EXP vs XXX: which embroidery format should you use?
EXP is Melco's format, used by Melco commercial and Bernina home machines; XXX is Singer / Compucon's, used by Singer home machines. XXX stores thread colors; EXP doesn't, so keep a color sheet with it. The stitches are the same in both, so use the one your machine reads and convert when you need the other.
| Feature | EXP | XXX |
|---|---|---|
| Made by | Melco | Singer / Compucon |
| Machines | Melco, Bernina | Singer, Compucon |
| Mainly used on | Melco commercial and Bernina home machines | Singer home machines |
| Stores thread colors | No (color stops only) | Yes |
| File extension | .exp | .xxx |
Choose EXP if…
… you sew on a Bernina or a Melco machine.
EXP comes from Melco's commercial machines and is one of the formats Bernina embroidery machines read directly.
Choose XXX if…
… you sew on a Singer machine that reads XXX.
XXX is the format of Singer embroidery machines such as the Futura series, and of the Compucon software they were developed with.
Turn any image into EXP or XXX
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EXP vs XXX questions
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What's the difference between EXP and XXX?
EXP is Melco's format, used by Melco commercial and Bernina home machines; XXX is Singer / Compucon's, used by Singer home machines. XXX stores thread colors; EXP doesn't, so keep a color sheet with it. The stitches are the same in both, so use the one your machine reads and convert when you need the other.
Can I convert EXP to XXX?
Yes. Open the .exp file in the free EXP to XXX converter and save it as .xxx. The stitches carry over exactly; thread colors are matched to the closest threads.
Does converting between EXP and XXX lose quality?
No. Both formats store the same needle positions, so the design sews the same. What can change is the color information and any software-only extras, not the stitches.
Which is better, EXP or XXX?
Neither is better in itself. Use EXP if you sew on a Bernina or a Melco machine; use XXX if you sew on a Singer machine that reads XXX.
How do I make a file in either format from an image?
Upload the image to the digitizer, check the stitch preview and download EXP, XXX or any other format. Digitizing and previewing are free with an account.
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