Inkstich is the best option right now, but I can't wait to see the new possibilities now with AI. Inkstitch feels very disadvantaged by being a plugin, everything you do requires navigating multiple layers deep in the inkscape plugin menu.

A from scratch embroidery program could lift all of these options to the top layer UI where they belong, but understandably rebuilding the whole editor part is a lot of code.

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mft_ a day ago | parent [-]

I agree. I recently learned the basics making a few designs for a friend, and:

a) the UI/UX is really bad

b) it surprised me how much of the process is manual. (Maybe it shouldn’t, since it’s essentially a CAM process and even high end CAM packages for CNC require a lot of skilled human input)

Definitely potential for improvement.

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guax a day ago | parent [-]

I think is more akin to slicing for 3d printing than CAM since its additive. CNC suffers from having to deal with stock, fixtures, tool geometry. All variables that are non trivial, 3d printing and stitching seem not to have it.

You do have tons of options for stitch patterns and things that 3d prints bake in the design but I’m sure something more automatic is doable.

	▲	mft_ 10 hours ago \| parent [-]
		Fair point. A slicer is a good analogy, as at a basic level one can throw a model in and it will print, but human input is still sometimes required for optimal outputs - e.g. print orientation, dealing with overhangs, optimising strength via wall thickness and infill tweaks, etc. Definitely agree that a mostly-automated stitch generator should be possible.