The Libraries -

• Overall friendlier interface
• View the Library and the Project Sketchbook items in the same dialog
• Select multiple items to add to the Sketchbook with one click
• Select multiple items and delete them from the Sketchbook with one click
• Ability to sort and delete from the Project Sketchbook from within the Library
• Ability to link to other EQ product libraries from within the Library dialog
• Expanded notecards that can flip and be pinned down for viewing continuous items
• Import items from other EQ projects
• Ability to display more items within the dialog
• Ability to build My Library files for all design items
• Efficient copy and paste procedures for building custom libraries
• Unlimited My Library files
• Easy interface for naming libraries and styles
• Search for blocks by pre-defined categories like construction method or skill level
• Search for fabrics by text or color
• Search for layouts, embroidery or photos by text
• Search for thread by text or color
• Import fabric scans or photo images using BMP, GIF, JPEG, PNG, and TIFF formats
• Import embroidery designs using EXP format
• Addition of a Photo Library
• Addition of a Thread Library
• Ability to create thread by RGB values

The Project Sketchbook -

• Ability to see more than one quilt at a time
• Separate sections for embroidery, photos and thread
• Ability to move the entire dialog
• Expanded notecards that can be flipped and pinned
• Double-click to edit blocks and quilts to the worktable
• Sort capability for all sections
• Context menus for additional functionality specific to the section

Printing and Exporting -

• Rotate templates before printing
• Option for larger key block for template patterns and rotary cutting charts
• Resizable foundation pattern dialog
• Improved labeling of foundation patterns
• Increased control over EQs foundation numbering scheme
• Saving of foundation numbering
• Ability to print partial foundation patterns
• Ability to select setting triangles and print clipped blocks patterns
• Mirror option for printing blocks
• Prints template patterns for text set on quilt
• Export metafiles with fill color or with outline and fill
• Export high resolution images in BMP, GIF, JPEG, PNG, and TIFF formats

Quilt Worktable -

• New on-point layout style
• More options for locking sliders so they move together instead of separately
• More size information readily available within the palettes
• Two new border styles
• Ability to hide or show layers on the quilt as you're designing
• Option for always starting with a 4x4 horizontal layout
• Default border style is user settable
• Create a custom quilt layout from a block drawing with just a click
• Rulers for the quilt worktable
• Adjustable origin for the quilt rulers
• New Set Applique Text tool
• New Random Recolor tool
• New Set Auto Borders tool
• New Set Photo tool
• New Set Embroidery tool
• New Thread tools
• New Rotate Fabric tool
• New Erase Block tool
• New Paintbrush tools for freehand coloring of patches
• Friendlier interface for viewing block colorings and selecting a coloring
• Ability to add a plain block
• New position for the graph pad
• Ability to center a block in the quilt
• Fussy cut positioning of fabric is saved with the quilt

Block Worktable -

• New precision bar for easier drawing board adjustments
• Ability to draw pieced PatchDraw blocks
• Addition of special grids: 8 point star, circle, arc, kaleidoscope, octagon
• New PolyDraw tools
• Settable grid dot size
• Settable color for grid dots
• Ability to hide or show layers on the block as you're drawing
• Ability to center selected segments
• New Ellipse tool for drawing applique
• New Rectangle tool for drawing applique
• New Brush Stroke tool for drawing applique
• New Freehand tool for drawing applique
• Shape Bezier curves by dragging directly on the curve
• Auto selection of segment as soon as it's drawn
• Tool specific precision bars for greater customization of drawing techniques
• Saving of fussy cut position of fabric
• Auto fill when patches are closed using PatchDraw
• Saving of open patches
• Adjust the stacking order of patching on the drawing layer or the color layer
• Serendipity options for creating new blocks by tilting, merging or framing
• Block palette on the color tab for quick editing of blocks
• Improved options for importing an image for tracing.

Overall -

• Fabric scales based on the size of the block or quilt
• Most Recently Used Fabrics appear at the top of the fabrics palette
• Add and remove tools from toolbar
• Display large or small tools
• Customize the style of the tools
• Flyout tools for greater flexibility of tools
• Ability to restore to original default settings
• Large video screen with more videos
• Quick quilt projects
• Dynamic Toolhelp window
• Worktable tools for quickly changing worktables
• Implementation of an intro splash screen
• Tip of the Day option on startup or from the Help menu

General System Requirements:

• Windows XP or Vista
• Internet access for activation (4 activations included)
• CD-ROM drive
• 700 MB of hard drive space
• monitor with screen resolution of 1024 x 768 or greater
• sound card recommended for demo videos

Additional Requirements for EQ5 to EQ6 Upgrade: EQ5 must be installed for the installation to work.

Will not run on Windows 95, 98, ME, NT4, or 2000! - These computers lack Windows files from Microsoft that are needed for the quilting program to run properly, which cannot be installed on these operating systems.

"I don't have Windows XP or Vista, will EQ6 work on my computer?" - No, EQ6 only runs on Windows XP and newer operating systems.

"Will EQ6 run on my Mac?" - Electric Quilt 6 is a PC program. To run on a Mac, the Mac must be able to run PC programs, and would have to have Windows emulation software, such as Virtual PC (XP version) installed. Or have Parallels software installed. VMWare Fusions is not recommended. We do not have Mac computers here, and cannot tech support them.

"I don't have internet access; will I be able to install Electric Quilt 6?" - No. We're sorry, but internet access is necessary. Once the program is installed and activated, internet access is no longer required.