Requesting suport (Export/import) for .DST (Tajima) files - Embroidery

[Bug Importer]

The ability to export to .dst files will allow
inkscape to be used to export data to embroidering
machines. There is a perl module at cpan
(Embroidery.pm) that should be able to export to such
format. It can be used as a base.

bye, <email address hidden>

[Horkana-users (horkana-users)]

sounds like a good proposal for an extension

[Popolon (popolon)]

Copy information from the second bug report I opened on the subject (can't find the first one) I first opened it after seeing clipart sold for embroidering machines at a little professional shop where I give my wife sewing machine to repair. There are several format depending on machines, most machines uses card to transfer file formats.
Looks like some are open format cards usable with common card readers, other are proprietary one.

There are some formats described at wotsit.org. This could be useful to eventually add functionalities to perl script format, recode it in another language (python, ruby, c or c++) and/or to add new formats :

http://www.wotsit.org/list.asp?search=embroidery

[vonHalenbach (lustik)]

If you want, you can join in the discussion on the inkscape wiki about this topic. Share your thoughts with us.
Which machine do you have and how can you put the files on the machine?
Do you have other software for making embroidery files for your machine? Was it some freeware, delivered with the machine or did you buy it extra?
How many self designed files do you have?

http://wiki.inkscape.org/wiki/index.php/Embroidery_file_formats

[Ryan Lovett (ryan-spacecoaster)]

I am also interested in seeing embroidery file formats supported by inkscape. My mom has a machine that uses the .PES file format and half dozen or so proprietary Windows programs that can either read or convert to/from .PES.

I've scoured the net trying to find more information on .PES and tried asking Brother for file format details without success. The inkscape wiki page at

http://wiki.inkscape.org/wiki/index.php/Embroidery_file_formats

links to http://www.achatina.de/sewing/main/TECHNICL.HTM

which has some information on the file format, but not enough for a reverse-engineering novice like me to get far. There is some more information at http://www.softhelp.ru/fileformat/pes/pes.htm.

The bug report at https://bugs.launchpad.net/inkscape/+bug/171650 is a more general request for embroidery file format support within inkscape, but it was closed with a referral to an inaccessible (to me) sourceforge page.

If an inkscape developer see this, what is the preferred location for discussing this issue? The wiki? This bug? The launchpad "Answers" area? One of the inkscape mailing lists?

[sas (sas-sas)]

I suggest filing a separate bug report for the PES format. As well as links to pages about the file format, it would be useful to include links to websites with sample files (preferably ones that have pictures showing what the files should look like).

I think that exporting to formats like this would be difficult, but importing should be easier.

[Ryan Lovett (ryan-spacecoaster)]

Okay, thanks. I've filed the bug at https://bugs.launchpad.net/inkscape/+bug/247463 with the links and sample files as you suggested.

[Omkar Patekar (omkar-patekar)]

If noone else, let me give a try at this as I'm also shocked to see that my embroidery machine that can connect to USB does NOT come with software to create custom/innovative designs???!!!

I think I can be of help here as I'm working on it. however, can't commit on ETA as I'm doing this part-time. May need some help by other developer, just in case my pace is not meeting community expectations.

Do drop me a line if you find anything useful (and newer than posts in this thread).

I'll work on DST format as it seems mostly-available with some source codes. PES will be my next aim (because I have a machine to test it with.. )

Good Luck to me!
- Omkar.

[Omkar Patekar (omkar-patekar)]

Update folks:
DST Plugin "basic" works..

This plugin is based on Jon Howell's http://www.jonh.net/~jonh/inkscape-embroidery/ AND
embroidermodder on sourceforge: http://embroidermodder.sourceforge.net/

* Copy attached files to ".config/inkscape/extensions/" directory inside user's home directory.
* Restart inkscape (if already open)

Testing:
* Open inkscape, select File->Document Properties->Default Units as "mm"
* select Text tool (A on left toolbox), type a letter, select it and convert it to path (menu Path->Object to Path).
* Select Fill style (Menu Object->Fill and Stroke -> <Flat Color Fill button>) <== This is important, if you skip this, expect error about fill color or something..
* Select Menu Extensions->Render->DST Embroider and Click Apply, Click Close.

You should be able to see an embroidery path in a rectangle. The output gets generated as "output.dst" in .config/inkscape/extensions/ under user's home directory.

Awaiting for user responses.

I know LOTs of improvements are needed, but for now, this shall work.