I felt like the training video was a little sketchy at times.... while I´m familiar with working in vectors, the vague instructions for digitizing left me frustrated. Just having a voice over would be helpful, there´s no way you can guess the sequence of steps when some of the mouseclicks looked to be done with hot keys.
As a new user, I´m a little concerned how few RECENT postings there are in this forum.....Has everyone that´s been using this software since '08 been satisfied with it?
Also, would like to hear from people using Adobe Illustrator instead of Corel, have you been able to export files into StitchEra? My version AI does not have WMF file exporting.
George (XXX027)
Replied on
Wednesday, April 15, 2009 @ 11:45:48 AM
Raven, a new version, v9.20, has been released. It addresses the Out of Memory issues and some other that were reported. Please follow the "Last Release Available" link on the left column to download it. About the Training Material, I can tell you that we are scheduling some improvements to be done in the near future. Regarding Adobe AI files, try converting them to WMF file, which do not require having Corel Draw installed. We are evaluating the possibility of importing from Adobe Illustrator as we do from Corel Draw.
raven (XXX137)
Replied on
Saturday, April 18, 2009 @ 2:22:34 PM
George, Thanks so much for your reply! I´ve downloaded the upgrade as you suggested. I read elsewhere in the forums about putting my AI files in WMF format, but my version of Illustrator does not HAVE this capability. (I will be researching this at Adobe´s site, but for the moment it´s another hurdle to jump.) I´m anxious to be up and running, I hope for an Illustrator interface soon!
As for the training, I would LOVE it if Sierra would do some online classes for it´s users. Small little videos on a particular function, maybe feature a project and go through the steps. I understand the basics, I want to get to the meat and bones of digitizing. The manual has ALOT of information, but going through page-by-page is so slow! Quick little video sessions and having an example to follow along would speed up the understanding process greatly. Thanks! Victoria
Daniel (XXX095)
Replied on
Wednesday, April 22, 2009 @ 6:44:12 PM
Hi Victoria! You should be added to the yahoo group in the next few days, and you´ll find a few tutorials there, although they aren´t videos, just written tutorials.
Ian (XXX101)
Replied on
Monday, April 27, 2009 @ 12:30:29 AM
Raven, as far as illustrator is concerned, try copying vectors onto the clipboard in AI and pasting into ERA. Text and such may need to be converted to paths befor doing this.
raven (XXX137)
Replied on
Sunday, May 3, 2009 @ 7:58:33 PM
YEAY!! Just tried your suggestion and was able to paste my design into Stitch Era!!!!!!!!! THANKS SO MUCH FOR THAT TIP!
lynne1new (XXX142)
Replied on
Thursday, June 4, 2009 @ 2:52:01 PM
Hi Raven - I know its been a little while since you posted this, but thought I´d reply anyway. I just bought Stitch Era Liberty last week totally on faith - I never saw a demo of the product in person, never tried a trial version (can´t seem to get one anyway). I watched all of the demo videos they had on their website and was pretty much sold on that alone! A risky thing to do! Anyway, I´m a software engineer myself and I recognize that this software seems pretty new (wasn´t it first released last year?) and it seems still somewhat buggy. I´ve encountered a number of "Access Violations" on the two machines that I´m running the software on. The User Guide needs a revision to (1) match the current software version and (2) improve the translation to English. Oh, and it could use an index also. The Video Training would be much better with sound and perhaps could be broken up into smaller chapters or sections to make it easier to find the stuff you´re interested in. It just seems that this product needs some help! There´s virtually no discussion of the product online (besides here, which is limited to registered users) and there are no other training resources! I think this product has fabulous potential and I personally want to see it succeed. So I´m thinking that perhaps we, the user community, could step up and in some sense partner with Sierra Technology in improving / debugging / marketing their product. Can I suggest changes to the User Guide (and shouldn´t it be "User´s Guide")? How do I report bugs? Should we make our own little training videos? I would think that it´s in our own best interest to make this the best possible product that we can. Crazy idea?
Freskos (XXX119)
Replied on
Thursday, June 4, 2009 @ 6:38:14 PM
Hi, actually just found this site on my Liberty program! Knew about Yahoo site, but this is much easier access. Totally agree that training has to be improved. Bought program Oct. of 08 and read manual, every page, and watched video. I´m not a computer programer, just one who´s worked with embroidery programs for 8yrs. I couldn´t understand all that this offers, was very frustrated. So, I opted to have a trainer for Era come to my house and spend 12 hrs. (3 different days), and go thru it step by step. It was very expensive but there´s no way I could have learned without a person to talk to. Even she told me she never used the manual since it didn´t help much. This is something you have to use often and a lot to get to know. Good luck! Rosemary
alphafemale (XXX083)
Replied on
Saturday, June 20, 2009 @ 11:40:50 AM
Freskos, Where is the Yahoo group and where did you find a trainer to come to your home?
