Embroidery with Janome 9700 and iMac

[denpopov]

I received Janome 9700 this Christmas and purchased ATA card. I cannot get any free files from Janome 9700 to transfer to the card which is formatted. I got this program called MacEmb on internet and wondering if some one has purchased it? If yes then is it worth and works well  between iMac and Janome.

 

 I dont have virtual windows program on computer. Thanks for help! 

[AlexAbramov]

Just read about the blurb on the website, and am not a Mac user so i can't actually say if it will work or not. But according to me it offers a demo, so you must give it a whirl but also let us know. 

[sherry]

Hi, 

 

I'm a MacBook Pro user so I will tell what you need, youo'll have to do a few things through Bootcamp that comes with Mac but it must be installed of virtual machine such as VMWare Fusion. Janome and most sewing machines only work with PC's. Sorry to rain on your parade. VMWare Fusion costs about $100 and then you need to install Windows, but make sure you get the right Windows 7 program to run your software. I still use Windows XP and have no problems with that. Just a note, Bernina only uses Windows and I have the My Label Pattern software from them and it was a bit of a challenge getting all my sewing set up but worth it in the end. 

[lindarnold]

I found "Convert It, Mac" demo the most useless. Users of Mac with Janome embroidery machine must definitely look at the StitchBuddy, with full-functional demo available for download. 

 

http://www.stitchbuddy.de/

[diver361]

For convert best choice - Embird - www.embird.com .. Many supported formats, lots of edit options. 

[candace]

I did download it for the site you posted about. The program is called Convert It Mac. I am still waiting for my 350E delivery and know nothing about embroidery. I do know about PCs and Macs and I switched over last year. The demo is nearly worthless but it was on sale for $99 if downloaded. I bought it. Yes it does convert to .JEF. I downloaded both samples and purchased designs from the Internet to play around with and learn about embroidery. The program converted from all the major companies. 

But there is a catch. I could not edit any .JEF files. I could edit the PES files and then convert them to .JEF. So if I found or bought a .JEF, I needed to convert it to a .PES, edit it and then convert it back to a .JEF. 

It does not have powerful editing features- just size, thread colors, add a basting area around it, flip and rotate and combine with another design. 

[olive]

HI

 

The another program is Stitch Buddy which has a very full featured demo. I got impressed and tempted to purchase it  since I've the other one. I will do some sort of comparison when I get EM but i know that EM needs icomputer assistance with editing. 

BUT YES, both the programs are just WONDERFUL at previewing files. 

[nessa12]

I am adding that Stitch Buddy Demo is limited to just 50 launches. It doesnt convert  the .ART designs (also I have Bernina 430, with no embroidery) this I get through a Bernina Club. But I like the SB interface better. And it allows you to edit the .JEF files directly which 

 

Convert It Mac (CIM) does not (at least I could not figure out how to do that.) 

[stitchlady]

Hi 

 

I've just read your previews on stitch Buddy, and your determination to learn as much as possible about your new hobby, I admire your deetermination. 

I am not a MAC user, firstly because I do not subscribe to the myth they are any safer than a IBM compatible which is what windows machines are , there are alternative operating systems as good some much better than Windows for PCs. But ultimately just as at risk as a MS operating system or MAC system with its file hierachy. No system is safe, but that's deviating and this isnt the place for a discussion on PCs or Macs. 

[AlexAbramov]

It would seem Stitch Buddy is the better option for simple design manupulation as the only fully fledged Mac os digitising software is Punto and that weighs in at $10000 roughly the equivelant of any professional digitising software. At the moment your main concern is with branded stitch format conversion, that is the switching of design stitch formats from ART to JEF. 

[AlexAbramov]

Unfortunately Bernina and Janome share the same software digitising program author, Wilcom, and neither format is compatible, in fact Bernina has locked out all other software from creating designs in their own native non stitch formats then first generation conversion to ART. So a quick primer explaining some terms is needed. 

[candace]

Editing or customising software; this allows for some design manipulation, changing thread colours, thread catalogues, simple rotation, some design rescaling. A few will allow you to create lettering. A good all rounder with some limited digitising is Sew what pro, and will run on a mac but only with a windows emulator. 

