Hi – I am an owner and user of the first 3D Professional software that I originally bought and used on my first Husqvarna Viking.  Now – I have the Designer SE and still have 3D on my PC with Windows XP.  However, I am changing to an Apple computer and I would like to put my embrodiery software by itself on a Laptop using the microsoft software.  I do not want to use Bootcamp on Apple or put any Microsoft software on my Apple.

My question is this:  I believe 5D EXTRA is all I need to continue to download embroideries – adjust them in the software – and then load them onto my Designer SE.

But – I just read on your site where you say it has to be used with the 4D dongle.  I only have the 3D dongle.  Does that mean I have to purchase 3D in order to use 5D??

PLEASE ADVISE.  Thanks – Janice

Hi Janice,

If you are currently running 3D then you cannot upgrade to 5D.  Only 4D Upgrades to 5D.   In your case you will need to purchase the 5D Embroidery with a new dongle.

If you already had 4D you could upgrade to the 5D and not need a separate 5D dongle, as your 4D dongle would be reprogrammed to run the 5D as well as 4D.  This is less expensive than just purchasing 5D Embroidery.

If you are used to using 3D then you should look at the difference between the 4/ 5D Embroidery and  Embroidery Extra packages.  When 4D Embroidery was introduced the base package was split into two sections sold separately.  4D Embroidery and 4D Embroidery Extra.  Embroidery Extra has the Edit functions like 3D Artist/Studio.  4D Embroidery does not have the ability to Edit designs in any way.  You can still add text, shapes  and encore designs but you do not have the third tab that has the editing functions.

To maintain the same functionality as 3D Embroidery Studio you will need to purchase 5D Embroidery Extra, not 5D Embroidery.  If you seldom use the editing features then you may choose to pay the lesser price and get 5D Embroidery. If you keep your 3D software you would have the editing options in that. You would have the option to sell your 3D Studio as you would not need it again if you have 5D Embroidery Extra.

Carolyn Duncan
Author of Husqvarna, Pfaff and Sewing Tutorials

Embroider Shoppe’s new James the Bear project is 9″ standing and made almost completely in the hoop, just a few hand stitches and stuffing needed. This adorable teddy can be made from any material, felt, plush or fake leather. He makes an ideal addition to gift baskets and is also great as a scented bear. Detailed photo instructions are included.

The new Return to Romance Collection from Michelle’s Designs includes full instructions for 4 beautiful projects plus five custom embroidery designs! These coordinating projects teach several techniques such as entredeux, gathering, bobbin work, mini cording, embroidery and more.

There’s a Travel Bag, a Little Clutch, acute Decorative Pouch and a Vintage Sachet. Complete your Return to Romance travel set and you’ll be ready for anything.

Make any size track with the new At The Track quilt in the hoop set from My Fair Lady! The set includes track sections, extra squares, border pieces, road signs, lap numbers, racing flags, a pocket, an overpass, and a car wash.

You can use these blocks to make quilts, pillows, bags, backpacks, play mats, or any other fun project.

Husqvarna Viking have just released the 5D Version of their software. When the 4D version was released the fourth dimension represented yourself, the user. Now with 5D the new dimension is Imagination.  It is not available in
Australia yet, but from the little I have seen I cannot wait to get my hands on it and I have pre-ordered my upgrade from my dealer already.

This version is available as an upgrade and does not have a new dongle.  The 4D dongle will operate the 5D software so there will be no dongle issues this time. (Also no second hand sales of 4D software!)  Very clever marketing.  This means that if you upgrade you will be able to run both 4D and 5D side by side.  With the advantages that 5D will bring it won’t be long till you find that you are seldom using 4D but for the changeover period you will have the comfort of being able to use 4D if you wish. 

The really big changes are in Embroidery Extra and the Digitizing Modules and the ability to use vector graphics is HUGE. 5D Design Creator has a Draw as well as a Paint tab.   Imagine being able to bring in an image with beautifully smooth edges.  You will be able to alter any section of the image and reshape it at will. Thick and uneven black outlines can be altered to even them out.  Many of the steps that 4D needed you to do in the editing
of the .can file will now be done to the initial image.  I often needed to edit my images in external CAD software (because I could) but now it will be able to be done  in 5D itself. 

