Here is question I see all the time. Which cross stitch software is best? Well the answer is more complicated than that, so I’ll run a little demo here with PC Stitch Pro, Hobbyware Pattern Maker, Cross Stitch Platinum Plus, STOIK, KG Chart, PhotoPad, Crosti, Pic2Pat, Thread-Bare, and StitchYourPhoto. I’m in a unique position to compare these software because I own so many different software, plus I like doing little comparisons. You can call it a bad habit. I’m a software addict. I actually own many more pieces of cross stitch software, but these are pretty popular choices, so we’ll compare with them today.
I’m going to use these two images of fly eyes. The one is rather simple and the other more complex with blending in background. I’m not going to edit or manipulate these in any manner. I will load them into the software creating a mockup 100 stitches wide for simpler image and 150 stitches wide for more complex.
How to Design - Needlepoint Video If you have a photo you want to make into needlepoint, we make custom needlepoint kits to help make your dream a reality. Simply upload the image you want to use on this page by clicking the 'Upload File' button on this page to get started. Needlepoint design software is a computer-aided design (CAD) tool that makes your designing seamless. You no longer need to stress your mind about manual drafting and meeting deadlines. With a reliable needlepoint design platform, you can create your embroidery design using digital tools. Plus you can view your creation in a 3D display. Cross stitch software for the Mac. Cross stitch software for the Mac was harder to find. Eventually I found MacStitch by Ursa Software. This worked well and did just what I needed. The company also provide a version for Windows, and even one for the iPad, so I can design wherever I am. Guess who is now a happy girl? It is probably the world’s most widely spreadcross stitching software. PCStitch 11: The Ultimate Stitching Software! PCStitch is advanced, but it's perfect for any cross-stitcher. If you're looking to extend your crafting creativity, we invite you to take a look at the ultimate design software available today.
I use this software so I have no reason to talk badly about any of it. This will allow you to do the comparison for yourself. I have changed default settings in both Pattern Maker and Cross Stitch Platinum any changes from default I made were to change results for better. (I use these.) PC Stitch, I just upgraded to 11, so it was using fresh install with the default settings. I didn’t restrict number of colors at all for these comparisons. You may consider these biased if you would like, but I did try my best to be unbiased and just show results.
So there you have just generic image loaded and you can see that there is a difference.
Now, I’ll load them into PC Stitch first. Here are the mockup’s that come out directly from PC Stitch.
A little review of PC Stitch. If you’ve never used cross stitch software and just want basic charts. This is the software I recommend the highest. It’s easy to use and relatively cheap. I really like the new update with PC Stitch 11. It’s really worth the cost of the upgrade. PC Stitch reads colors a little more pastel than they really are, so if you like bright vibrant colors you can expect your artwork to be slightly less. You should blow up the colors a little more vibrant in order to account for this not really glitch, but more reality of the software. All software uses different systems to match the colors. I really like their new system of showing stitched fonts.
Now, I’ll load them into Pattern Maker. Here are the mockup’s that come out directly from Pattern Maker.
A little review of Pattern Maker. This software was my favorite for a long time. There are a lot of my charts created with this here on Advanced Cross Stitch. They however are not going to update this software any longer, so I have tried to veer away from them slightly. I’m so familiar with it though I sometimes find myself working with this still. I like it for fades best, but it’s color matching is slightly off in my opinion. I also correct for this software in Photoshop.
I’ll load them into Cross Stitch Platinum. Here are the mockup’s that come out directly from Cross Stitch Platinum.
A little review of Cross Stitch Platinum. This is my new favorite software, but it’s got the largest learning curve. If you aren’t good with computer software this option may be difficult for you. It’s not intuitive. They try to sell upgraded versions. I like that you can chart for machine embroidery machines as well though. I would love to see some of my charts machine embroidered. I’m working on getting a good machine for that.
Here are the images out of KG Chart.
I honestly have never used this software, KG Chart. I downloaded it just for this experiment because it was fairly highly rated on another site that I saw. So I used the free 30 day trial to create these images. I changed no settings. It does look pretty good from these though. I may purchase it just to check it out more. It’s a little concerning though that it hasn’t been updated since 2012, according to it’s file. So, maybe should wait and see what happens update wise with this one.
I’ll load them into STOIK pattern software. Here is the mockup’s that come directly from STOIK.
A little review of STOIK. Honestly, I’m surprised with how bad these come out. I like the ease of using this software and do use it sometimes. It’s probably the most user friendly of all the software that I have. It is also one that I got first, so the start of my software addiction.
Here is PhotoPad by NCH Software.
A little review of PhotoPad. It’s sort of confusing software because making charts isn’t it’s only options. It doesn’t have a lot of options though when it comes to creating charts. The editing is limited as well. It also doesn’t have a variety of symbols. You’ll have to watch your chart closely. It calls all stitching embroidery as well, so everything about it makes you feel like this is just a side thing that it does. The chart quality seems okay for the smaller simple image, but way off for the bigger tougher image.
Here is the free Pic2Pat option, loaded directly from
A little review of Pic2Pat. This service is really good for perfectly clear images, but skin tones it’s terrible at. I hate seeing beautiful stitching with terrible charting and you can almost assume that this system was used when you see that. It has it’s place, but it’s definitely hit or miss. These images turned out okay though for what they are. I would probably not stitch the fade like that, but the close up of fly is lovely. I recommend trying it and if you aren’t completely happy look at other options. It is you get what you pay for sometimes…
I also don’t like this option for the ease of which you can break copyright laws. It’s law to get artist permission prior to stitching images and I’m a firm supporter of artists. I won’t budge on this even a little.
