What a PES file contains
A PES contains a PES section (design information: version, object blocks on recent versions) and a PEC section, the only one the machine needs: the stitch list in relative coordinates, colour changes indexed in the 64-thread Brother palette, jumps and trims, and a monochrome thumbnail shown on the machine screen. Versions run from 1 (oldest, most universal) to 10; every machine reads version 1.
Which machines read PES
Every Brother embroidery machine (PE-535 to PR1055X), every Baby Lock, recent Bernina (590, 790, 880, 990, bernette 70 and 79), Singer SE9180 and 9185, most domestic Chinese machines. See Brother.
Opening a PES file
Drop it above or open the viewer: the design appears in relief with colours, stitch count, size and estimated run time. A whole folder opens as thumbnails. The file is read in your browser and sent nowhere.
Producing a PES file
From an image: convert a JPG to PES, a PNG or an SVG. From text: text to embroidery. From another file: DST to PES. Broderly writes PES version 1 with a PEC section, Brother palette and thumbnail, read by every machine.
Technical details
- Extension .pes; header “#PES0001” to “#PES0100” by version.
- Stitches encoded in 2 or 3 bytes in the PEC section, relative moves, 0.1 mm unit; jumps and trims by command bits.
- Colours: index into the 64-thread Brother palette; versions 6 and up add named threads in the PES section.
- PEC thumbnail: 48 × 38 monochrome bitmap, one per colour plus one overall.
Frequently asked questions
Does PES lose colours when converted?
To DST or EXP, colours leave the file (those formats have none) but stay on the run sheet. To JEF and VP3 they are kept and matched to the target palette.
How do I open a PES without software?
With the free online viewer, in the browser.
Go further
The studio is free to draw, open and check designs. Your first machine file takes five minutes.
Updated 2026-09-24.