Digitizing is the process of turning a design idea into a computer file that can be recognized by an embroidery machine. Most home embroidery machines are basic sewing machines with an embroidery arm and a computer chip. This means that machine embroidery designs are actually computer files. Creating the computer files is done with specialized programs known as digitizing software. In machine embroidery software, digitizing and editing are generally two separate functions. Editing software may have some digitizing features (like the ability to add individual stitches), but digitizing software is required to create your own designs.
Digitizing is usually done manually, where each shape in the design is created by a person using a mouse or a pen and graphics tablet. Manual digitizing gives the greatest amount of control over the finished design.
In some programs, the software can automatically create stitch files from image files. This is known as autodigitizing. Autodigitizing is quick and easy, but almost always needs editing in order to stitch out attractively. Software that creates embroidery files from photographs, fonts or monograms, or machine cross-stitch files from scanned charts are all specialized auto-digitizing programs. The editing options may be limited for autodigitized designs in some software, which means they might not stitch out as well as they should.
After the design file has been created, digitizing software also converts it into the files embroidery machines use to stitch it out. This is the stitch file that is available for sale from designers.
Digitizing features to look for include:
Stitch options appropriate to the type of embroidery software, including:
Full, half and quarter cross for cross stitch
Fill, straight and satin stitches for machine embroidery
A library of stitches beyond the basic necessities are a nice plus for either kind of software
Custom options to create stitches and patterns not included in the software.
Controls for stitch characteristics: length, density and direction.
Underlay controls.
The ability to import reference graphics.
Lettering functions (also known as keyboard lettering) that allow you to create text by typing it in. In digitizing programs, keyboard lettering is usually a font pack or individual alphabets designed only for use with the software. It can also be a font generation program, which allows you to use the font files on your computer to create lettering. Not all font files will create lettering that stitches out well. And, like any other autodigitized designs, the files may need editing to stitch out well.
For machine embroidery, conversion to multiple machine formats (.hus, .pes,.sew, etc.) is useful. At the very least, make sure that the software saves or converts to a format your machine recognizes.
Optional features:
Autodigitizing software which automatically traces a graphic and then translates it into an embroidery file or chart. Most autodigitized designs need editing to create a design that sews out well. Because of this, be sure the software allows you to edit designs that it autodigitizes. Check the formats that the software can use for autodigitizing so that you know you’ll be able to find or create images to use with the software.
A photostitch option to create a design file from a photograph. Photographs are raster images which means they are made up of small dots. They usually have many colors and shades and soft edges. This makes them very difficult for autodigitizing software to handle. Photostitch software is specially designed to address these challenges.
Some machine embroidery software also includes a cross stitch component, allowing you to stitch out cross stitch designs on your embroidery machine.