I thought you would like to see one design open in several software programmes. Before that, here’s an explanation of the difference between design files (Grade A) and machine files (Grade C) — I touched on this in my last video.

Compare the workflow and file grades in the video.

What a design (Grade A) file contains

The native design file created during digitizing (Grade A) contains all editable objects — satin stitches, fills and outlines — so the digitizer can adjust properties, shapes, sizes and rotations without compromising the stitches. Most design packages also offer a simulated stitch-out preview to check colour sequence, trims and jumps.

What a machine (Grade C) file contains

To stitch on a machine you need a machine file (Grade C). I convert my design files to VP3 for testing, then export other machine formats. The original design file remains the digitizer’s working file; customers license machine files only. Machine files contain the finished stitches and limited editable information — you can edit a bit in software, but not as freely as a Grade A file. Avoid scaling beyond ±10%, and avoid scaling at all when motif stitches or outlines are used, since excessive manipulation can compromise the design.

Screenshots: Hatch (design vs machine)

Below: Daily Freebie 4 opened as a Grade A (design) file in Hatch — objects are true editable objects and you can inspect sequence and thread dockers.

Daily Freebie 4 opened as a Grade A design in Hatch showing object sequence
Grade A design opened in Hatch (objects and dockers visible).

When the same design is loaded as a Grade C (machine) file the sequence shows grouped stitches rather than editable objects — for example the boomerang shapes are stitch groups for each side section of the blue star.

Daily Freebie 4 opened as a Grade C machine file in Hatch showing grouped stitch objects
Grade C machine file opened in Hatch (groups of stitches).

Wilcom example

Here is the embroidery (digitizing – Grade A) file loaded in the Wilcom EmbroiderySuite. You can see that this software is far more complicated as it has many icons and tools. 

If you need to check on what type of embroidery file you have the type is indicated in its name, whether it has a format like PES at the end. You can also check its properties in your software by looking at the design information. 

I hope this has been helpful in understanding a little more about your embroidery files and what you can do with them and what is best to avoid. Let me know if you have any questions. This is a vast topic and I have only touched upon it. 

(this blog was posted in 2023 on my old website)

Happy emboidering from Hazel 

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