Embroidery software recommendations?

[Monipezi]

Wilcoms Decostudio is a combo of Wilcoms Digitising Software and Corel Draw.
It Started with Corel DRAWings (up to version 1 to X3) - a development from Corel and DRAWstitch (Wings System) to enable the use of vector graphics in embroidery. With ever package you have also bought a full version of Corel Draw. DRAWstitch and Corel split after Version X3 - Corel got together with Wilcom and created Decostudio - Drawstitch developed DRAWings 4 (now on Ver. 6) with ist own vector editor. DRAWings got much cheaper for the enduser - you do not need Corel Draw as editor any more - you safe the cost of a Corel DRAW. Decostudio ist still a combo of Corel Draw and Wilcom - you buy a full Corel DRAW with the package - even if you already own one.
DRAWings ist now a complete standalone softwarepackage - no swapping between Corel Draw as editor and stitch mode - you even edit in 3D view your vector graphic with the stitches in full view - in realtime.
Just a few thoughts of many - compare carefully all the features and tools (and costs)
greetings from Austria -Peter

[Posylane]

Peter,

We are looking at their Letting option. We build lots of names and monograms but don't digitize. They are asking $850 for the Lettering option.

Nathen

[Monipezi]

Nathen,
If your embroidery is focused on lettering - and you are looking for a large variety like tru and open type fonts - you will certainly require software with which you can "clean up" your digitized letters quickly and easily - so - you do require digitizing tools and will have to perform a certain amount of "manual visual correction". Just typing your text and not looking at the visual appearance won't do - the software you choose is your tool - like hammer and chisel for the craftsmen - the "sharper" your tools the easier one gets the work done :-)
take care - greeting from Vienna - Peter

[Posylane]

Peter, is that true of the 'pre-digitized' alphabets? I am hoping to avoid rework by using the pre-digitized lettering.

[Monipezi]

Nathan - yes, just checked on a pc I did the last installation on tuesday - DRAWings 6 and Wings Modular - I have 262 pre-digitized fonts listed in the fonts menu plus all the TTFs and open type I have installed on the PC - greetings from Austria - Peter

[Posylane]

Does DRAWings use the same .esa format fonts as Wilcom?