Floriani Software

LinenLvr · September 15th, 2012, 09:52 AM

Hi all, I've been learning to digitize for about a year now and feel like I'm finally getting to grips with some of it. I also got a (lowly paying

) job as an embroiderer for a local company to get more experience and basically learn the industry. It's been invaluable at helping me understand and recognize the difference between something that has been well digitized or NOT as the case may be lol.

Anyway I've been using Stitch Era Universal and can do most of what I want to on that however I need to be connected to the internet and I'm concerned that if I use this go develop my own business, I'll be up a veritable creek without a paddle should my internet connection go down, or if they decide to withdraw this freebie from the market.

It's not an easy program to learn and the support doesn't seem to be wonderful which is why I was looking at the Floriani software. I'm not expecting it to work auto digitizing miracles, and am prepared and preferring to manually digitize when necessary, but does the Floriani Total Control Profession enable you do a good professional job? I can't afford squillions of dollars for Wilcom (which I'm using to some degree at work - they tend to outsource their digitizing), so that's not an option for me.

Thanks for any views or input you might have.

Linen Lvr

Robert Young · September 15th, 2012, 10:21 AM

Hi, how often does your internet go down now? And when it does they should be pretty quick in restoring it, so not sure that should be your primary concern? Your Computer could explode or be infected by a virus, etc... you would still be down nomatter what software you are using.

I would advise to continue using what you have until absolutely necessary.. there are lots of other things to prep for a new business... and you can always sub out your digitizing for a period of time if your worst fears came to pass and you had NO ability to digitize.

As far as your concern that what happens if they decide to no longer offer this as a free service... maybe the payment will not be as bad... and with that maybe you will gain extra features that you would like such as being able to digitize designs over 40,000 stitches( I did a quick look at their site and it seems that is the limit?) I noticed that one of the people working with them is Deborah Jones.... she has been around a long time in our industry and I think most respect her and her accomplishments... give her a call... or you can see her at many ISS shows giving classes or contact her through Stitches Magazine where she is a regular contributor... she is obviously in it for the long haul and I would trust she could answer your questions in an honest and professional matter.

LinenLvr · September 15th, 2012, 11:54 AM

Thanks Robert, that's really helpful and just the poke in the ribs I need lol.

I was at a Floriani event yesterday and really liked what I saw, of course they had a good deal on with lots of lovely Floriani thread included and so I was tempted to go back today and buy it.

BUT, you are right, SEU does what I need for now and I seldom really need to digitize a design that is over 40,000 stitches. I think the major issue I have with the free version is that it doesn't "redo" any changes you have undone, but mostly I can remember what it was I originally had changed ...... famous last words

My net connection tends to be pretty reliable and I guess if SEU goes away I will have to bite the bullet and upgrade to the paid version - which is still very reasonably priced. My major issue would be with support etc. but I got to where I have reasonable results with just online support so no reason to suppose I couldn't get better over time with the same help.

Is there a specific place/thread on here where I could get feedback (objective feedback lol) on how my digitizing looks etc. I want to get to an expert level if I can - I just hate to be average at everything and I've seen some people selling designs which frankly are awful! I don't want to go there.

Thanks again for the reality check

Robert Young · September 17th, 2012, 09:42 AM

Hi, I didn't mean to poke at you, I just really am conservative with spending money today until absolutely needed... trust me, It took years for me to learn this!!! lol And I mean no offense to Floriani or his products, I use his backings and special stabilizers often.. heck, Walter is the man who originally taught me how to digitize a 5 pointed star way back in 1989 on a Digitrac!

I think you could post a design or two on here in this section and people would be more than willing to tell you what they think. Telling what material or application it was digitized for along with a pic of your sewout would help as well.

LinenLvr · September 23rd, 2012, 08:47 PM

Thanks Robert, I'll give that a whirl when I get a chance.

LinenLvr · December 13th, 2012, 02:27 PM

Ahhh so the bullet has been fired and Sierra will be withdrawing SEU sometime in 2013, no word yet on when actually. So now I'm back to my dilemma .... I started using SEU because it was free and I've got to the stage where I can digitize easy shapes based on clipart etc. quickly with good results, but, if I were paying upfront, would Sierra Stitch Era Liberty be the one I would go for? There a lot of choice out there and prices are not inexpensive.