Does Auto Digitizing Embroidery Software Work? Comparison to Manual Digitizing

Does embroidery theory still matter? Should I still learn to manually digitize if my embroidery software has an auto digitizing tool?
Here is how the story goes… I saw a post pop up on our FB Group ( / hatchfacts ) that was asking what could be done to improve the quality of the design? I could immediately tell the design had been auto digitized using embroidery software because of the way the pathing of the text looked.
Even though the artwork itself was what I would consider quite simple and it would take me approximately 10 minutes to digitize manually. Knowing that it was “Auto Digitized” I was inclined to look at it from a perspective of fixing the auto results, knowing it would take far longer to edit than to digitize from scratch.
So rather than answer by writing a small book, I reached out and asked if I could use it as an example for an educational video. Showing the process of how I would correct/fix a design that was created automatically is something I had not previously done for a lesson.
I’ve always been hesitant to focus on the Auto Digitizing features within any program, knowing that the results are always not up to my standards. Then repairing the issues generated automatically requires the same theory and the knowledge that is required to do the process manually, so the reality is that you're not saving time, you're adding it!
The first thing to remember is the principle of “garbage in- garbage out” always applies, especially when dealing with raster (dpi) images. Low-resolution images are pixelated, and the software will add way too many nodes while trying to generate the objects into stitches, if this occurs its game over right away. The second thing to remember is that an “artist” never creates a logo saying to themselves, “I wonder if this will be friendly for embroidery?”
Because we are dealing with threads that have limitations and a graphic artist is dealing with ink, the two processes will quickly conflict, and the embroiderer/digitizer has to accommodate for the graphic artists' lack of knowledge for embroidered apparel.
So, when I brought in the provided artwork and clicked that magic button that when all my trouble begins. The software does its job in creating and outlining objects, then it’s up to me to fix the barrage of mistakes. Making the entire process an exercise in futility, my only hope is that it hits home the importance of theory and learning to manually digitize. The reality is that if you want to know how to properly fix something you first need to know how to create it.
Luckily I learned that process from the very beginning because I can guarantee that I would not be a digitizer today if every design I did was riddled with problems and frustration.
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[@heatherschimke6107]

I am going to save all of your videos so I can start digitizing some of my own designs. Thank you John.

[@williamvangundy3358]

I haven't had any luck getting a good design with auto-digitize. Thank you for giving me more manual design theory to improve my work. You're the best!

[@sallyquiroz1603]

I appreciate this video so much. I use auto digitize some and have been very happy with the results. However, I am only doing some one of a kind craft projects for my own use. I can see that if I want to go into business I will need to learn all the things. LOL I love using my Hatch2 software. I learn something new every time I do something and every time I watch a video. Thank you for taking the time to do this.

[@sharleenphillips9113]

Wow, I can appreciate all the work that goes into cleaning up bad designs. This is a a great video. Thanks for doing this video. I don't know if it worth redoing a design.

[@digiembroidery6687]

Very informative discussion for embroiderers. For these reasons we digitize manually to satisty our clients.

[@fl305]

Wow Digitizing reminds me of Adobe Illustrator! Now I'm really interested in adding Embroidery to my business.

[@All-the-Stitches]

The disappearing letter L made me chuckle! And the 'D' - I feel your pain trying to rectify this. I never understand why people use auto digitising for logos - so much easier to do it by hand. Thank you for showing us this. I'm going to post this in my embroidery groups.

[@gillscarisbrick645]

Thank you John. So glad that I do not use Auto Digitise, I do not think that I could cope with the strange things that happen in a design when it is auto digitised. If you find it irritating then I would not stand a chance!

[@jessiegibson9023]

Good video thanks looks good

[@Drukendru]

Is the Hatch software made by the same people as the Bernina Embroidery Software 8 Designer Plus? Similar layout and identical buttons in place. I just learned about the "true view" and wow that would have helped on some earlier projects! Thanks for the great informative video

[@quantumzuccess]

I enjoyed this video. Please what's the title and author of the background soundtrack while fast forwarding. Thumbs up Jon

[@JanetDiaz6152]

Ohhhh John , I'm so Upset. I bought the PE Design11 , and i like this program better.:{

[@SYKOK1LLER]

So does Hatch2 auto digitize work better than others or still pretty useless? Looking into this software.

[@faviolamartinezsewdigitizing]

Goodness, you're patient John, trying to make a point about how auto digitizing isn't a good way to go on this logo! That was just too much work!

[@cmena801]

If you made a comparison Hatch embroidery composer compares to stitch artist 1, 2 or 3 ?

[@AtlantaMonogram]

Omg you have patience of Job 😂

[@briansharkey7873]

So why doesn't hatch Design the program better. This video make a mockery of the Auto digitising side of it, basically it fails to do the job properly.

[@petersiliekrause2203]

I don’t know how to digitize. But this clean-up reminds me of somebody who wants to cook a bowl of rice, and tries to make the dish by cooking every grain separately. Absolutely painful and time-consuming.

[@briansharkey7873]

So why doesn't hatch Design the program better. This video make a mockery of the Auto digitising side of it, basically it fails to do the job properly.