTACH]Well, I've learned something new today! Thank you Rhonda!!! It's taken me almost two yrs to get up the nerve to attempt this quilt. In Apr 2012, I had seen a photo of a similar(say that because nothing is exactly)quilt in the Country Sampler magazine. I had posted question asking for help to identify the block, was told that Quilter's Cache had a block called DoubleZ but that block had pinwheel in the center. The quilt I was wanted to make didn't but was told the center block could be the center block from Broken Dishes. So I have decided to call my block Crosses and Broken Dishes. If the block is turned on point, the print fabrics make a cross.


There are 25 pieced blocks and 16 solid and triangles along the edges. I have twelve fabric, three prints of red, blue, green, and brown with off white to finish the pieced blocks. I'm going to repeat each fabric twice with a third repeat in red; and plan to use it in the center of the quilt. The solid block is fabric that is mottled dark gray. I didn't like black with the fabrics but thought the dark gray was a better choice. In the magazine photo, the blocks were done in different colors of polka dot fabric and solid blocks were black.

Hope everyone has a great week ahead. We should be having nice normal weather for a change, last week it was snowing and hard freezes several nights in a row. Take care, Chris

I thought I'd mention, I did get in touch with the lady who the article in the magazine was about, to ask if she knew the name of the block. She didn't know so that is why I thought it was okay for me to name it. If anyone knows what the block might be called please let me know. Would rather call it by the right name! Chris

I have found unless it is a copyrighted pattern you can name it anything you want. You do need to be wary of posting pictures on here of any copyrighted patterns you didn't create.

I do mostly traditional and I gave up long ago on trying to find the names of blocks.LOL

I'm glad you learned something new! I'm always learning new things too. It's a journey with no end thank goodness!! Can you imagine some day saying well I've learned it all? Nothing more to learn! LOL

I do wish there was one big site where you could post a picture of the quilt block and get an answer of what the name is. LOL An image library with a search button would be great!

I just bought an old copy of Blockbase. Haven't figure out how to search. Does anybody have a new version that they could search for Chris48 block. It is really an interesting block. Have you noticed that in the print section you can select to paper piece a block or get rotary cutting direction???

How about Tuxedo Bow Tie. That is what I see !!! Great design !!

I also have the EQ5 and have spent many hours designing patterns, some of which I've actually made. I have never felt the need to get a newer model as this one works very well, thank you. "It ain't broke" Sloane

I recently purchased the new version of BlockBase and couldn't find anything that looked similar. I believe the quilt falls into the category of a three-patch and paid particular attention to those and found nothing but I decided to check Barbara Brackman's Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns; and she does a pattern called the Double Z (pg.389 no 3221) which is not like the one from Quilter's Cache. Barbara's book shows a block like mine but Quilter's Cache shows a block by the same name with a pinwheel in the center.

An interesting bit that I've also learned that a block very similar to the Double Z is pg 161 no 1140a was unnamed-Dakota Farmer 1926 Barbara Frietschie-Grandmother Clark. That is my maiden name and my grandmother was a quilter. I love doing research on things so all this is right my alley!

I understand Rhonda's point about copyright but with so many variations of pattern that are already available; how one person could claim something as their own, is little hard for me to understand. Copyright is so tricky and best left to those who know it. I'm not selling anything so I don't I have much to worry about, or that is what I've been told!

There are strong rules on not posting any copyrighted material on the Quilting Board. I was just mentioning it so noone would get in trouble here.


I also don't always know if what I created is original to me or not for sure. but I usually play it safe and qualify anything I come up with to say as far as I know it is original to me.

Mainly if you are posting a pic of someone else's work make sure you check for copyright restrictions first. Just a precaution so you wont' get in trouble.

Posting your own pic is not what I was refering to.

If anyone has any questions about using your EQ5 don't hesitate to ask. I'm sure there are many members who will help you.

Hi Rhonda
I have a question. How does one send an EQ pattern to another EQ user?? Can it only be sent from EQ5 to an EQ5 user or can I as a EQ5 send it to my friend who just purchase EQ7 for her birthday ??? THANKS

Yes you can. You would send her the file and then she saves it to her computer. then she can open it in her EQ7.

