Why so many formats?
Manufacturers use proprietary formats (e.g. DST, PES, EXP, VP3, JEF). This creates compatibility issues, since most machines support only a subset. Some formats are low-level stitch formats (just movement/jump/color-change commands), others are hybrid (adding preview/metadata), and a few are high-level (vector/object info for software).
Format categories (explained simply)
-
Low-level (stitch data)
Compact, ideal for machine execution or exchange, but without objects/vectors.
Examples: DST file, EXP file, XXX file, SEW file -
Hybrid (stitches + metadata/preview)
Include additional info like colors, previews, hoop settings.
Examples: PES file, JEF file, HUS file, VIP file, VP3 file -
High-level (software/object formats)
Contain vector shapes, fills, underlays, etc.; not meant to run directly on machines.
(Examples: EMB, ART – more relevant for digitizing software projects.)
Compatibility & conversion
- Choose your machine’s native format whenever possible (e.g. PES for Brother, JEF for Janome, VP3 for Pfaff/Husqvarna).
- Interchange: Low-level formats like DST/EXP are widely accepted.
- Conversion: Exporting to stitch-only formats discards high-level object data → only stitches remain.
- Versioning: Some formats exist in multiple revisions; older machines may require older versions.
Common formats at a glance
- PES file (Brother/Baby Lock): stitches + PEC preview; very common in the home segment.
- DST file (Tajima): very low-level; widely used exchange format.
- EXP file (Melco/Bernina): low-level with clear command encoding.
- JEF file (Janome): stitches, colors, hoop codes; JEF+ adds more data.
- VP3 file (Pfaff/Husqvarna): modern, tag-based format with richer metadata.
- SEW file (Janome/Elna/Kenmore): older, simpler format with bitmap previews.
- VIP file (Husqvarna/Pfaff): compressed format storing threads/colors + stitches.
- HUS file (Husqvarna): compressed, related to VIP; successor is VP3.
- XXX file (Singer/Compucon): machine-level; common in older collections.
Practical tips
- Test before production: Always run a sample, especially after conversions.
- Watch density & stabilizer: Wrong density settings in stitch-only formats only become obvious during embroidery.
- Keep originals: Save your high-level project files alongside machine-ready stitch exports.
FAQ
Why do colors look wrong on my machine?
Color palettes are vendor-specific; what really matters is the order of color changes, not the display color.
More context: Embroidery File Formats: Why Are There So Many?
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