- Embroidery Software For A Mac
- True Embroidery Software For Mac
- Machine Embroidery Software For Mac
- Embroidery Software For Macbook Air
Can I Install Wilcom EmbroideryStudio on my Mac? What options do I have?
Yes you can! There are basically two options, Boot Camp and Virtualization
Boot Camp is a technology that allows booting your Mac in different operating systems, and the Boot Camp Assistant will guide you to convert a portion of your Mac hard drive into a full Windows PC environment; this is done by partitioning the hard drive, installing Windows on that new partition and use the Mac hardware as a PC (taking advantage of the Intel chipsets). Be aware that in order to use this option you will have to re-boot your Mac every time you want to use Windows.
Best Home Use: Wilcom Hatch Embroidery Software “30 days trial with no credit card requirements, impressive features, great for both beginners and pros.”. Stitch Artist Level 1 is the top contender of the best embroidery software for beginners because they offer enough features without overwhelming the user. It’s also pretty affordable for what it offers. The possibility of expanding the software with Levels 2 and 3 makes it a worthy investment as well.
Virtualization is the ability to run Windows and Windows base programs within the Mac OS as a window without the need of rebooting. By using virtualization you will be able to run EmbroideryStudio e4 (or any other Wilcom product) along with CorelDRAW in your Mac; the virtualization software will allow to share all the Mac services (printing, networking, exchange of files, etc.). There are a few companies out there offering virtualization products, in our case we will focussing in the most renown: Parallels, and VMware Fusion.
Parallels will use the installation of Boot Camp allowing you to use only one version of Windows for both Boot Camp and Parallels; that’s why we are using this product to explain how easy is to run Wilcom ES e4 on your Mac!. For this exercise we have chosen a Macbook PRO laptop running 10.13 (HighSierra) with 8 GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD hard drive.
Download StitchBuddy for Mac to edit and convert embroidery files. Join or Sign In. Sign in to add and modify your software. Sign in with Facebook Sign in with email. StitchBuddy can modify and convert embroidery files. Parts of a design can be flipped or rotated, moved or deleted. Multiple designs can be combined using Copy and Paste and thread colors can be.
Getting all the things you need
Through this process we will be:
- Setting up your Mac
- Downloading Windows
- Installing Boot Camp
- Installing EmbroideryStudio e4 & CorelDRAW
- Getting and Installing Parallels
Before you get started!Download our PDF version of these instructions.Installing-Wilcom-EmbroideryStudio-on-a-Mac.pdf
Embroidery Software For A Mac
Setting up your Mac
The only thing that you need to do before initiating this process is to check that your Mac has enough free space. The minimum recommended is 32 GB; we recommend 48 GB o more so Windows can run properly.
Download Windows
Download Windows 10 image (ISO File) from the Microsoft web page, if you are unsure, just Goggle it and chose the one from microsoft.com, this is the link: https://www.microsoft.com/en-au/software-download/windows10ISO.
When prompted please select Windows 10:
- In ‘Editions’ please choose Windows 10, and;
- In ‘Product Language’ please choose your preferred language
Choose the ‘64 bit download’, this is the only one that will work properly in your Mac.
Installing Boot Camp
Navigate to your Application folder, scroll down until you find the folder “Utilities”, choose Boot Camp Assistant and launch it.
Once you are on the Boot Camp App, click on Continue.
On the ‘Install Windows’ screen please choose the Windows ISO file that you previously downloaded from the Microsoft site, and the decided how much space you are going to spare for the Windows partition. Please be aware that once you have made this decision, will be very difficult to change it, most probably you will require an technician to do it for you.
The installation process will take between 25 minutes to an hour depending on your internet connection and your Mac hardware, the Assistant will install the Windows Support Software, then it will partition your hard drive, install Windows 10 for you and finally install the Boot Camp tools needed to run Windows properly.
Before installing Windows 10, Boot Camp will ask you for your password.
The Windows installation will begin and you will be asked for you personal data, date and time, network and/or Wi-Fi password etc. You will also need to provide an user name and password that will be use every time you log into Windows. Boot Camp and Windows will restart several times during this process. Please take into consideration that you will need to purchase a Windows license to activate Windows, or if you’re working in a company they might provided for you.