I'm questioning if she will have trouble opening it if she does't have EQ5 and that I don't know for sure. as I have all 3 I can't experiment to find out. The EQ7 will open the file no problem but if she doesn't have the driver for EQ5 installed it may not work.

I'd say try it and see. The EQ people don't know much about the EQ5 anymore because they deem it too obsolete.

OK Rhoda, what file?? I am at a lost. Sorry. Start from the beginning. I know how to export a quilt. Can we go from there ??? THANKS

Okay export your quilt and save it on your computer. this is your "file" Next email her and attach your file to your email.

She will need to import it into her EQ7.

Thanks Rhoda. So you do it just like export a picture of a quilt and then make it an attachment instead of embedding it into an email. Do I save it as a BMP file?? Normally I send pictures out as JPEG. HOPE they change that default in EQ6 or EQ7.

this is the way i do it... i have my quilt design showing in the design pane. then i go to file/send mail. your PJ5, [PJ6, or PJ7 for later versions] file is now attached in your blank email... just fill in the send to and write your note to the recipient about your quilt design. hope that helps. i don't have to export anything or save it as bmp or jpg. i only export as bmp if i want to save the picture of it to post on the board, for instance.

I have just bought the Dear Jane EQ software and am also fairly underwhelmed by it. I am about a third of the way through the quilt, I am making the blocks quite happily by myself but really wanted to be able to make a virtual design wall. I thought I would be able to do so with this software but it looks like it will take me longer to import all my fabrics and apply to each block than it will to finish the actual quilt itself. I'm thinking I may have wasted my money here.

So glad I stumbled upon this forum thread! I purchased a used EQ5 recently and I am having fun playing! I am fairly computer challenged, so I am trying to go through the lessons. I am having trouble locating my files though....I save everything to the sketchbook, and I click the save icon as well....but sometimes when I open the sketchbook, it says their are no quilts saved....my other frustration is finding a particular fabric that I have downloaded from EQ site without scrolling thru every month.

Oh my. I've had mine (EQ5) for a very long time. Each time I go into it I get so frustrated!!! My brain does not work like everyone else's. I know everyone loves this and I want so badly to get it going. I should be retiring in 3 months - planning on jumping into it full fledged and determined to conquer. I plan on going through your tutorial - think I have hope? Wish you were my neighbor.

LOL I often wish I could show things in person instead just online.

I have been having trouble with files that say no quilts also. Unfortunately the new technology doesn't support EQ5 real well and that creates these problems. I have found in the past when this happens if you wait awhile you can access that file again. but as to how long to wait can't tell you.

Cindy if you want some help just let me know. I'll be happy to walk you through it if need be.

Yes, I agree with the frustration of trying to find a particular fabric scrolling thru all the months. I have been thinking of a way to make it easier. Don't know if a cheat sheet would be the best on an index card. You can always save fabrics to your own personal library. I have yet to find out how to copy my old personal fabric library over from my old EQ4 program. Until I can resolve that issue, I don't want to save any fabrics to my own EQ library (called User library).

I have never had the problem with saving a quilt into the sketchbook unless I had a Window error occur. I would suggest when you save a quilt, also save the project (tab file select save). You can always try to save to the sketchbook again and it will give you a message that the quilt has already been saved. Please post any other problems you have because even I have have gaps in what I know of EQ5 and we can all share with what we know.

sorry Gail I don't know anything about the Dear Jane software. Maybe someone else will have some experience with it.

MQ if your original fabric from 4 is saved in a file on your pc you can import them into your 5 pallette.

Well, I've had to go and upgrade to V.7 but not by choice. My computer was starting to fade away and had to replace it but EQ5 was not going to work on a Windows 8 computer! Just thought I'd share where I found the software at a very good price even with postage. On www.marvelouscreations.com they do not mention that they sell EQ on the website but do on their Facebook page, their tel no is listed on both places so it was well worth the telephone call. Marv was very nice, even checked to make sure that there was another version coming out since it had been a while since 7 had come out. He was told that there was not another update because the company is working on a Mac version. I couldn't have asked for better customer service and will be checking with them before ordering other products! Now to a question, is there a sub group for V.7?