Here is the results from Crosti.
Crost is software I had never heard of until someone told me about it as a comment on this article. Heck, why not give it a shot? Here is what it showed gave. It doesn’t seem to have a lot of options, but it’s free software. This seems to be pretty good with limited capability. If your image is small and requires very few colors. This might be a great option. This is much less capable when the image is more detailed or needs to contain more colors. It’s free though, so give it a shot.
Here is the results from the online software Thread-bare.
This is online software similar to the free Pic2Pat. The difference is well… they charge you a lot of use their online software at $10 a chart. (You do the work, but you pay them too.) This company doesn’t verify image ownership either, so they allow copyright laws to be broken.
It’s almost always bad to see people use this service. You can see the low quality of it just from these almost perfect images. I would never recommend this software. It also charges you for the patterns which makes it even worse.
I get compared to StitchYourPhoto.com a lot as well. This service charges $5 for the downloadable version of chart created.
I personally prefer using different pieces of software based on what the customer is wanting or what my goal for the chart is. What I did here is nothing like what my service is for custom charts. I edit your image to make it as close to ideal for whatever software I use in the end.
Needlepoint Design Software
My service is completely customized to your wants and needs for the piece you want to create. There is a lot more to getting a great chart than just putting image into the software, but as you can see you’ll get pretty good results if your image going in is fairly clear like these ones are. If your images have even the slightest areas that aren’t perfectly clear, these software options aren’t your best option. I will work to clean up your image and either eliminate it or edit image to reduce emphasis on areas less desirable to the eye. I provide free mockups to show you what your stitching will look like as well, so there is no obligation if you aren’t completely happy with the way the chart will look.
Since you made it reading this far, maybe you would like to read some other reviews from publications. I’m trying to collect these so they can all be found in one spot.
World of Cross Stitch Article
Lucykate Crafts Blog
Lord Libidan Software Reviews
The following is the list of the top 5 programs designed to helpcross stitching lovers create their own designs as well as convert existing images into cross stitchingcharts.
PCStitch
It is probably the world’s most widely spreadcross stitching software. Its idea was to allow converting images into cross stitch patterns, keeping all functions as simple as possible at the same time. This idea has had some significant success amongcross stitchingfans of various skill levels.
Pros:
The software is easy to work with.
{LikeAndRead}
It has an intuitive interface with easy to understandcross stitchingfunctions.
The file sizes of the created cross stitch charts are much smaller compared to othersoftware.
While these pros helped thissoftwaregain so many fans, its unsophisticated toolkit has unsurprisingly some major drawbacks as well.
Cons:
The highlighting of the selected color function is missing even in the professional versions of PCStitch.
It’s fairly hard to look for individual stitches on the chart if you need some of them deleted.
The color scheme is slightly misbalanced towards the red side of color spectrum.
Overall:
It is a good solution if you have just started withcross stitchingsoftware. The toolkit is basic while the end results are sometimes moderate.
Cross Stitch Professional Platinum
This software is used for creating unique custom cross stitch charts. Another function it offers is transforming digital photographs into charts. It creates complete ones that don’t require any additional editing.
Pros:
Cross Stitch Professional has automatic digitizing function: just draw or scan an image and thesoftwarewill do the rest.
It offers an imitation of the stitched result and thread manager cards.
There are 5 versions included: three for hand stitching and two functions to create digital charts for machine.
It ensures an accurate color reproduction.
A more recent version of the software also permits usage of CMYK values for colors, stitch-by-stitch undo, custom stitch editor, etc.
Cons:
Sophisticated tool kit that requires some study.
It’s relatively high price.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Tracing-Photos-for-Needlepoint-5898c5c43df78caebc9e624d.jpg "Needlepoint")
Overall:
It is a good program that allows high levels of chart customization. It is also accurate when it comes to color reproduction. Beginners may find it hard to cope with its toolkit.
Pattern Maker for Cross Stitch
Unlimited export capabilities and its extensive toolkit make thiscross stitching software oneof the most complete options on the market today. It makes all stages of cross stitch design creation as comprehensive as they can be.
Pros:
“Foreground” function allows prioritizing colors that are needed on the foreground of yourcross stitchingchart.
An option to highlight all the stitches of the required color is available.
This program can be utilized for machine stitching.
Cons:
The color scheme is a bit misbalanced towards the red side of a spectrum.
Overall:
Obviously it’s the best choice for people who make their own patterns from scratch.
PM Stitch Creator
It’s a great choice for people who like making their owncross stitchingpatterns. It also offers an extensive image conversion toolkit for both JPEG and Photoshop files.
Pros:
With the PM Stitch Creator you can view your pattern as color blocks, threads, or as a completed piece.
It has a wizard to navigate users through various functions of the program.
Has an easy to use pattern creator.
Cons:
It’s relatively long learning curve.
Overall:
It is an obvious choice for people who make their own patterns. The wizard that is included in the package should facilitate the learning experience for beginners too.
PixelStitch
Needlepoint Design Software Free
This one is somewhat less common than the rest. It offers all the basic functions, however, it’s worth considering nonetheless.
Pros:
Basic functionality is included.
Image to chart conversion is enabled.
Cons:
It is not widely spread, therefore, you may struggle finding files compatible with it.
Its price is relatively high.
Quilting Design Software Reviews
Overall:
Quilting Design Software For Mac
Definitely consider getting a free trial version before buying.
Needlepoint Software Needlepoint Design
Now you have the feeling of what kind of cross stitching softwareavailable on the market today. Use this guide to select the most appropriate option that matches your unique needs the best.
Needlepoint Design Software
{/LikeAndRead}