I have had all three EQ5,6,7. I didn't like not being able to easily scan prints to scale with EQ5; but that may have just been user error. It's not that I couldn't get them scanned there...just not anywhere near close to scale to represent color correctly. I also tried downloading fabric images (choose bmp for type) from Joann's & directly from mfr., but most were scanned at such a small size they too didn't always "read" well for color. I haven't used my EQ7 yet, but hear "that area" is much improved from reviews.

I am also counting on EQ7 to allow more mixed-block sizes in a quilt fitting together, meaning if I don't want all equal sized blocks, but using some squares, some rectangles, etc. If anyone using EQ7 knows, I would appreciate the feedback as well.

Cheapest design tool is to use MS-Word, they have a "Shapes" menu under "Insert". Depending on your version of word, start a new page, then "Insert/shapes" the list should pop up, choose Basic area to find squares, triangles, diamonds, hexagons, tumblers (trapezoid), circles, ovals, etc. In order for them to snap together tightly, find "Page Layout/Align" then you can look down the align list click grid settings...in more recent versions (of Word) you have a couple of choices: snap to grid or snap to "other objects", choose the "snap to other objects" for your shapes to line up perfectly. If you want to add colors to your shapes, click on the shape & then click format, the "shape fill" bucket should show up letting you pick any color to fill the shape with.

Copy all the plain (unfilled) blocks you want before you add color. Rotate works easily as well. You can even select a couple of objects or a whole row & then select Group to easily copy rows if you are duplicating repeats. I may start a thread on this for those who may want a simple color auditioning tool with shapes, & can't afford other design software.

It certainly will NOT help you figure the yardage, but you could print a design (like a 1-page whole quilt), then print each individual shape to scale on cardstock. Then using an "Add-a-quarter ruler" trace the 1/4" (or more) seam allowance around the shape & cut these out on the newly drawn seam allowance line as a template.

Sorry this is such a long post. Just a freebie for most.

someone else recommended Excel...here's the post:

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-105549-1.htm

cabinfever wrote: I am also counting on EQ7 to allow more mixed-block sizes in a quilt fitting together, meaning if I don't want all equal sized blocks, but using some squares, some rectangles, etc. If anyone using EQ7 knows, I would appreciate the feedback as well.

This is one of my problems too. I would like to find how to lay out all sorts of sizes and shapes in ONE quilt, then figure out how much background & sashing I will need. I have several panels that have odd size complimentary blocks and I did one on my desitn wall, had to change it several times, and it would have been nice to do it on my EQ7. I am a visual learner, and need someone to "show me"..
So, if you can help, PM me and I would be so grateful. I plan to call Penny McMorris as suggested by Iamquilter.
Thanks.

Yes, it is if your into making up your own designs get the EQ7, it can do a lot more. You can add your own stash to your own library and use that to draw your own templates and see what it will look like before you cut anything. Also it will do all the math for you. I bought one last year and I love it. It helped me a lot because I can use my own stash to see my quilt before I even start to cut it. It's worth the money.

Last year Quilt-Pro Systems brought out a major upgrade of Quilt-Pro for Windows (version 6). The current version for the Mac is still 5. They told me that Quilt-Pro Version 6 for Macs is under development and will be introduced some time this year, but they would not give me any time frame for it.

While they do have reduced prices on their upgrades, if you are not in a hurry and are "pinching pennies", then you may wait to for the release of the new version.

I have EQ5 and LOVE it. I want to get EQ7 because I enjoy making very complex paper piecing designs and EQ7 will give me more flexibility. I am interested in selling my EQ5. I have all the original software disks, packaging, owner manual (detailed) and a quick start book. Please e-mail me privately if you are interested. I have a pay pal account to make payment easy and safe for you. Thanks.
Johanna in WI
[email protected]

Our quiltiing Guild had a lady come in and do a show on it last Tuesday and I want it as well but was told that if you are new to computers or quilting the wizzard is the best to get. So it is up to you.

I forgot to say: There are videos at the EQ website. I found watching them very useful and then looking in the manual after the video. It is great-design quilt, blocks, get cutting instructions and fabric amounts. Great program!

Quite frankly, I like EQ5 best. I have both and 6 and 7, but go back to 5 when I really want to do something. Buy it used and upgrade later on. They have some classes on EQ University that you can take to learn easier. The book is well written as well. Post an ISO here and see who might be willing to sell theirs. I can't because if I lose my harddrive again, I can't install 6 or 7 without 5 first. Good luck and it will open a new world for you.

You don't need EQ6 on your hard drive in order to use the upgrade version of EQ7. You just need the serial/license number for your registered copy of EQ6.

So in case your hard drive crashes again - and I really, really hope it never happens - you don't have to load EQ5, then install the upgrade to EQ6 and then install the upgrade to EQ7.
http://www.electricquilt.com/Support...sp#Upgradeonly

Just saying. ;-)

I have EQ and I do use it, but I really don't think it's worth the money or at least, it hasn't been for me. I have a friend that loves hers, so I guess it's just depends.

I did find this site. It's an online design software. You can try it for free and if you like it, you can subscribe for $9.99 per year. Plus you can cancel at any time. I should have tried something like that before I bought the EQ.

http://www.quiltingstudio.com/

Oh my that is beautiful. I just ordered EQ7 can't wait for it to get here.

If I sold my copy of 5 or 6, then I can't upgrade to 7.... I don't own that registration number any longer!

Yeah, well, technically.

But it you had already upgraded to EQ6, then you would still need your copy of EQ5 for any reinstalls (hard drive failures, new computers, etc.) as the upgrade looks for EQ5 on your hard drive. So you really couldn't sell it.

