'Autodigi'..an opinion.

Factually, 'autodigi' is more of a sales talk thing in the big picture. Unless you have very good vector art, automatic conversion is really hit and miss. Most people see a few slick looking auto conversions which can look nice optically..so if u see that at shows etc, then it can 'wow' you easily. 'Control' is what everyone seeks, but not what everyone can just get!

Embroidery has a LOT of 'behind the scenes' operations , so the matter of getting a 'productive file' from that 'autodigi' package is a whole different matter:)

Some operations can require nothing more than an ' instant -embroidery result', and that may suit their business model perfectly. Other business models may have lots more to consider, and automatic digitizing in cases is just totally avoided.

'Auto-Digitizing' is really a spiffy software sales hook. When decompressed to reality there are many aspects worth great consideration if you are in business for the long haul and intend to produce quality work.

There are 2 levels of 'auto-digitizing' 

The 'easier' one is to do with ready vector artwork. (emf,wmf,eps vector,cdr vector,ai vector files etc)

The other, is to do with raster art (jpg/bitmap/tiff etc)

To use 'autodigi' well, you do need to have substantial knowledge of vectors, layers, how to combine/break/modify etc..then you can get reasonable quality results.

If you are trying to autodigitize from raster images (jpeg/bitmap etc), then your are on totally different turf that can require lots of cleanup..a lot of time modifying and perfecting shapes. If you look at the outline recognition , these shapes can have hundreds of nodes..so cleaning/shaping etc can end up being tedious.

Most people only figure this out after a while..Low level software is what most may call a 'bait product'..It comes out with a lot of hype, but actually does nothing much..so, even simple features can be half-features..then you get ' well, to do that well, you really need to have level x,y or z ':)..then, most are upgrading etc.Most go even to high software levels thinking they will get 'more' in auto digi..the reality however is that unless you have great art, 'autodigitizing' can usually be very counterproductive and time consuming , so the very sales point that many buy on..can just put your biz in a ditch.

If you are wanting to get proficient in auto digi, then you first have to get proficient in vector/raster graphics..then when you understand all the principles involved there, your autodigi attempts will have much higher success rates. Learning the digitizing tools is also important, because whatever you autodigi will require some reworking..and you will find that a lot of your finishing tasks will actually require  you to do some additional work.

So in essence..all considered, there is no magic bullet to instant embroidery. If you look at 99% of your customer base, the chance of someone sending you finished vector art is very slim. Most people are either getting a screenshot from a website..a magazine cutting ..combinations of these and even hand drawn art. In some cases, autodigi is a cool assistance..but when you do the realtime math of manually digitizing most designs, and 'autodigi'..you will actually find the former to be much faster when you consider all that has to go into vector/raster preparations.

There is a certain level of work that is deemed 'acceptable' by many different levels of businesses within the multidecorative community. Some will swear by autodigitizing, as their client base may find instant results 'great'. (It's true really...I have seen designs that are actually technically bizarre to me, get rave reviews)..so at many levels it can be 'embroidery candy is in the eye of the beholder.' It is after all an art form, so the lines do blur easily.

I have to state that this is my opinion, as a professional digitizer. It may differ vastly from the opinion of the broader community, but it is based on solid principles that can really be tested. (Well..nobody will ever really test that, or 'autodigi' software sales may plummet..LOL)..

That said there are some very fine aspects of 'autodigi' that are excellent in the hands of a professional. I always have an opinion on this subject from time to time as advancements have occurred over the last few years, but my view does deviate very little from the thoughts expressed here.

It is just prudent to be practical about what can/cannot be achieved during the varying implementations of embroidery processes. This is the only way to utilize tools at your disposal to their maximum capability. If you are fluent in graphics then you will find flip-flops between auto-digitizing/manual digitizing a very neat way to get your work done faster.