Bead design software

I've been reading through the archives here and there hasn't been a
good discussion on sofware to use for designing beadwork.

I've done some searching and also own several programs.

What I am looking for is simple.

1. A chance to download the program for a trial. This is vital as I've
already spent far too much money on programs that I ended up not using.

2. Ease of use. I have two programs that are almost inpenetrable to
use. My benchmark is the cross-stitch program I use (PatternMaker Pro)
which would be ideal for beads if they had a bead palette. I am in the
middle of working on one for Delicas but it's a massive undertaking and
only gets done in my very rare spare time. It is also only useful for
loomed pieces as the grid is set for needlework so it's simply a square
grid, so no use for anything else.
3. Bead palettes. Yes. That's the one. The big one. I want to be
able to swap between Delicas or seed beads or whatever. They're all
based on RGB values anyway so swapping from one to another is not
impossible, it just means that someone has to produce the palettes. If
I were locked away for a month with lots of tea, ginger biscuits and no
distractions I'd have them already.
4. Layout. That's vital. PatternMaker does this nicely, they give a
wondrous layout tool. If I could finally convince Scott to put out a
version for beading, I'd be a happy bunny!

Anyone have any thoughts on particular programs, pros and cons?

-Su

Wow... I was just posting a message concerning the software I have
just written. Check it out. I plan on being able to do everything
you've specified. Play with it and provide suggestions. I would be
happy to implement. Let others know if you like it. I've only got one
palette in the program right now, but it's easy enough to create more.
I just haven't had the time to translate rgb values for beads other
than the 50 I already have. I'll make sure I add more soon!

http://easybeadpatterns.com

Mike

Su wrote:
I've been reading through the archives here and there hasn't been a
good discussion on sofware to use for designing beadwork.

I've done some searching and also own several programs.

What I am looking for is simple.

1. A chance to download the program for a trial. This is vital as I've
already spent far too much money on programs that I ended up not using.

2. Ease of use. I have two programs that are almost inpenetrable to
use. My benchmark is the cross-stitch program I use (PatternMaker Pro)
which would be ideal for beads if they had a bead palette. I am in the
middle of working on one for Delicas but it's a massive undertaking and
only gets done in my very rare spare time. It is also only useful for
loomed pieces as the grid is set for needlework so it's simply a square
grid, so no use for anything else.
3. Bead palettes. Yes. That's the one. The big one. I want to be
able to swap between Delicas or seed beads or whatever. They're all
based on RGB values anyway so swapping from one to another is not
impossible, it just means that someone has to produce the palettes. If
I were locked away for a month with lots of tea, ginger biscuits and no
distractions I'd have them already.
4. Layout. That's vital. PatternMaker does this nicely, they give a
wondrous layout tool. If I could finally convince Scott to put out a
version for beading, I'd be a happy bunny!

Anyone have any thoughts on particular programs, pros and cons?

-Su