Hi Lynne,Sorry that so much time has gone past before I got to responding to what you wrote, (and I hope you didn´t get discouraged and stopped checking this forum!)I agree SO much with what you wrote...... I too went soley on the online presentation when I bought my software, and the examples that were displayed on their website. I think the manual is just not detailed enough. I am NOT ignorant of digitizing software, and I always felt I picked things up fairly quickly, but the training material that comes with this software REALLY needs some reworking. I too feel there is alot of potential, but for the price I paid for this program I expect better instructions. And this is a much more convenient forum than having to log in to Yahoo, so I hope it helps link us all together and we can share what we know. I have a chaotic work schedule, especially right now, so I am all for learning the specific techniques I need for the job at hand, without having to spend hours and hours searching and trying out things. One option I would suggest to Sierra would be to develop a network of educators that you could contact for lessons. And if someone becomes an expert, make them an educator. SPREAD THE KNOWLEDGE, it would be to Sierra´s benefit to have as many people using StitchEra to it´s full potential.
Ian (XXX101)
Replied on
Wednesday, July 1, 2009 @ 6:26:26 PM
One thing that great about the forums (this and Yahoo) is because there are people in the real world solving real puzzles every day, there is a lot of "been there done that" knowlege. Because this interface is very young (ERA), you just need to talk with the people who can translate all this for you. Believe you me...manuals can only be so good and can quicky become more confusing with too much info. Embroidery can seem really complicated to a new a newbie. for those of us that have the skills, talking, helping and sharing helps others, and more often than not increases our knowlege. If any one has a case, study or project... participate, and you will be rewarded. Think of these forums as a manual that keeps growing and giving.
raven (XXX137)
Replied on
Saturday, July 4, 2009 @ 3:30:57 PM
I agree, Ian; manuals can easily become too complex for newbies.That being said, I don´t feel that Stitch Era is a program that one can pick up on without some kind of background. To explain vector art to a newbie would require a manual of it´s own. That´s what led me to getting StitchEra, the capability of doing complex and creative stitching! I also agree that interaction among Era users is super valuable, however there are many nights I am up late, working on something and would like to be able to flip to page number whatever, and figure out the procedure for what I´m trying to achieve right then. To stop and write out my problem and wait for a reply means I have to stop my creative process. You know, running with an idea or concept and have to put it away til you can gather more experience....... ARG! Once I get all the steps down I´ll feel better, it´s just that I´m more of a visual/hands-on person, it´s so much quicker learning. Is there some way to attach pictures of what I work on, so that whomever responds can SEE what I´m asking about? (and I still find that I use THIS forum over the Yahoo site, since it´s integrated with the program.... a great feature, by the way, thanks to the StitchEra developers!)
Daniel (XXX095)
Replied on
Saturday, July 4, 2009 @ 9:47:04 PM
Hi Raven, if you click on the question mark icon at the top right corner of your Stitch Era screen, you can access the Support Tools wizard, which will let you attach whatever you´re working on, and your own notes of what the problem is. It doesn´t come to this forum, but rather through the support channels, and you WILL get help from somebody looking at the same thing you´re looking at on your own screen. Pretty cool!
raven (XXX137)
Replied on
Sunday, July 5, 2009 @ 10:28:33 PM
Ahh, that IS pretty cool! I´m sure I´ll be utilizing that function, thanks Daniel~!
Ian (XXX101)
Replied on
Tuesday, July 7, 2009 @ 1:16:16 AM
Raven, I agree that a way to post files would be helpful. The yahoo groups do have this advantage. It´s definately difficult to put something in words....;) I can tell you that in taking classes, Every digitizer will develope techniques based on the problems they´ve solved and the tools available. They may not be the "right" way or even the way the developer intended, but the connection is made, the feedback is re-enforced and the job gets done. free to post files or questions at any hour... You´d be surprised at responces from all around the world.
Art Reflections (XXX256)
Replied on
Thursday, January 6, 2011 @ 10:40:36 AM
are there any sierra user/ experts who will give time to new users with dumb questions? My husband and I are screenprinters who bought the embroidery machine and software we are artistic and want to learn digitizing. we already are selling embroidered garments. But we hope to learn this product well and digitize well,for a profit! aren´t we all? My first questions would start with How does stitch length and thread brand effect on small text.
Art Reflections (XXX256)
Replied on
Thursday, January 6, 2011 @ 10:42:28 AM
are you willing to spend time e-mailing a new embroidered. I am haveing difficulties with simple tasks digitizing because I am coming in with screenprinting background.
Art Reflections (XXX256)
Replied on
Thursday, January 6, 2011 @ 10:59:09 AM
Ok Raven , can you help me with a simple problem. I feel really silly asking but I cant add directional nodes (yellow Square) to a section with elastic zigzag fill. Isnt this something I should find in thte manual with ease. I need someone to get personal with on little things like this.Thank you for your time texting here. Kristine
Art Reflections (XXX256)
Replied on
Thursday, January 6, 2011 @ 11:07:22 AM
Thank you I will be trying out the question mark also. i have a simple question How do I add directional nodes to an elestic zigzag filled area?
Art Reflections (XXX256)
Replied on
Thursday, January 6, 2011 @ 11:53:31 AM
ive been playing at work so not makeing any money. sooo I may have found my answer to add a set of directional nodes to an area I must split the section first. Is this correct or can you elaborate on this situationthanks, kristine
Ian (XXX101)
Replied on
Thursday, January 6, 2011 @ 5:28:01 PM
Kristine, are you working with a column or an Area? If a column you can adjust the stitch direction from the node pairs. It is possible to converta a column to an area and then have access to adding the "yellow"tipped direction lines
