Artapli Studio Help

What's inside this embroidery file? Size, stitches and colors before you stitch

What's new, and why you'll love it

Design Preview has a fresh look. It now walks you through three steps (add a file → choose a format → preview, print or download), every control has a small ? that explains it, and you can try it right away with try with a free design, even if you have no file at hand. It works in English, German, French, Italian and Spanish, and it's still free with no account.

Design Preview: every file of a ZIP as a card with its picture, size, stitches, time and colors
Design Preview: every file of a ZIP as a card with its picture, size, stitches, time and colors

Short answer: open Design Preview on artapli.shop (menu Apps → Design Preview), drop in your embroidery file or a whole ZIP, and every file shows a picture, its real size in inches and centimeters, the stitch count, a rough stitching time and the number of colors. color steps shows each thread color on its own, in stitch order.

It works with any embroidery file you own, not only Artapli designs. Your file is not changed and nothing is stored.

How to use it

1. Add a file

Go to artapli.shop/pages/embroidery-previewer-app. Drag your file onto the pink box, click choose files, or press try with a free design to see how it works with our free heart applique.

The pink drop box with choose files and try with a free design
The pink drop box with choose files and try with a free design

You can add one file, several at once, or a whole ZIP. The tool reads PES, VP3, XXX, DST, JEF and EXP embroidery files (it also lists HUS and VIP files in a ZIP), plus pictures (SVG, PNG, JPG). You don't need to unzip anything first.

2. Choose a format

The most common format in your files opens first. The format buttons under filter by format (for example PES (10) or DST (10)) switch to the others. Not sure which one your machine reads? See Which embroidery format does my machine use?

The format buttons: DST, EXP, HUS, PES, VIP, VP3, XXX, JEF
The format buttons: DST, EXP, HUS, PES, VIP, VP3, XXX, JEF

If your ZIP has several folders, each folder gets its own row; with one folder you see the cards straight away.

3. Read each card

Every file gets a card with a picture and:

  • Size: width × height in inches and centimeters, measured from the stitches.
  • Stitches: the stitch count.
  • Time: a rough stitching time, worked out from the stitch count, so your machine may be faster or slower.
  • Colors: how many thread colors the file has.
One card: Size, Stitches, Time and Colors, with color steps, print, view big and download file
One card: Size, Stitches, Time and Colors, with color steps, print, view big and download file

Go by the Size line, not the file name: in a font the same letter often comes in several sizes with the same name.

4. See the color steps

Click color steps. A window shows the total stitching time, stitches, colors and size, and one card per thread color in the order your machine asks for them, each with its own small picture.

The color steps window: time, stitches, colors, size and one card per color step
The color steps window: time, stitches, colors, size and one card per color step

5. Print or download

  • print opens a printable page of the color steps, handy next to the machine.
  • view big shows the picture larger.
  • download file saves that one file exactly as it was. From a ZIP, this is the easy way to take only the file you need.
The print, view big and download file buttons on a card
The print, view big and download file buttons on a card

To print a design at its true size with a center cross and a grid, use Print at real size. Bought it from Artapli? Your Library already shows all of this for every size, with no upload: see Will this design fit my hoop?

Good to know

  • DST files don't store thread colors, so their colors are only placeholders. Use the color chart that came with the design.
  • Files stay only while the page is open. Download what you need before you leave.
  • Upload only files you own or have permission to use.

Questions people ask

Is the Design Preview tool free?

Yes. It's on artapli.shop under Apps → Design Preview, and you don't need an account.

Can I use it with designs from other shops?

Yes, with any embroidery file you own. Your license still decides what you may do with the design; the tool only reads the file.

Does it change or keep my file?

No. It reads the file to draw the picture and count stitches and colors. Download gives you back the same file. Nothing is saved; a page refresh clears everything.

Which formats does it read?

PES, VP3, XXX, DST, JEF and EXP embroidery files, ZIP files that contain them, and SVG, PNG and JPG pictures.

Why does my DST file show strange colors?

DST files don't store thread colors, so any colors you see are only placeholders. Use the color chart that came with the design.

How do I take just one file out of my ZIP?

Drop the ZIP in, pick your format, open the folder and click Download on the file you need.

Is the stitching time exact?

No. It's a rough guide from the stitch count. Your machine speed decides the real time.

I bought the design from Artapli. Do I need this tool?

Usually not. Your Library shows the sizes, stitches and colors of every included size, plays the design in Stitch Simulator and downloads one file per size.

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