VP3 vs XXX: which embroidery format should you use?
VP3 is Husqvarna Viking / Pfaff's format, used by Husqvarna Viking and Pfaff home machines; XXX is Singer / Compucon's, used by Singer 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 | VP3 | XXX |
|---|---|---|
| Made by | Husqvarna Viking / Pfaff | Singer / Compucon |
| Machines | Husqvarna Viking, Pfaff | Singer, Compucon |
| Mainly used on | Husqvarna Viking and Pfaff home machines | Singer home machines |
| Stores thread colors | Yes | Yes |
| File extension | .vp3 | .xxx |
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.
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 VP3 or XXX
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VP3 vs XXX questions
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What's the difference between VP3 and XXX?
VP3 is Husqvarna Viking / Pfaff's format, used by Husqvarna Viking and Pfaff home machines; XXX is Singer / Compucon's, used by Singer 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 VP3 to XXX?
Yes. Open the .vp3 file in the free VP3 to XXX converter and save it as .xxx. The stitches carry over exactly; thread colors are matched to the closest threads.
Does converting between VP3 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, VP3 or XXX?
Neither is better in itself. Use VP3 if you sew on a Husqvarna Viking or Pfaff machine, or use mySewnet; 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 VP3, XXX or any other format. Digitizing and previewing are free with an account.
More format comparisons
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