Finally! Someone actually developed a real program for the rest of us–embroiderers who use Macintosh!

In case you didn’t know, I am a long-time, die-hard Macintosh user. Yes, “I’m a Mac” has been my refrain for a long time–since March, 1984, to be specific.

Ten years later when I started embroidering and digitizing I naturally wanted software that ran on Mac. After all, embroidery is graphical in nature so it seemed like a natural. Unfortunately, there are surprisingly few embroidery programs for Mac. I was fortunate that there was an excellent program for digitizing embroidery designs and I’ve been using it ever since.

However, all the sewing machines needed a PC format. I could create the two industry standards, DST and EXP with my software, but none of the home formats without going into Windows.

Until USB connections became popular, I was often forced to use a “real PC” to handle the required parallel port dongle. Later, was able to use Virtual PC and now Parallels with XP to run Windows programs. But even with that convenience, I just get annoyed…

Now, I have Brian Bailie’s program, Convert It Mac. Since all my designs reside on my Mac, it is just so convenient to launch Convert It Mac to browse them. Before, I used to have to launch my digitizing software and open designs individually–tedious, to say the least!

Before I used to use one program to do the initial conversion and coloring and a second to convert them. I had to use yet another to create SHV files.

So what all does this program do? Convert It Mac runs natively in Mac OS (I’m running Leopard). It’s sort of like have iTunes for embroidery. Here’s a list of some key features:

• Browse designs, images, text files and even zips! View as thumbnails or table view with extended information such as file date, thread usage, stitch count and more.
• Convert designs between different embroidery formats including most home embroidery machine types.
• Colorize designs in PES and VP3 with thread brands. Possibilties include ARC, Isacord, Hemingworth, RA, Madeira, Sulky and many more.
• Auto Baste will baste the rectangular outline of a design.
• Automatically create design notes, including a thread shopping list.
• Estimate the thread usage for a design.
• Convert a design to a TIFF file for print, re-digitizing or the web.
• Prints out both design thumbnails and actual size templates which can be used for design placement.
• Centers designs automatically.
• Drag and drop designs right to a floppy or USB stick for instant use in most machines.

So you might be wondering where to get this little gem. First, bug your dealer! If you can’t find there, here are some links.

MY AFFILIATE LINKS DISCLOSURE

Hi everyone. Just to let you know that some of the links on this site are affiliate links. What that means is that if you click one of them and buy something… I get a commission. It doesn’t cost you anything extra and I only recommend things that I’ve tried and tested, so please, please, please… use my links.

Fine Print: Lindee G Embroidery is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Lindee G Embroidery is also an affiliate for Embroidery.com, Nancy’s Notions, Embrilliance, and Craftsy. If you purchase something through one of those links I may receive a small commission, which helps to offset the cost of running this site. 🙂

WHERE TO GET…

Convert It Mac’s website has moved and is now with Embrilliance:

• Embrilliance software is often available in our shop as a physical product that will be shipped (U.S. only) or as digital download from Embrilliance
  • Not sure? Download a demo version to try out any ot the apps or get the free version, previously known as Alpha Tricks Express, now known as Embrilliance Express to open access to the thousands of keyboard fonts available as BX installer files

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