What happens to your DST file
Both formats are colourless and close cousins, so this is about as clean as conversion gets. The stitches stay put and stops stay as stops. The three jump trim signal in a DST is read as a real trim command in the EXP.
| Stitch positions | Identical, to 0.1 mm |
|---|---|
| Colour stops | Same number, same order |
| Thread colours | Neither file has any |
| Size and density | Unchanged |
Thread colours
Neither DST nor EXP stores thread colours, so there is nothing to lose. The stops carry over as stops, and you choose threads at the machine. The colours you set in Hoopbench are for the preview and the run sheet only.
Long moves
EXP can move 12.7 mm in one record and DST only 12.1 mm, so everything fits. Chains of jumps from the DST file stay as jumps.
Trims
EXP has a real trim command, so cuts carry across as cuts.
Before you stitch
- Open the .dst file above and watch it sew, so you know the file is sound and in the order you expect.
- Choose your hoop under Hoop fit. The check uses the design's real size, not the file's header.
- Pick your thread colours under Colour stops, because DST doesn't hold them.
- Download the .exp file, and stitch a test piece on matching fabric and stabiliser.
Converting doesn't resize a design or change its density. If a design needs to be much bigger or smaller, use digitising software, as stretching stitches without recalculating them can leave gaps or heavy spots.
About DST
DST is the file most digitisers deliver, because almost every commercial machine can sew it. It starts with a 512 byte text header holding the design name, stitch count and extents, followed by three bytes for every stitch.
Thread colours and thread names. A DST only says "stop and change thread here".
About EXP
EXP is the expanded format from Melco, also widely used with Bernina. It has no header at all: the file is simply two bytes per stitch, with control codes for jumps, trims and colour changes.
The EXP file is for Melco machines and Bernina machines and software. Melco and Bernina users, and a simple exchange file where a header is not needed.
With no header, a damaged EXP can look valid. Hoopbench checks that the stitches make sense and tells you if they do not.