PES vs VP3: which embroidery format should you use?
PES is Brother's format, used by Brother and Baby Lock home machines; VP3 is Husqvarna Viking / Pfaff's, used by Husqvarna Viking and Pfaff home machines. Both store thread colors. The stitches are the same in both, so use the one your machine reads and convert when you need the other.
| Feature | PES | VP3 |
|---|---|---|
| Made by | Brother | Husqvarna Viking / Pfaff |
| Machines | Brother, Baby Lock | Husqvarna Viking, Pfaff |
| Mainly used on | Brother and Baby Lock home machines | Husqvarna Viking and Pfaff home machines |
| Stores thread colors | Yes | Yes |
| File extension | .pes | .vp3 |
Choose PES if…
… you sew on a Brother or Baby Lock machine, or share files with Brother owners.
PES is the format Brother's embroidery machines and PE-Design use. Baby Lock machines are built on the same platform and read PES too.
Choose VP3 if…
… you sew on a Husqvarna Viking or Pfaff machine, or use mySewnet.
VP3 is the current embroidery format of Husqvarna Viking and Pfaff machines and their mySewnet software.
Turn any image into PES or VP3
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- Colors matched to real thread charts
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PES vs VP3 questions
The quickest way to see what it does with your artwork is to try it. With a free account, digitizing and previewing cost nothing and take about a minute.
What's the difference between PES and VP3?
PES is Brother's format, used by Brother and Baby Lock home machines; VP3 is Husqvarna Viking / Pfaff's, used by Husqvarna Viking and Pfaff home machines. Both store thread colors. The stitches are the same in both, so use the one your machine reads and convert when you need the other.
Can I convert PES to VP3?
Yes. Open the .pes file in the free PES to VP3 converter and save it as .vp3. The stitches carry over exactly; thread colors are matched to the closest threads.
Does converting between PES and VP3 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, PES or VP3?
Neither is better in itself. Use PES if you sew on a Brother or Baby Lock machine, or share files with Brother owners; use VP3 if you sew on a Husqvarna Viking or Pfaff machine, or use mySewnet.
How do I make a file in either format from an image?
Upload the image to the digitizer, check the stitch preview and download PES, VP3 or any other format. Digitizing and previewing are free with an account.
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