OVERVIEW

Bernina ART (Artista) is Bernina's professional embroidery software, built on

Wilcom technology. It offers full digitizing and editing capabilities.

SOFTWARE VERSIONS

• Bernina ART v3
• Bernina ART v4
• Bernina ART v5 (current as of 2025)
• Bernina Artista (older branding)

RELATIONSHIP TO WILCOM

Bernina ART is Wilcom software with Bernina branding

• Same features as Wilcom E4
• ESA font format support
• Full digitizing tools
• Bernina-specific optimizations

USING ARTAPLI DESIGNS IN BERNINA ART

Importing Designs

1. Download and extract Artapli ZIP
2. Open Bernina ART
3. File > Open Design
4. Select EXP or DST format
5. Design loads ready for editing or export

Best Format for Bernina ART

• EXP (Bernina native) - preserves all data
• EMB (Wilcom native) - if available, full editability
• DST - universal but less data

FONT MAPPING IN BERNINA ART

Bernina ART supports ESA fonts identically to Wilcom

Installing Artapli ESA Fonts

1. Locate ESA file in Artapli download
2. Bernina ART > Lettering > Font Manager
3. Click "Add Font"
4. Select ESA file
5. Font appears in lettering dropdown

Typing with Mapped Fonts

1. Select Text tool
2. Choose Artapli font from list
3. Type text - letters appear with automatic spacing
4. Adjust size, spacing, baseline as needed

BERNINA ART EDITING CAPABILITIES

What you can safely do with Artapli designs

• Change colors
• Combine multiple designs
• Add text/monograms
• Export to different machine formats
• Rotate or mirror (non-directional designs)

What to avoid

• Auto-optimization of specialty designs
• Resizing fringe/puffy designs
• Converting formats unnecessarily
• Removing "unnecessary" small stitches (they're intentional)

BERNINA-SPECIFIC FEATURES

Bernina ART includes features for Bernina machines

• Direct USB export to Bernina format
• Bernina thread palette pre-loaded
• Hoop templates for all Bernina hoops
• Machine compatibility checker

DESIGN CONVERSION IN BERNINA ART

When converting between formats, follow same rules as Wilcom

• Disable automatic optimization
• Keep original stitch data
• Never convert specialty effect designs
• See "Wilcom File Conversion" section for details

BERNINA ART PROJECT WORKFLOW

1. Import Artapli design (EXP or DST)
2. Edit if needed (colors, positioning)
3. Combine with other elements
4. Save as Bernina ART project (.ART file) for future editing
5. Export to EXP format for machine
6. Transfer to USB
7. Load on Bernina machine

LICENSING AND VERSIONS

Bernina ART pricing tiers

• Basic: Design editing only
• Plus: Editing + simple digitizing
• Pro: Full professional digitizing

All tiers can use Artapli designs. Font mapping requires Plus or Pro tier.

BERNINA ART TROUBLESHOOTING

Issue: ESA font won't import

A: Check Bernina ART version. Older versions may not support newer ESA format.

Update software or contact Artapli for compatible version.

Issue: Design looks different after opening

A: Check if auto-optimization is enabled. Disable in Preferences.

Issue: Export creates different file size

A: Normal. Different formats store data differently. Verify stitch count and

dimensions match original.

LEARNING RESOURCES

Bernina provides extensive training

• Bernina ART Mastery courses
• YouTube tutorials
• Dealer demonstrations
• Wilcom tutorials also apply (same engine)

For Artapli-specific questions

• Contact Artapli support
• Reference Wilcom guides (technology is identical)
• Check FAQ at artapli.shop/pages/faq

SEE ALSO

• Guide: "Alphabet Fonts with Your Bernina"
• Guide: "Files in Wilcom" (applies to Bernina ART)
• Guide: "About ESA Files and Font Mapping"