Hi Kerry,

PEDesign (not PED Basic) is Brother's version of digitizing software. It saves files in PES format and exports to a few others (HUS, DST, EXP, PCS) However, it is easier enough to use a "converter" software to change these files into all of the popular formats.

Learning to digitize is another subject altogether. There is a steep learning curve, especially if you are not familiar with graphics type programs. You might consider getting one of the viewing/editing programs first and playing around with the features. There are many of these available at a much lower price than digitizing software. The allow you to edit and merge designs, change colors, watch the design doing a simulated stitch-out, change thread orders, etc. Once you become familiar with these tasks, then digitizing becomes a little easier to understand.

The main thing is to pay attention as designs stitch out on your machine. When a design stitches well with no problems, it can teach you a great deal about how to create your own designs.

Wilcom Tru Sizer, Tajami Ambassador, and EOS Viewer are all free downloads.

Good luck,
Candace
Calico Callie