I don't have a Platinum Plus, but I do have a Platinum 950E. I do believe you will have to purchase the software (3D organizer plus) and reader/writer box if you want to download a design from computer and send it to the card. You will also need a blank rewritable card which should come with the reader/writer box.

Why didn't they sell you the used software and R/W box if they were selling the machine?

Embird is great for tweaking designs and such, but it won't send the design to your D-card. I have been playing with Embird for the last couple of months. Am having fun figuring out all the things I can do with it.