Husqvarna Viking embroidery machines use VP3 files. VP3 stores the exact color and name of every thread, so the design appears on the machine screen in the colors you chose. The free digitizer writes VP3 straight from an image.
Upload your artwork and download a VP3 file. It runs entirely in your browser, with no signup and no upload.
Which file format Husqvarna Viking machines use
VP3 is the format current Husqvarna Viking machines read, and Pfaff machines use it too. It replaced older Viking formats over the years: HUS was the earliest, VIP followed after Husqvarna Viking and Pfaff merged, and SHV files came from the Designer I era.
In mySewnet software, VP3 and VIP are the formats that keep full thread color information; other formats are shown in the nearest matching colors. The digitizer writes VP3 only. If you have an older machine that reads only HUS, convert the VP3 with embroidery software that can still save HUS.
How to get a VP3 file onto your machine
Viking machines that read VP3 load it from a USB stick: copy the file, insert the stick and open the design on screen.
mySewnet-connected machines can also open designs from the mySewnet Cloud folder on the machine screen. Machines on mySewnet's list include the Designer Epic, Designer Epic 2, Designer Brilliance 80 and Designer Sapphire 85. If you use mySewnet Embroidery Software, open your VP3 there and send it to the cloud, and it appears on the machine.
Husqvarna Viking, Pfaff and Singer are sister brands, and mySewnet supports machines from all three.
Husqvarna Viking hoop sizes
| Model | Type | Largest field |
|---|---|---|
| Designer Jade 35 | Sewing and embroidery | 240 × 150 mm (9.5 × 6 in) |
| Designer Epic 2 | Sewing and embroidery | Up to 360 × 350 mm |
| Designer Epic 3 | Sewing and embroidery | Up to 450 × 450 mm with the Mega Turnable Hoop |
Viking hoops are sold in metric sizes such as 240 × 150 mm, which sits between the 5×7 and 6×10 in presets in the digitizer. Type the width you want instead, and confirm the fit with the hoop size calculator.
Tips for Husqvarna Viking embroidery
- Keep your exact colors. VP3 stores full RGB colors, so you can keep the image's own colors, or match them to the Brother or Janome thread chart if you thread with those brands.
- Use the big hoops wisely. Large designs mean large stitch counts. Estimate run time with the stitch count calculator.
- Rotate to fit. Many Viking hoops are wider one way than the other; rotate 90° in the digitizer if the design fits better.
- Pick the fabric preset so density, underlay and pull compensation suit the fabric.
- Sew a test on scrap before the real piece.
Convert other formats to VP3
- PES to VP3 for Brother and Baby Lock designs
- DST to VP3 for commercial designs; assign threads as you convert, since DST has no colors
- JEF to VP3 for Janome designs
- EXP to VP3 and XXX to VP3 for Bernina, Melco and Singer files
From artwork, use PNG to VP3 or image to VP3.