Open, Import, and Save

AnyTa uses its own file browser to open projects, import designs, and save your work. The same dialog changes mode depending on the action:

Action	Shortcut	Dialog
Open a project	Ctrl+O	Open file
Import a file	—	Open file (import mode)
Save	Ctrl+S	No dialog if the project already has a path
Save As	Ctrl+Shift+S	Save project as

The file dialog

The dialog is divided into three areas: the shortcuts sidebar, the central browser, and the preview.

Sidebar

Quick access entries are system folders and vary by OS and language. The list may show locations that do not exist on your computer; in that case the folder appears empty.

Icon	Element	Function
	Recent	Files opened or imported recently. Shows the number of items.
	Home	User's home folder.
	Desktop	System desktop.
	Downloads	Downloads folder.
	Documents	Documents folder.
	Pictures	Pictures folder.
	Music	Music folder.
	Videos	Videos folder.

note

Names and paths change by platform: Windows uses C:\Users\<user>\..., macOS uses /Users/<user>/..., and Linux follows the XDG directories (~/Downloads, ~/Documents, ~/Pictures, ~/Music, ~/Videos). If a folder is not configured on the system, the shortcut may open an empty location.

Below are the format filters, with the number of files of each type in the current folder:

• All files
• AnyTa projects (.any)
• Embroidery files
• Images
• Vector files

Browser

• Back: goes up to the previous folder or returns to Home from Recent.
• Current path or Recent files in the header, with the file and folder count.
• Search files…: filters by name. Esc clears the search.
• Sort: by Name, Date modified, or Size.
• Grid view and List view.

In grid view, one click on a folder enters it. In both modes, double-clicking opens folders and supported files.

Preview

Selecting a file shows:

• Thumbnail and name.
• Format badge and file type.
• Size, dimensions, and stitch count when available.
• File information: format, dimensions, stitches, colors, objects, size, and date modified.
• Color order with thread swatches; hover to see the name.

In formats without reliable color information, such as DST, the notice Approximate colors: this format does not have reliable thread colors. appears.

Open a project

1. Press Ctrl+O or open File → Open….
2. The dialog shows Recent if there are recent files; otherwise, the last folder or Home.
3. Select an .any file and click Open, or double-click it.
4. The project loads objects, threads, artwork, canvas size, and machine origin.

warning

Opening another project replaces the current document. Save your changes with Ctrl+S before opening, because this dialog does not show the unsaved changes warning.

Import files

1. Open File → Import…. The same browser opens in import mode.
2. Choose a supported file and click Import.
3. The bottom bar shows Imported N objects or Could not import this file.

Files are added to the current document; they do not replace it. If you choose an .any project, it opens as a project instead of being imported.

Type	Extensions	What it adds
AnyTa project	.any	Opens the complete project.
Embroidery	.dst, .exp, .pes, .pec, .jef, .hus, .vip, .sew, .ksm, .tap, .xxx	Existing stitch blocks.
Image	.png, .jpg, .jpeg, .webp, .bmp, .gif	Automatically digitized objects.
Vector	.svg	Paths converted into editable objects.

Images are reduced to a maximum of 8 dominant colors and traced automatically. Review the result and adjust the stitches. See Importing an image and File Formats.

Unsupported files can be selected, but the Open or Import button remains disabled.

Save the project

Save

Ctrl+S saves directly if the project already has an .any path. If it is a new document without a path, it opens Save project as.

Save As

1. Press Ctrl+Shift+S or choose File → Save As….
2. The dialog opens in the current project folder or in Documents.
3. Enter the File name. The .any extension is added automatically and replaces any other extension.
4. If a file with that name already exists, a warning appears and the button changes to Replace.
5. Click Save or press Enter.

The native project preserves:

• Objects, stitches, layers, and threads.
• Embedded artwork, with its visibility, lock, opacity, and crop.
• Canvas size, machine origin, and connection settings.

Guides and the grid are editing aids and are not part of the project.

Unsaved changes

When you create a new document with Ctrl+N and have pending changes, Unsaved Changes appears with the document name and the options Cancel, Don't save, and Save. If you choose to save and the project has no path, Save project as opens first.

Shortcuts

Action	Shortcut
New	Ctrl+N
Open	Ctrl+O
Save	Ctrl+S
Save As	Ctrl+Shift+S
Close the dialog	Esc
Confirm file name	Enter