Customer Reviews

M&R Technologies PCStitch 7

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I only do cross-stitch patterns so I can't speak to how effective this software program is for embroidery or bargello work although it does have regular, half and back stitches, French knots plus a bunch of custom stitches (smyrna cross, trellis, eyelet, chessboard, stars, etc).

You start with a basic template where you select a "canvas" by size (in inches or in stitches), specify the number of thread strands and choose a cloth color. This creates a blank, grid-type canvas where you apply your choice of stitches. The program starts with a standard palette to which you subtract or add colors and one of the best features of the program is the fact that it lists hundreds of floss colors by name and number. Included are DMC (six strand floss, rayon and metallic), Anchor, JP Coates, Kreinik varieties, Maderia classic and a number of Mill Hill beads. I have no idea how up-to-date the thread collections are, however; the DMC section doesn't list the variegated threads plus the Mill Hill bead sections don't seem nearly large enough to encompass all their beads. Something the manufacturer might want to think of adding is a feature that would correlate DMC colors with Anchor colors so if you are publishing your design you can list both sets of colors.

The color palette offers you a choice of colors by number or by color range. You select the color you want, add it to your palette and assign it a symbol (there are 200 available). Removing colors is very easy plus you have the option of replacing colors (eg turn all stitches done in "carnation lt" to "forest green md").

Other handy features: spray (to color in a whole section); horizontal and vertical mirrors; center; and erase. You can zoom in to see sections of the design close up and you can remove the grid entirely. There are also options to show the design in black and white, in color and in color with symbols. Another nice feature is that you can switch to text mode using any TrueType font.

The program gives you a large number of "cutesy" designs and borders in a special library so you can cut and paste them on your designs. You can also import your own pictures and photographs directly to the library. A word of warning -- copying jpgs doesn't work very well, especially with anything over 40x40 square, as jpgs tend to blur pixels so you don't get a clear, sharp image.

Problems: I have read their instructions and tried everything I can think of but I can't get the program to copy part of a design and then move it to another part of the canvas. If you select "copy" the program picks up the section you choose and leaves a blank space behind. You can get around this by deleting the section and then pasting the original back on the canvas after which you paste more sections (one at a time) to the canvas, but this is time-consuming and clunky.

I have several times added the same color to the palette by mistake. This is a real pain to correct as you can't simply replace the second one with the first or combine them. The program really should tell you if the color you have selected is already in the palette. Also, if I have been working on designs for two-three hours, the program very occasionally turns itself off. On using the program again you do get a message saying there is a design that hasn't been saved so, theoretically, you can retrieve your work that way.

If you work on a design and later decide to import a palette you have used in another design, you will get one of the more cryptic error messages I have ever seen: "You cannot load a new palette unless there are no stitches set." Why you can't add colors this way seems strange to me, it would certainly be a handy feature.

I don't what other stitching programs are out there so I can't compare this one to them. I do like it and it's a lot of fun to play with despite the fact that it is a bit clumsy to use ("undo" as a icon on the toolbar would be nice). I have made seven original designs I like very much and plan to make more. One more thing: you can choose a regular time (month/six months/year) for the software to contact M&R for updates. I assume this means you can download corrections or new features as they become available.

This CD rom even comes with TUTORIALS! I still can't get past them to get to the real designs I want to make. The directions are written for people who need a degree in computer engineering. I have a decent knowledge of computers, Access, Excel, Word, etc. I thought it would be relatively easy once I got the "hang of it." I can't find a "back" or "erase" button like on Word, to delete or erase the most recent action, so I end up having to start over again. And again. And again. I was so excited to use this because I'm so sick of going to craft stores and seeing nothing but ugly cross-stitch kits for flower bouquets, kitchen decor or farm animals. This CD is a waste of time and money. Don't bother.

This is the only time I've tried this kind of software. It's fun to play with, but it doesn't do what I'd like it to do. Since I knew nothing about what to expect, maybe I expected too much.

For one thing, I thought that it would automatically convert the fine ink lines in my drawings to backstitches. It doesn't.

For another, it takes one color of watercolor or pastel (on the original drawing) and converts it to lots of different colors. Not just light and dark, etc. Sure I can give it fewer colors to work with, but somehow that just doesn't turn out very well.

I tried underlaying and "tracing", but that was far too much trouble. So about the only thing I can do with it is to make new designs from scratch. (It will do okay converting photographs, provided you use small stitches -- but I just wanted to do my drawings.)

I admat that, although I spent a good many hours with it, there are things I'm sure I didn't find out about. It has a lot of features, but I don't think there's any way to make it do what I'd like it to.

Overall, it's not something I expect to get a lot of use from, although as I said it is fun to play with sometimes.

I just got this so I am still trying to learn about it. Right now the only bad thing is that it doesn't come with a manual. It does have tutorials though. All in all I think that I am really going to like being able to create my own patterns. Definately a good buy!

I am very happy with PC stitch. It did even more than I expected. I avoided buying it for several years because I could never see myself doing photos in sepia tones. A friend had bought PC stitch about a year ago and kept talking about it. I finally broke down and bought it. Was I ever surprised. I hardly ever follow a pattern exactly. I have been able to easily alter patterns with this product. I can add my own personal touches to each pattern, and still keep the integrity of the pattern. I have been using the help menu considerably to expand my knowledge of the product. I mainly use the search capability and found everything I have been looking for so far. I am also able to copy in pictures for my beading projects. Many times, I am only after a portion of a picture for beading, and I can easily strip off what I do not want. I wish I had bought it sooner. I may even have to research going to the PRO version.

when I got the product I was really happy at first until I tried to load in my own picture. the picture came out distorted and could not make out some parts of the faces of the people in the picture.

This product makes the best patterns for cross-stitching photos.
I was very very pleased with this purchase.

I had high hopes of converting a poem to a pattern. After several attempts, I am still unable to do so. Instructions are not as easy as described in the offering.

I have only printed out one photo to cross stitch, and I have no idea where that print-out is at this time.

But the program worked as promised and someday when I am old and gray (oh, wait, that won't work - I am alread there!) I will begin with a simple photo that won't take me forever and a day to start and finish.

I would recommend this program, however.

I love this software program. I have been using this program a lot since I purchased it. I have been using it to crochet special afghans and absolutely love it.