Once the installation have finished, your Mac will be restarted; if you want to boot into Windows, please maintain the Option key pressed until you get the following window and choose Boot Camp:
Once you boot into Windows for the firs time you will be asked to install the Boot Camp tools, a set of drivers that will allow you to properly use the Mac hardware in your newly installed Windows 10:
Installing EmbroideryStudio e4 & CorelDRAW
Once the Installation of the Tools have finished you can proceed with the installation of Wilcom EmbroideryStudio e4 and CorelDRAW Graphics Suite following the instructions provided in the product box:
Once you finish with the installation of EmbroideryStudio e4, please install CorelDRAW Graphics Suite:
Getting and Installing Parallels
Download the latest version of Parallels from their website, they have several versions, we tested EmbroideryStudio with their standard version, if you need something fancier, be prepared to pay much more
At the time of this blog, the latest version was 14. Parallels offer a 15 days full trial in case you need to test it before hand. Once you have download click on the parallels.dmg app and follow the instructions:
The first screen that will pop up will give the ability to install Parallels (and Windows) in several ways. Because we have already installed Windows on Boot Camp successfully, the easiest and faster way is by choosing “Use Windows from Boot Camp). You will save not only time but also space in hard drive by avoiding two different Windows installations, one in Boot Camp and the other inside your MacOs.
Is the smartest and easiest way!
If you’re prompted to “Allow Parallels International GmbH” please do so, you have to do this only the first time.
Before launching for the first time you will be prompted to sign in or register an account with Parallels:
Once you’re finished with the registration, launch Parallels from within your MacOs without rebooting and log in into Windows using the same credentials that you use for Boot Camp:
And voila! Now you can use your Wilcom EmbroideryStudio e4 inside your MacOS without rebooting and completely integrated with your other Mac native applications. Don’t forget to verify if there is any updates available for Windows, Apple software, Wilcom or Corel products before enjoying using ES on your Mac!
Note: If you don’t want to deal with the different keyboard shortcuts, the easiest way is by using an USB Windows keyboard when you using Parallels.
Have you already chosen embroidery as your dream occupation? Do you want to take your embroidery on a whole new level by adding some of your very own personality reflected and by adding a professional touch? You have just came to the precise place. Here, we will be showing you the top 10 free embroidery software that is available in the market.
If you are doing the embroideries regularly, then the mainstream embroidery patterns might already have been done by you. Now it is time to take benefit of the software available to make it a lot easier, less time consuming, and to add a professional touch.
The embroidery software will help you to bring up a new and unique design on the fabric. Apart from the designs, it also works to add additional characters, letters, numbers, digitized pictures. There is software available for both machine and hand embroidery.
Every embroidery machine company claims to have the best software that suits their machine the best. However, there are constant developments in the market. Many software companies are updating their embroidery software and introducing the latest one. Here, we are introducing to the best ones for you, that too, completely free.
See More:The Best Embroidery Scissors – Top 10 Model Reviewed
1. My Editor
My Editor by WingsXp is one of the most popular free embroidery software. It was options and tools that have made the whole process a lot easier and convenient. The special features have made it a unique one.
If you are a new embroiderer and you are looking for easy editing software for embroideries, this can be your go-to option. If we look at the functions of this converter, we will notice that My Editor by WingsXP is even more than the converter of formats. And all because, in addition to the standard features of reading and re-saving the file, the developers have provided users with small additional convenience.
My Editor has the toolbar with features like Opening, editing options, scaling, etc. This software allows you to see with the actual thread color, and you can also make changes as per your taste. The Editor software also has some specialties. It has a color managing tool, a color palette to adjust the colors, removal, or insertion option as well. This software also has a toolbar that is placed vertically and manipulates the design. The formats this software offers are Preview3D, Toggle grid, Grid options, Guidelines.
You can view your design in different ways using this software. This is a perfect software to start your digitized embroidery with.
2. DRAWings Pro X
Drawings Pro X is the software that is suitable for graphic design, screen printing, and embroidery design. It is perfect for Windows 7,8 and 10 and MAC OS. This software has the latest and updated technology.
You can create your very own design, add text, edit, that too in a 3D designing mode. It has the new automated monogramming tool and, as an extra benefit t has hundreds of frames including borders, corners, and sides. You can also craft with cuts and stencils using this software.
Cut the area that you want with the cutwork tool, and the embroidery machine will work accordingly with the information provided to draw the area you want to be cut. Using the cutting needles, the machine will be converted into a cutting machine eventually.
Import the cut design or make one make paper craftwork. Fill it using the paint fill tool, and once it is done, export it to the Cutter.
3. BuzzEdit v3
BuzzEdit started its journey as an ordinary stitch edit. But, with time, it is now a popular software to create creative designs and embroideries. This software runs on Windows 7/ 8/ 10/ Vista/ XP. You can use this cool software for free for the first 21 days.
This software has an outstanding quality editing and removing features. You can also recover your designs for future references here. You can create creative borders and labels. To save your work, this software has color sorting technology within itself.
