Check the resolution of your monitor or laptop screen
Many programs have a minimum resolution that they require for all of the work area and buttons to show. This information is usually listed with the system requirements for the embroidery software. Installing and running the demo version (if it’s available) should make any resolution problems obvious. Some programs may be difficult to run on smaller computers like netbooks, because they have a smaller screen resolution.
Be sure that the input options on your computer are compatible with how the embroidery software’s installation file is delivered.
If you only have a CD-ROM drive on your computer, but the embroidery software package is available only on DVD’s, you will not be able to use the software without additional equipment. It is usually easy to find add-on drives for your computer that will accept the kind of media most embroidery software packages use.
For software that must be downloaded from the internet, make sure that your internet speed will allow you to download the installation file in a reasonable amount of time. If not, sometimes a CD or DVD of the software can be purchased for an additional fee.
If you are using a tablet, you need to check the software and your tablet’s operating system very carefully.
Most tablets run on completely different operating systems than laptops and desktops – either iOS (Apple) or Android. Devices using iOS or Android cannot run Windows-based programs. You will need software that runs on these operating systems. Some tablets do use a Windows operating system, and these tablets may be able to use Windows-based embroidery software. The operating system on the tablet must be a full version of Windows (such as Windows 7 or 10), not WindowsRT. Most tablets will not have enough disk space to store more than a few embroidery files, so if you will be working with larger numbers of embroidery files, you’ll need to determine how and where you will save them.
Your software vendor should be able to tell you what the hardware requirements are for the embroidery software they are selling.
If not, the information should be printed on the software package, if you’re purchasing boxed software, or on the company’s website for downloaded software. Information on your computer’s hardware can be found on your computer under System Properties.
Install a demo version of the software before you buy it, if possible.
If you can load the demo version on your computer and have it run successfully, the purchased version should work, too. Demo versions of embroidery software are usually the most current version of the software, with limitations that are removed once you pay for it. This may not be true for all software, so be sure to check for any differences in the required hardware and operating system between the demo version and the most current version of the software before you purchase it.
Is the software compatible with my embroidery machine?
(Machine embroidery software only)
All embroidery machines have a file format that they recognize.
In order for your embroidery machine to be able to stitch out any design, it must be in the format your machine recognizes. The embroidery software you use must be able to open and save files in your machine’s format. Most machines only use one format, but some can use more than one. File format information is available from the machine dealer, the manufacturer’s website, or in the machine’s user manual.
Some machine manufacturers are very protective of their file format information. This means that independent software designers cannot create software that uses it. For machines from these manufacturers, you will have to either use the manufacturer’s embroidery software to be able to edit designs, or software that recognizes the machine’s alternative stitch format. This is something you will need to research carefully, as the stitch files for the manufacturer’s format may contain useful information that cannot be stored in the alternative format. Your machine dealer should be able to tell you the information that is saved in both formats, so you can decide which software works better for the types of embroidery you plan to be doing.
Manufacturers sometimes include basic editing software with their machines (or as a free download), but more advanced features are only available in purchased software.