Exporting
Exporting converts the design objects into a file that the embroidery machine can read. Before saving, review the hoop, the generated stitches, the object order, and the machine origin.
Before exporting
| Icon | Check |
|---|---|
| The design fits within the usable area of the hoop. You can change it in Canvas Settings. | |
| The stitch preview does not show loose travel or unnecessary jumps. | |
| The player confirms the embroidery order. | |
| The Objects list has the final order and colors. | |
| The machine origin is set as your machine expects. | |
You have saved the .any project so you can adjust it later. |
The export includes only objects with generated stitches. If you changed
parameters and they have not been regenerated yet, use Generate Stitches
(Ctrl+Shift+G) before exporting.
Machine Origin
The machine origin is the point in the design that becomes (0,0) on export. It does not move the objects on the canvas: it only changes the file's coordinate system.
How to open it
-
Machine Origin button in the right sidebar.
- Main menu → File → Export → Machine Origin….
- In the export dialog, Set Machine Origin….
How it is applied
- The Machine Origin dialog opens.
- Choose one of the nine positions in the 3 × 3 grid.
- Review the description of the selected position.
- Click Apply Machine Origin.
The sidebar button stays active when the origin is set. The origin is saved with the project and applied to all formats.
| Position | Name in the interface |
|---|---|
| Top left | Top left |
| Top center | Top center |
| Top right | Top right |
| Middle left | Center left |
| Center | Center |
| Middle right | Center right |
| Bottom left | Bottom left |
| Bottom center | Bottom center |
| Bottom right | Bottom right |
If you never set the origin, the export uses the canvas center, which does not necessarily match the center of the design. To center the embroidery, choose Center in the dialog and apply the origin.
The canvas marker is only a visual reference. The export calculates the (0,0) point on the bounding rectangle of the generated stitches.
Export step by step
- Open the main menu and go to File → Export.
- Choose Export DST…, Export PES…, Export JEF…, or Export EXP…. The dialog opens with that format preselected.
- Enter the File name. The extension is added automatically.
- Change the Format in the drop-down if you need to.
- Review Machine Origin. If it says Canvas center (default) and you want another point, click Set Machine Origin….
- Click Export. If a file with that name already exists, the button changes to Replace and the corresponding warning appears.
| Dialog element | Function |
|---|---|
| Name of the final file without extension. | |
| DST, PES, JEF, or EXP. | |
| Shows the active position or the canvas center by default. | |
| Confirms the export. |
When finished, the bottom bar shows Exported DST (or the chosen format) for a few seconds, or Export failed if the file could not be written.
Export formats
| Format | Extension | Common machines | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| DST | .dst | Universal, Tajima | Does not save colors: only thread stops. |
| PES | .pes | Brother | Preserves color information. |
| JEF | .jef | Janome | Preserves color and order. |
| EXP | .exp | Melco, Bernina | Extended exchange format. |
The full reference is in File Formats.
What is saved in the file
- Only objects with generated stitches.
- Objects in the order of the Objects list.
- One color block per object; thread changes are written as stops.
- Coordinates in millimeters, with Y up and the chosen origin as
(0,0). - Travel between blocks of the same color, if the gap is small; if it is larger, it is trimmed and jumped.
The hoop and artwork are editing references and are not included in the exported file.
After exporting
- Check the message in the bottom bar.
- Open the exported file on the machine or in the machine's software.
- If possible, import it back into AnyTa to verify colors, size, and sequence.
- Keep the
.anyproject alongside the machine file.
Common problems
| Icon | Problem | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Export failed | Generate the stitches with Ctrl+Shift+G; check that there are objects and that the folder has write permissions. | |
| The embroidery is offset on the machine | Check the machine origin. If the machine works from the center, apply Center. | |
| The file does not open on the machine | Confirm that the format and extension are compatible with the machine. | |
| — | Colors are missing | This is normal in DST, which stores only stops. Use PES or JEF if you need color. |
Before overwriting a file, export with a new name and keep the previous version until you have checked the result on the machine.