Embroidery Machine Guide

Embroidery file formats

.ART embroidery files (Bernina embroidery design file)

ART is Bernina's design file, made and edited in Bernina embroidery software. It is not the file Bernina machines read: OESD says the B 990, B 830, 7 Series and B 580 need EXP. Open the ART in Bernina software and save it as Bernina USB EXP.

Extension.ART
Comes fromBernina
Native onBernina
Stores thread colours?Yes
Editable outlines?Yes
Machines in our guide that read it0

About .ART files

ART is the design format of Bernina's embroidery software. Wilcom lists it as Bernina's version of its own EMB design format and treats it as a design file, not a machine file. EduTechWiki says ART shares a code base with EMB and is a hybrid: a container holding design information, compressed stitch data, an icon and a bitmap preview.

That is why ART is worth keeping. A design in ART can be resized and re-edited in Bernina software, which a machine file such as EXP cannot do well. Wilcom says scaling a machine file by more than about 10 percent lowers stitch quality.

The machine side is different. OESD says Bernina's B 990, B 830, 7 Series and B 580 need EXP, and the B 630 and B 640 also read it. If a design pack gives only ART, open it in your Bernina software and save it as Bernina USB EXP. That makes three files: .exp, .inf and .bmp.

Outside Bernina's software, ART support is limited. mySewnet loads ART versions 1 to 3 but cannot save it. Embrilliance Essentials reads several ART versions but cannot write them, and Wilcom's software reads ART but does not write it.

How to convert .ART files

  • To stitch an ART design, open it in your Bernina software and save it as Bernina USB EXP. Copy the .exp, .inf and .bmp files to the USB stick together.
  • Choose Bernina USB EXP, not Melco EXP, when you save. Melco EXP writes only the .exp file, with no thread colors.
  • Keep the ART file as your master. Export machine files from it, not the other way round.
  • To use an ART on another brand, open it in Embrilliance Essentials, which reads ART, and save it in the format your machine needs.

Machines that read .ART files

None of the machines in our guide list .ART as a format they read. Convert it first.

Frequently asked questions

Can a Bernina machine read ART files?

OESD says the B 990, B 830, 7 Series and B 580 need EXP, so open the ART in Bernina software and save it as Bernina USB EXP. Check your manual for other models.

What is the difference between ART and EXP?

ART is a design file for software, which can be re-edited. EXP is the machine file. Bernina USB EXP comes as three files, .exp, .inf and .bmp, while ART is a single file.

Can I open an ART file without Bernina software?

Partly. Embrilliance Essentials reads several ART versions and mySewnet loads versions 1 to 3, but neither can save ART. Convert the design to a machine format.

Does ART keep thread colors?

Normally yes. ART is Bernina's version of Wilcom's EMB design file, and EMB stores thread colors. Check the colors after you open it.

Other formats

Sources