Creating continuous borders that are appropriately aligned is a feature that has made this software stand in the crowd. Design colors, break, and rotation is also available. The latest thread palettes and hoops are there for you to work on it. If you are an amateur, the latest templates can work as a guideline for you.
4. Embrilliance Essentials
This software can make your work more exciting and fun. The Embrilliance Essentials can be used in both MAC and PC. It is user-friendly for every type of user, as it can write in both a USB flash drive and a floppy disk. Both older or newer PCs can run this software.
This software provides all the necessary features that you may need to do your work. Almost designs of all formats can be put into the fabric using this software. You can even resize your embroideries. Geometrical patterns can also be added. A different form of letters is also available in this software. This software can work as guidance for you to work with different patterns and materials.
But, unfortunately, you can only have a certain period to use Essentials as a demo and without paying for it.
5. SewWhat-Pro
SewWhat-Pro is a software that has complex and professional features. It may help you to have a proper project management system as it has Integrated Project Management features. Your brand and thread colors can be edited using this software. This software is also capable of reading thread colors of “txt” files. You can convert cross-stitch files into embroidery files using this software.
If you are a novice in the world of embroidery, SewWhat-Pro can be a great option. You can get a free trial for 60 saves or 30 days.
True Embroidery Software For Mac
6. Wilcom TrueSizer e3.0
Wilcom Truesizer e3.0 is a great free of cost embroidery software that you can use in your work. Fill just a little questionnaire, and you can download this software for free. The desktop version of this software is more convenient to use rather than the Beta one that was made to use on PC, Mac, iPad, or Android.
It is a widely used software that has excellent. This requires a straightforward process, and as it can be your go-to software if you are a beginner. With this less time-consuming software, open a file of any kind of format and save it to your required one. Cool features like Horizontal and Vertical mirroring, mirroring by reference line, rotation of 45 degrees, both clockwise and anti-clockwise.
7. TESViewer
This software is free for all Barudan machine owners. You can view your embroidery files, convert the formats, reshape, and many more. Another plus point of using this app is it has a Library full of designs that you can download with absolutely zero cost. TESViewer software has many unique features. It can give you a pretty realistic view of your design. You can zoom in and out too. Every ordinary function is available in this software. It also provides a full-screen view.
This free software can be an excellent guide for you in creative and professional embroidery. This is a fast and convenient software to begin with.
Machine Embroidery Software For Mac
8. Embird
In the world of needlework, Embird has a well-established reputation. Both reasonable price and beginner-friendly functions have made it acceptable for every category of users. Every feature of this software needs an individual login to have access. Purchasing the very module can provide you that.
But for those who do not want to purchase the module, there is also a solution. You can use it in the demo mode. This mode may not have all the coolest features that the paying one has; still, it can be considered as a great deal. But as a time limitation, the demo mode is only useable for 60 days. If you want to proceed with that after 60 days, you will need to purchase and upgrade it. The free one just has some limitations to have full access to the software.
Embroidery Software For Macbook Air
9. Hatch by Wilcom
This software is a great deal for amateurs. You can get cool works like auto digitizing, lettering done using this software. Not only that, you can create your very own monograms too. This software, unfortunately, provides free trial for just a month. If you feel that this is the software for you, you can purchase and use it in the future.
This is a module oriented software. You may have to log in for groups of features individually, rather than for every single one in Embird. Another difference that can be spotted is that the free trial allows you o have access to the entire software, not to just a limited portion. You just have to download it and BOOM! It is ready to work with, even without any registration.
10. SophieSew
Last but not least, SophieSew is the software that can fulfill all your expectations, that too, free. This fantastic software is free of cost for everyone. Not only that, the paying customers do not even have to pay for the upgrade. The newbies choose this software as their editing and digitizing mentor.
A newcomer can start without paying even a single penny for this software. Unlike most of the software, this software permits unlimited access and access without any time limit. The best idea is that this free access is not time or feature limited.
This software has maintained its quality, even though it is free. This, especially, adds another feather to the crown. You can easily rely on this. This software also offers hundreds of designs, resources, and tutorials for the newcomers.
The con that can be said about this software is, it is not so suitable for commercial purposes. Instead, it works great for home-based businesses. Overall, Sophiesew is indeed a great option to experiment with embroideries and to learn.
Conclusion
With time, digitizing has become significant in the embroidery industry. This has widened the extent of a lot and has broken so many barriers. As a newcomer, you must have the proper guideline that can lead you to perfection. The free embroidery software may not be the best software for embroidery out there, but as a beginner, you can easily try these options out and see what works best for you. If used wisely, being patient and dedicated, you can make this free software work like a pro!