ep4

[robbieseibert]

I recently bought a used (only had a few hours) ep4. It came with the DesignShop software.
1) I am having trouble with my embroidery files - if I transfer files in .jef or .dst format to a usb stick they usually work. But if I transfer from the computer to the ep4 - parts of the design are shifted out of alignment. It will look ok on the computer but transfers wrong.
2) if I transfer fsl designs to .jef files they sew out with loops and tangles - but if I transfer .dst they work.
I'm at my wits end - ready to sell the machine and go back to a home embroidery machine!!
Can anybody help.

[The Embroidery Authority - OLD]

Robbie,
The EP4 machine was meant for the hobbiest or home sewer meaning it is a home embroidery machine. Understand that this machine is the Janome MB4 with Melco's name on it.

In order to transfer files using Design Shop, you must make sure you are using the appropriate version of Design Shop in order to do this. If my memory serves me right, it must be version 7.00.112 or higher as this is the version that was available when Melco first started offering this machine. There is a EP4 button in one of the toolbars that is used to send files to the machine. What happens here is that the sofware is converting the native Melco OFM format file to something the machine can understand. Most probably a DST format.
If I were you, I would make sure you have the latest version of software available in that year (2008) just in case you're experiencing bugs. Again, if memory serves me right, that would be Design Shop version 7.00.114. A years last release of software is usually available for free to licensed Melco customers. You might have to work with the person you bought the machine from to help aquire this software if you don't have it.

Techs such as myself are going to be limited in supporting this machine as Melco doesn't offer technical classes for us technicians on this machine since Melco doesn't manufacture it. If your troubles stem from transfering Design Shop files, you might get some relief from Melco's software support.
As I understand it, Melco will support the machine operator with a Melco product no matter where it was purchased but the digitizer who purchased equipment or software from somewhere other than Melco will have to purchase a license to transfer the title and recieve free phone support.

I hope this helps.

Ed

[robbieseibert]

Ed, Thank you for your input. I do have version 7 - but I'm not sure if it is 7.00.112.
I will have to check. I am a home sewer - and have just learned that I need to pay Melco $600 to transfer the registration for the software. I can't afford that on top of what I paid for the machine and software. So I probably will have to sell this machine and go back to my old machine.

[robbieseibert]

hi ed i do have a good version of the designshop 7.00.114. and still tose problems. the tech at melco support says that the ep4 does go out of alignment - they dont know why. he did say to use designdhop to save the files as .jef and then closed out the .pes and then transfer to the machine - and so far that works

[The Embroidery Authority - OLD]

Robbie,
Well, now you've taught me something. I'm imagining that the .JEF file must stand for something like "Janome Embroidery File". And since the EP4 is made by Janome, that only makes sense. If saving as a .JEF file works okay, then that's what I would do.

Best of luck to you. And keep us up on facts like this.
Thanks,
Ed Orantes

[robbieseibert]

Still the problem- file saved from art to pes. Then with Design Shop from pes to jef - pes closed and jef reloaded then the transfer -- out of alignment. But saved to dst on a usb stick - worked just fine. I am wasting so much time, thread and fabric - this EP4 is so frustrating!

[The Embroidery Authority - OLD]

Why so many conversions??
What are you sewing?? Lettering, Stock Designs, or Digitized logos??
How is it you keep returning to PES files? You must have designs from the past in this format?
PES formatted files are commonly used in the home industry. Most Melco customers are using OFM, EXP, CND or DST formats. These are all considered commercial formats. I'm wondering if there are issues with Design Shop with respect to converting home formatted files.
If you say converting to a DST file does the trick, then go with that until you can find someone who knows this system better who can guide you. Has Melco offered any further information??

Ed

Ed