Dorothy, I have the regular version of DesignShop (The one a step down from the Pro version.) This one does allow editing and manual digitizing which I have found to be very easy to use. I was already familar with digitizing before I purchased DesignShop though another software program called Q-Moritz (I don't know if they are still in business.) Learning DesignShop wasn't hard for me anyways. With the version of DesignShop I have, you can eliminate colors or move fill stiching as long as the design hasn't been saved as a EXP format. CND or OFM format is best for this. There is no automatic shadow effect but you can copy and paste with color changes to create a shadow effect (probably not the same as pro+) So far, DesignShop has done everything I need it to do. There is a chart on Melco's website that tells you what each version of DesignShop's features are. If you have an EDS version of software now, your salesperson should be able to sell you the upgrade at a discount. From: DLCompton@xxxxxxx To: amayausers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Date: Sun, 9 Apr 2006 23:27:36 EDT Hi all, I'm considering purchasing a version of Design Shop. Although I don't anticipate doing any digitizing, editing ease is important. I believe Jeff told me that shadowing text was a feature only available in Pro+. Is this correct? Secondly, does DS allow easy elimination of stitches when you place one design on top of another (combining)? If so, what version makes this the easiest (i.e. automatic?)? I have a demo of DS Pro+ version 4. Does this version have any of these features? I'd love to check it out. Maybe I need to get a new demo. Dorothy Compton Bee Embroidered _www.BeeEmbroidered.com_ (http://www.beeembroidered.com/) (916) 635-7467 Rancho Cordova, CA