What a VP3 file contains
The VP3 contains a header with the design extents and notes, then one or more colour blocks: each carries the thread name and code, the brand, and the stitch list as relative moves. Trims and stops are explicit. Unlike HUS, VP3 is not compressed and can describe several colourways.
Which machines read VP3
Every Husqvarna Viking Designer (Jade, Topaz, Ruby, Brilliance, Epic) and Pfaff Creative (1.5 to Icon 2), plus Singer Legacy. See Husqvarna Viking and Pfaff.
Opening a VP3 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 VP3 file
From an image: convert an image to VP3. From a Brother file: PES to VP3. Broderly writes threads with their names as defined in the Threads panel.
Technical details
- Extension .vp3; “%vsm%” header, UTF-16 strings, extents in 0.01 mm units in the header.
- One block per colour with the thread (name, code, brand) and stitches in 1 or 3 bytes (relative moves).
- Explicit trims; stops encoded as colour changes.
Frequently asked questions
VP3, VIP or HUS?
VP3 for any machine under fifteen years old. VIP for Designer SE and Diamond before 2010, HUS for Designer I and II. The studio reads all three and writes VP3 and HUS.
Are my thread names kept?
Yes: threads defined in the Threads panel (name, code, brand) are written in the VP3 and shown by the machine.
Go further
The studio is free to draw, open and check designs. Your first machine file takes five minutes.
Updated 2026-09-24.