Artapli Studio Help
My ZIP has hundreds of files: which ones do I need?
Short answer: you need one format (the one your machine reads) in one size (the one that fits your hoop). Everything else in the ZIP is the same design for other machines and other hoops. The free ZIP Manager tool on artapli.shop opens the ZIP for you, shows every file with its machine brands, size, stitches and colors, and lets you download just the files you need.
Bought it from Artapli? You don't need the ZIP at all. In your Library you choose your format and download the one file for the size you want: see I can't download my purchase, or I got the wrong file type.
Why a ZIP has so many files
A design or font usually comes in several sizes, and each size in seven or more machine formats (PES, DST, JEF, VP3, EXP, HUS, XXX…). A font adds one file per letter on top of that. So 3 sizes × 8 formats × 60 letters is already over a thousand files, and you only ever use one format.
- Find your format. Brother and Baby Lock read PES, Janome reads JEF, Husqvarna Viking and Pfaff read VP3, Bernina reads EXP, and most commercial machines read DST. Details: Which embroidery format does my machine use?
- Find your size. Pick the size whose width × height fits inside your hoop's stitching area with room to spare: Will this design fit my hoop?
- Ignore the rest. Other formats, PDF instructions and pictures are useful, but your machine only needs the file in your format and size.
Steps
1. Open ZIP Manager and choose your ZIP
Go to artapli.shop/pages/app-embroidery-analyzer (or Apps → ZIP Manager in the shop menu). Drop your ZIP onto the box, or click Choose ZIP File. Don't unzip it first; the tool wants the ZIP itself.
You add one ZIP at a time. While it works you see Analyzing your ZIP file….
2. See everything that's inside
The tool lists every embroidery file, for example 12 embroidery files — 12 total in ZIP. Each card shows:
- the format badge (PES, DST…) and the machine brands that read it, such as Brother · Babylock · Bernina or Most machines,
- the stitch count, the width × height and a rough stitching time,
- the thread colors stored in the file, as small dots.
A yellow note Colors not stored — assign manually means the format (DST or EXP) keeps no thread colors. That is normal; use the design's color chart.
Switch in / cm at the top to change the units.
3. Sort it so your files are together
Use the buttons at the top:
- Format puts all PES files together, all DST files together, and so on.
- Folder keeps the ZIP's own folders. In most packages the folder name tells you the size, like …/1.4IN/DST, so this is the quickest way to find "my format in my size".
- Size groups by stitch count (small, medium, large), not by measurements. To compare measurements, read the width × height on each card.
- All shows one flat list.
4. Check one file before you download
Click Details on a card. You see which machines read the format and its limits, plus Stitch Count, Colors, Width, Height, Est. Time, Format and the Thread Colors list.
5. Download only what you need
Click Download File in the details, or Download on the card. You get that one file, ready for your USB stick. Repeat for each file you need, for example every letter of your name in your format and size.
Print Catalog makes a printable sheet of all the files with picture, stitches, size, colors and time, for a binder next to your machine. + New ZIP starts again with another ZIP.
If something looks wrong
- A card shows a needle icon instead of the design. The picture didn't load. The numbers on the card are still right. Open Details to try again.
- Download didn't work, or the downloaded file is missing. Click it again. If it keeps failing, open the same ZIP in Design Preview: it also lists the files by format and its Download saves the file straight from your own ZIP.
- "File is not a valid ZIP archive." The file isn't a ZIP (or the download was cut short). Download the ZIP again from the shop. RAR and 7z archives don't work here.
- "ZIP file too large (max 200 MB)" or "ZIP contains too many files (max 1000)". Split the job: unzip on your computer and drop a smaller folder in as a new ZIP, or open single files in Design Preview.
- My files are gone. The list is kept for about 30 minutes and is cleared when you refresh the page. Download what you need before you leave, or add the ZIP again.
- Colors shows 0. That file's format (DST, EXP) stores no colors. Use the color chart that came with the design.
- I see the same letter many times. That's one per size and per format. Use Folder to see which size each one is.
Related
- I can't download my purchase, or I got the wrong file type
- Which embroidery format does my machine use?
- Get the design onto your machine
- Will this design fit my hoop?
- What's inside this embroidery file?
Questions people ask
Do I need all the files in the ZIP?
No. You need one format (the one your machine reads) in one size (the one that fits your hoop). The rest are the same design for other machines and hoops.
Which format is mine?
Brother and Baby Lock: PES. Janome: JEF. Husqvarna Viking and Pfaff: VP3. Bernina: EXP. Most commercial machines: DST. Check your machine's manual if you're unsure.
How do I know which folder is which size?
The folder name usually says it, like "1.4in" or "10cm". In ZIP Manager click Folder, or read the width × height on each card.
Do I have to unzip the file first?
No. ZIP Manager opens the ZIP for you and lets you download single files from it.
Is ZIP Manager free? Can I use ZIPs from other shops?
Yes to both, for files you own. The tool only reads your ZIP; your design license still applies.
How big can the ZIP be?
Up to 200 MB and 1000 files, with no single file over 50 MB.
Why does it say "Colors not stored"?
DST and EXP files don't save thread colors. That's normal for those formats; use the design's color chart.
I bought from Artapli. Is there an easier way?
Yes. In your Library pick your format and download the one file for the size you want, with no ZIP to open.