Export Convertible File

Embird Embroidery Software Tutorial

This tutorial explains how to export a convertible file and how to use it. A convertible file is an executable file that contains the design stitches and also routines for converting the design into many formats with various hoop settings possible. This might be very useful if you want to send the design to a customer via the Internet and allow them to convert and print this design on their computer. The customer does not need to have any embroidery software - he/she will just run the executable file, choose the design format, and print the template if required.

Tip: See also tutorials Export Sew Simulator and Export Printable Documentation.

1 - Run Embird.

2 - Select the design(s) which you want to export in the "Files:" box at the right side of the screen (Picture No. 1). Click the file name to select it. In this example, the SQUIRREL.DST file is selected.

1. Select file

3 - Select menu "Right Panel > Export > Export Convertible File" (Picture No. 2).

2. Select "Export Convertible File" menu

4 - Specify the folder (1) and file name (2) of the exported document (Picture No. 3). Then click the "OK" button to continue (3).

5 - The executable file (squirrel.exe in this example) will be created in the chosen folder. Now you can send this executable file via the Internet to your customer, but first test it on your PC - see the steps below.

Tip: It is recommended to compress the executable file into a .ZIP archive to minimize its size. This will also change the extension of the file from .exe to .zip. Some e-mail programs do not allow sending .exe files, so this solves that problem as well. See also tutorial Creating ZIP Archive.

3. Save to .EXE file

6 - Try to run the exported document - it is the executable file "squirrel.exe". On the first screen, it will show the design preview, its size, stitch count, and color count (Picture No. 4).

7 - Click the "Next" button to continue.

4. Run exported file to test it

8 - Choose the formats into which the design will be converted (1 in Picture No. 5). You can also change some other settings - e.g., insert/remove trimming codes, or shrink the design to fit the available hoop size (2).

9 - Click the "OK" button to continue.

5. Choose embroidery file format

10 - Choose the hoop size for saving the design in the selected format (2). The list contains many options, so it is possible to filter it first (1 in Picture No. 6).

11 - Click the "OK" button to continue.

6. Choose hoop size

12 - In the case of saving to "Babylock, Bernina, Brother .PES" format, it is possible to choose the version of the PES file (Picture No. 7).

7. Select version of PES file

13 - In the case of saving to "Babylock, Bernina, Brother .PES" and "Pfaff .VP3" formats, it is possible to choose the thread catalog (Picture No. 8).

8. Choose thread catalog

14 - It is possible to print the template after converting the design to the target format (Picture No. 9).

9. Optionally, print design template

15 - Choose the printer (Picture No. 10) and then click the "OK" button to continue with printing.

10. Choose printer

16 - It is possible to change the print layout: Depress the left mouse button, move the mouse pointer to a new location, and then release it to specify the position of the hoop with the design (arrow in Picture No. 11).

17 - Double-click the layout area to add some text (arrow 2).

18 - Click the "OK" button to start printing the template.

11. Change print layout

19 - In the case of printing the "Babylock, Bernina, Brother .PES" file, it is possible to print also the sensor sticker which shows the position of the hoop center (Picture No. 12).

12. Print sensor sticker

20 - At the end, the result of the conversion process will be shown (Picture No. 13). The new designs are created in the same folder as the executable file.

13. Conversion completed

21 - Use the printed template for sewing (Picture No. 14). It also contains a list of colors used in the design.

14. Printed template including color list

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