A Complete Guide to Embroidery Digitizing Tablets - Gaming Mouse for Embroidery?

In this video join John as he goes over what he considers some of the best tablets for embroidery digitizing. With over 35 years of experience in the industry, John shares some of his favorite tablets. Plus he shares an extremely helpful tip using a gaming mouse!

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[Greenalien]

John, that was a great video. I bought a Huion 22 because of your video. I wanted to let people know, there are also different ways to make this happen. I see that you are left handed, and I am right handed. Instead of buying a left hand mouse, I have a Razer Huntsman keyboard, and I just made a profile on the keyboard for hatch. With Razer, you can make "hotkeys" so that the key you are pressing acts as another key. So I made left and right mouse keys, and moved the backspace and space bar all on the number keypad. This is awesome! I also have a stream deck. I made it so that when I open Hatch 3, my screen location moves from side to side, to bottom to top, and I made app switch the profile of the keyboard as well. You are a wealth of information, and I continue to learn everyday, even though I am retired. Thank you.

[gillscarisbrick]

Hi John I have taken the plunge and bought, (well my partner did after much hinting), an Artist 22EPro XP-Pen tablet, with programmable buttons both on left and right hand side of the tablet. Basically it is for artists, but my partner assured me that it would work for what I wanted. After trying on the website to find a tutorial which would show me how to get both Hatch and the tablet working together, to no avail, I had a light bulb moment and remembered this video. Re-watching it again I think that I had over complicated things and tried too hard; so I have programed the left hand side of the tablet for enter, backspace etc and to my joy it works. The only thing I need now, apart from remembering which button does what, is space on my desk! I shall now try and complete one of your digitising lessons to see how I get on. Many thanks again for this video, and thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[dashark]

Great video, just saw this last night and ordered a gaming mouse... Been playing with the settings to customize to my preferences... Game changing...

[gennyanny]

FWIW - I've just been using my OLD AutoCAD hardware -w/the soon dead Windows 7 & external pen tablets to custom digitize for output on Amaya.



Truth be told - my cobbled system has worked great with my bff Hatch- but I wasn't considering doing more serious production until now. PLUS I need to 'show up' -online- LOL- with my computer ducks in a row -for your amazing course in Feb.



TY so much for your generous guidance on hardware - without it- I'd have made a costly mistake. The posts here are REALLY helpful too.

[Braisin-Raisin]

I am relatively new at digitizing and am doing your course. I agree: digitizing with a mouse is awful. I have sketched a lot in my life (pen and paper, charcoal etc, )and you cannot do it with a mouse - you need a pen. So now to see what I can find in my end of the woods - Germany. Thank you, you are excellent at explaining clearly and one can hear the enthusiasm in everything you say!

[bluebunnyhollow]

Thanks for the great video John. I have tried a Control Pad, but it was bulky and one of my software needs the Control Key for curves and holding that key down on the Control Pad locked up my keyboard, very frustrating. I have been looking for something simpler and this is it. I just got mine this morning and have set it up for the 2 digitizing programs I use the most. I am right handed so it took me a few minutes to get use to using the mouse in my left hand, but I think I got it. Thank you so much for providing the best teaching on the web!!! Have a blessed day!

[jtemple]

John, this was fantastic video.  I have an old tablet that we used in the digitizing class and I love it, the designs look so much more natural with the freehand and tablet.  I have been looking at the new screens and tablets and this was a great video for explaining the technology.  I had so many questions especially with the mouse and pens.  I was wondering if you had a pen with right and left click or if you were using the mouse.  I know the learning curve will take time, but I can't wait to try it.  As usual, great info, thank-you!

[GracefulEmbroidery]

So are you left or right handed? I presume you are left handed as the majority of your work is being done with the pen, and us right handed digitisers would have to put our mouse on the left. I would dearly love to be able to digitise with a pen. I have tried a few times and have failed but I know the technology is out there to do this. Your video was extremely useful addressing something that has not really been covered by video tutorials. I am surprised that Wilcom have not done some videos to show what we can achieve. Thank you so much John.

[HemsandAahsSewing]

I have a wacom tablet but not large enough, I got frustrated trying to use it before. Now I see why after watching this. My equipment wish list just got bigger. LOL.

[MrArturo]

What is the difference between hatch And Wilcom Embroidery E4 that will make a design better or work more efficent?


Iam trying to justify the $3000 differnce?


Hatch $899 & Wilcom Embroidery E4 is $3, 999 I have looked at almost all Hatch Videos and seems really good for Hats and Uniforms for what I will be using it for but dont want to buy Hatch if iam missing something key that the E4 has?

[gingerarnold]

Hi John, Thank you for all of your videos. This is from 2019, do you recommend another tablet? I do not see the link for the one you mentioned on the video. Also the gaming mouse link is no longer available, what model is your mouse please. Thanks again for all your classes online.

[suessewnsew]

I love your videos. I learn soo much. Tell me...can I trace an image of handwriting on Hatch exactly as it originally is and convert to stitches and stitch out? Or do I need the pad to trace it and then send to Hatch to digitize and stich out? Thanks for your help!! Sue

[ansiaaa]

for the shortcuts, instead of the mouse I would suggest to buy one of these peripherals: Logitec G13 or Razor Orbweaver

[ireneclements]

Thank you very much for you advice on the gaming mouse. What is a good PICTEC keyborad to go with the mouse that I can purchase along with the mouse from Amazon link. Too many choices. Just would like a little help on which one of the many would be good enough. Thank you for all of your wonderful lessons.

[alexfagundes]

Hi John, my girlfriend just got a Microsoft Surface Pro and Brother's Embroidery Software (PE Design Plus 2). She's trying to figure out if she can accomplish the same digitizing workflows you're using with Microsoft's Tablet Pen (with the mini glove you showcased), and gaming mouse on the Surface Pro. My assumption is yes since you're doing the same on the Microsoft Studio which is comparable tech - but if you have any feedback or confirmation in regard to her question we'd both really appreciate it!

[ljp]

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge! I have been trying for years to learn to digitize and with your videos I finally think that I am getting somewhere. I have a few questions: should the digitizing software be on a dedicated computer separate from graphic design and other heavy graphics programs? Also, can I use the Wilcom software with the level 1 Dream Course?

[socalgal]

John thank you so much for all your great advice. We have a Ugee 2150 and have had problems switching between display 1 and 2 depending on which side of the Lenvo Yoga 720 we place the tablet on. Have you ever had this problem? If so, any recommendations on a fix?

[desertapparels]

the next mouse you should get is, the logitech g502 wireless. Its the three button layout, with other buttons which you could put as other commands which are useful, at very conveniant locations. Its premium as well.

[sushearer]

Thanks John, great information as always.

[beehaleather]

yes, and thank you so much for the information