[lindarnold]

I have to ask the question why you want to edit designs, my reasons for asking? beyond changing the stitch format to JEF, and converting a stitch file format to another stitch format is fraught with problems, as stitch formats do not contain essential digitising information only stitch co-ordinates stops and jumps, design integrity becomes damaged with each format conversion that takes place., you do not need to to change thread colours at the computer, you can do that as you sew the design. Just print out a colour chart of the thread colours, find a clsest match from the threads you purchase and use them. 

[candace]

Rescaling or resizing a design; a real no no, I get so fed up of people trying to rescale an embroidery design beyond 20% up or down, they have no idea what is happening to that design. Most editing software now recalculates number of stitches needed, what it doesn't do is maintain the original settings the designer used, so extra stitches get added to fill gaps, destroying fill patterns, stitches get lengthened or shortened by the percentage chosen.

[lindarnold]

 Satin stitches become too long or too short to be viable, and a mess results. If the person rescaling a design doesn't realise there are lots of loose density, ( density is the space that exists between rows of stitches) and asks the software to alter density, they can end up with bullet proof stiff designs. Then they blame the digitiser or the software or the machine, not their tinkering with a perfectly good design. So start out on the right foot, and don't rescale designs. If the design is too large, use a different one. 

[sherry]

Digitising: taking an image and creating areas of stitches to re-create that image in a format a machine can understand. For that you need either an auto digitising software, not the best method, or a full digitising suite, far more expensive but a far cry from editing or auto digitising program, it requires time patience commitment and effort to learn how to use it. 

[lindarnold]

Once mastered it and your own willingness to be adventurous can produce stunning designs that equal or surpass any you can purchase online. Unfortunately the only one available for Macs is Punto, and that is too expensive for a home user.

[sherry]

http://embwizard.com/Puntoprice.html look at Expert and designer. 

[rosemary]

I really appreciate your comments. I asked in another forum if anyone could recommend a book. I was given lots of scattered info, joined a few different groups and went to numerous websites trying to pull together all the information. Your post really answered my question, "why do I need software?" 

[rosemary]

I also agree with your PC-MAC comment. One is not better or worse than the other- just different. I ENJOY the process of Mac updates. It takes seconds to download and install. And very few crashes. But there is limited ability to aquire software, I believe due to needing to meet Apple approval? IDId try Linux, before settling on a Mac but had too many wireless issues with my home network. I am of the age where I just want to simplify things. I don't need to do much (flip, rotate, merge) but it is so much easier fir my aging eyes to see on a computer screen then in the Janome display. 

[nessa12]

I am having trouble editing the above MSG on my iTouch so wil try again. I started on Macs inthe 80's, moved to PCs with my career for work compatibility, retired and tried Linux for a while and then opted to return to Macs when Vista came out. I have some IT background and have a laptop with Win XP that I baby along. I can't tell you I will never go back but I can tell you that I am quite pleased with my Mac experience and ability to connect wirelessly and seamlessly with PCs and Apple devices. If I do find a need for a digitizer I will most likely use it in Win OS. But after your post, I realize I have a long way to go in understanding everything. 

[denpopov]

I don't want to "waste" too many demo launches until I get my 350E but I have a feeling I will be getting the full SB program. It hurts that paid for the CIM but at least I can use all those free .ART files that I have been downloading for 4 years in hopes that one day I would get an EM! 

[candace]

I am having trouble editing the above MSG on my iTouch so wil try again. I started on Macs inthe 80's, moved to PCs with my career for work compatibility, retired and tried Linux for a while and then opted to return to Macs when Vista came out. I have some IT background and have a laptop with Win XP that I baby along. I can't tell you I will never go back but I can tell you that I am quite pleased with my Mac experience and ability to connect wirelessly and seamlessly with PCs and Apple devices. If I do find a need for a digitizer I will most likely use it in Win OS. But after your post, I realize I have a long way to go in understanding everything. 

[candace]

I do agree that EDITS (corrections) should always be free as they are meant to make sure the quality to the end user is acceptable. But REVISIONS normally have a charge in my world. just semantics.

 

So my sewout still means nothing as far as my clients are concerned.

[olive]

If you stick to a policy of using low stitch count designs on softer fabrics, ignoring the ones which rely on masses of stitches to create a look, then on your firmer weaves use higher stitch count designs, proper stabilisers, and you'll find you manage very nicely thank you with just stitch buddy software.