The Multi Gradient fill in 5D Design Creator is an absolute WOW and will make embroideries so much more interesting and more like traditional hand styles.  Check it out at http://hv.5dembroiderysystem.com/  In addition the
Freestanding Cross Hatch and Richelieu Bars tools will make lace and cutwork designs so much easier. 

5D Monogram Wizard is now included in  5D Embroidery Extra as well as Background and Splitting Wizards as well as my favorite Express Design Wizard. Encore has changed!  Imagine being able to work on a variety of designs not just a single design. Lots of new shapes provided in Encore as well.  When you select a font name now you see the text in 3D so no need for little cameras. There are new grouping tools so you can align components in different ways.  The machine stitches are now Motifs with their own tab and look like they will be much easier to work with. 

It looks to me like many of the features that I loved  in the old Autodigitizing have been included in the 5D.  If you are in the USA I would be rushing to your dealer to have a look at the new features.    I will be really excited to get mine.  If you are still using an older version or have wondered about software then this is the perfect time to make the decision to buy.  Perhaps the GEC has made VSP think about value for money.  This version really represents a big step forward.  Looks like they have delivered big time on this version. AT LAST Yeahhhhhhhhhhh..

Carolyn Duncan
Author of Husqvarna, Pfaff and Sewing Tutorials

PS:  For lots of other new accessory goodies to come out of convention have a look here.

Also known as a Matryoshka doll, a Russian nesting doll or a Babushka doll, the collection of new Russian Dolls from The Purple Hat make very cute pincushions as well as lovely soft toys for girls. They are very easily made in a single hooping – just turn right sides out, stuff and sew the opening closed. There are four sizes available to fit 4×4, 5×7, 6×10 and 8×12 inch hoops. Children will love these pretty, smiling faces.

Help, is there anyone in the Birmingham, Al area that is using 4D software?

I’ve just discovered your blog and it is wonderful. I’m finding a lot of great advice and tips that will help me and really appreciate the great comments to questions. One of the things I’m struggling with now as a home embroiderer is hooping items like quilted purses, duffle bags, etc. that can’t be put in the hoop. I’ve gotten some great insight here about hooping the stabilizer and then basting/pinning the item to it, using adhesives, etc. Are there any other tips that would help me do this on a home machine? Thanks!

Hi,

An affiliate of ours – Designs in Machine Embroidery – have a number of Placement Kits and useful instructions that may help you.

I hope you find something to assist you.

Kind Regards

The Team @ Secrets

Carolyn Keber’s latest Step by Step Guide to Digitizing Studio V6 for Embird tutorial is now available! This 770 page tutorial will take you through the whole Studio V6 program and teach you bit by bit how to create your own wonderful designs. In no time at all you will be creating designs like a ‘pro’.Carolyn also has brand new tutorial videos for Studio V6 available on DVD. In total there are 73 videos to watch and listen to, with 11 hours of recorded lessons showing you how to digitize and more. The new 770 page Step by Step Guide to Embird Digitizing Studio V6 tutorial is included on this DVD too.There are also some awesome special offers for combinations of Carolyn’s tutorials and videos on CD – either Embird & Studio together, or the “Top 4″ of Embird, Studio, Sfumato and Cross Stitch.

I just stumbled upon this website a couple of weeks ago and have learned so very much from all the posts and comments. I’m a novice at machine embroidery — haven’t even thought about getting into digitizing — just buying designs and embroidering on my own simple projects. And then I had thread breaking and bobbin winding issues. I was referred to Carolyn Duncan because of expertise with Viking/Pfaff machines and I was amazed at the support she gave me–everything from sending me pictures of how to thread my machine to sending me links to YouTube videos. All that along with her own advice and recommendations to boot. It just can’t get any better than this. I’ve been told for years that “Customer Service” is a dying art but my faith has now been restored. Carolyn Duncan, I’m sure, is just an example of the highly professional team of experts this site has acquired and I am so glad that I found you. Thanks to all of you for making things so much easier to read and understand as we press forward in our sewing efforts.   I intend to access your site frequently and am in for the long haul.  Thank you ever so much, Betty Cook