Manually digitized text, software options

cmimms · November 10th, 2008, 02:17 PM

Hello,

I am a writer and hobbyist who is interested in producing some of my short verses (10-20 words) via embroidery on fabric as well as paper. I am anxious to learn the art of manually digitizing text so that I have complete control of lettering. I'm not really interested in graphics at this point because my heart belongs to text! I would appreciate any suggestions for digitizing software that will give me the control I'm looking for (I want to be able to vary font type and size). I also understand that these software packages can be quite expensive ($5k and up), so I would appreciate a few suggestions in multiple price ranges. Thank you in advance for any suggestions you can give me!

- Carla

Robert Young · November 10th, 2008, 04:43 PM

hi, if you are only doing "some" it might be much more cost effective to use a local digitizer, or any digitizer for that matter?

But if you are insistent on doing the work yourself and really think all you would use is lettering ability.. then I would suggest going to a local sewing or quilting center where they sell home embroidery machines.... they have software that is under $2000 and some Way under that... which would work just fine for hand punched lettering.

Hope this helps,

Thread Graphics · November 12th, 2008, 03:46 PM

Manually digitizing text is not that easy. I agree with Robert in sending it out to someone. There is a learning curve in digitizing and if no one instructs you on the process, you will be greatly frustrated.
Most programs used today are scanned in and computer generated. They do not always allow for push and pull. O's come out smaller then an N right next to it, so letters are uneven.
Since I use a digitizing board, I manually digitize letters allowing for the push and pull. I only sewout the design once. When I first started digitizing 16 years ago, I hate to tell you how many times I had to sew out a design before it was usable!

You don't mention anything about the machine to sew them out on. Do you need to buy this also?

You say you want to do both fabric and paper. If too many stitches, paper will tear. One must really know what the are doing.

SunEmbroidery · November 15th, 2008, 09:39 PM

I agree. You'll need a machine so you can sew-out your trial works. Watching a machine embroider designs is one the best ways to learn how to digitize. Embroidering on paper is very different than fabric.