If you've upgraded to EQ7, then the software for the prior versions DOES NOT have to be installed when upgrading, but a valid EQ6 license/serial number must be entered. And it checks back with the EQ mothership.

But the way it works in the real world is that the person who bought your EQ5, should you decide to sell it, wouldn't be able to upgrade to EQ6 or EQ7 by using that EQ5 serial number. Most of the secondary EQ5 sales going on here and on eBay come with that understanding (that the upgrade has already been used, or will be used, by the original owner).

The secondary sales of EQ6 are bit more involved. If it's the upgrade, then you have to sell it with the EQ5 disks (unless the buyer already has EQ5 installed).
For either version (new or upgrade), you'd have to have remaining activations. And the new buyer could not upgrade to EQ7 if you already had. And all of that would have an effect on the price.

Not making any ethical judgments. Just saying.

I've had EQ since EQ was MSDOS only. Still have EQ on floppy discs but no floppy disc drive on computers anymore. LOL. If you registered the software when you bought it the EQ website has your registration number stored. EQ5 I think was the last version you had to manually register. EQ7 is downloaded online. You can have it on any two computers at one time and download as many times as you want. If you have EQ5 you don't need it to install EQ7, the upgrade won't work from EQ5 to EQ7, only from EQ6 to EQ7.

However, I do vaguely remember some talk about special pricing to upgrade from EQ5 to EQ7. It was more than the upgrade from EQ6 but less than the cost of new copy of EQ7.

If you happen to be in that situation, check with EQ for details. ;-)

You don't need EQ5 to install 6 or 6 to install 7. I deleted EQ5 completely before installing 6. I have 6 installed on my desktop and have 7 installed on two different computers. Not one time was I informed to install the other versions to get the new version installed.

Interesting.

My hard drive was replaced last fall (I'm still in mourning) and I'm pretty sure I had to reinstall EQ5 to use my upgrade to EQ6 CD. No EQ7 involved on that PC.
Yeah, I just checked. I did install it.

I guess I didn't even think to try to install 6 without 5. Hopefully, there won't be a next time to check to see if it works.

And there's this:
http://www.electricquilt.com/Shop/EQ6/EQ6upgrade.asp

Have you checked out the EQ7 upgrade from EQ5. All you have to do is click thru from the EQ website, they will send you the EQ5 to EQ7 price, they offered me a book as a bonus! Hope this might help.
http://www.electricquilt.com/Shop/EQ5toEQ7.asp

EQ has an upgrade offer currently for EQ5 users to go directly to EQ7, with a book thrown in to boot. Click through to email from EQ: http://www.electricquilt.com/Shop/EQ5toEQ7.asp

JoannaF already sold her EQ5 - the sale thread was up for a few minutes and then.....GONE. ;-)

I had to install 5 first (get new disks from EQ because I couldn't find mine), then 6 and then 7. Couldn't skip a step since all were upgrades. I started with 3 or 4 and have upgraded each time there is a new version out.

EQ5 is great as a standalone program and a learning program. No, you wouldn't be able to reregister it in your name if you bought used and wouldn't be able to upgrade from it. But, I still think it is the best program for quilting design out there. Probably would think 7 is best if I had time to really learn it. Anyway, all three are on my computer and are working just fine. I recommend you spend the money and buy whichever version you can and enjoy it.

Please see my post upthread.
If you have EQ7(even as an upgrade), you only need the license number from your copy of EQ6 (and that can be from an upgrade version as well). It does NOT have to be installed on your hard drive to install the upgrade EQ7.

I hope you never need to do a reinstall, but if you do, you can just install the EQ7 (and supply the EQ6 number when prompted).

HTH.

I did an ISO post to the board the other day and received two replies - one for an EQ5 and the other for an EQ7. I just finished the transaction to buy the EQ5 from a board member here!! After looking at the various versions I decided that 5 had everything that I needed so why spend the extra $$.

Can't wait to get it!!

Enjoy it! Glad you got a good deal.

And you can spend a couple/few years playing around with it before you "feel" you might need more, whatever more is. EQ9 might be out by then. ;-)

Here in Australia it is well over $200 to buy it but I got mine before they went into the shops for your$189 Australian, I say it is well worth the money as I have used both EQ6 & EQ7 a lot since getting them. You can scan your fabric into the computer and print it out where I wish it to be( good before cutting good fabric)

I just lost my reply. But the bottom line is, It is worth every penny. My advice, buy it new, EQ7, register, then have a really good time. Designing my own quilts is now hassle free. I failed 7th grade art, can hardly draw a stick person. Don't have to worry about making expensive poor fabric choices now.

I have the Quilt Design Wizard also. It does fine for me.

Absolutely love mine. Got it at allbrands.com. Do a search separately for a coupon code and you can usually get a few more dollars off

Honestly - I like Quilt Pro better. It is a little cheaper, and I find it much easier to work with. Most of the short comings of the program have been solved in the newest version.
They have other programs on that website as well that are not as complicated and cost a little less. Check them out
WWW.quiltpro.com

When you purchases a used EQ, ask how many times it has been installed. The older version could only be installed 3 times. But, I think they have changed some of that. The person you are purchasing it from has to take it off their computer and call or email the company and give them the serial # and your name, then you can put it on your computer and even purchases upgrades as they come out. Also, if you have the serial #, you can call the company and see how many upgrades are left. If it goes on the same computer, I don't think it uses up your installments. But, check as they had changed a lot of things in the last few months.
Virginia in TX