P: Ability to Save As: Embroidery Files (DST files)

[LOTS_OF_PYRO]

So... I went into the Lids Hat Store at the local mall and I wanted to see about getting my personal logo put onto a hat. 

The downfall to this is they won't put any old PNG File onto the Hat. Instead it needs to be saved for Embroidery as a DST File.

The employees at Lids told me "We can have our team conver the file for you... But that's $25.00 to convert the File...".

So $25.00 to have the store Convert the file and then another charge on to to make the hat?

I don't think so... At least I have Adobe Programs to help for most of it.

I do know there's programs out their such as "SEW ART" which has it's Free Trial... But still... There's no other programs/file converters to make a PNG File to a DST File.

I personally wish we could Export Files to a DST File from Photoshop.

Or even add an Embroidery Program to Adobe on it's own.

Anyone have and good tools I can look into that might be good ways to make these Embroidery File Formats?

[davescm · Accepted solution]

I would go with the shop, or with SewArt if you are to do this regularly.

A quick Google search turns up other applications, and as usual the more versatile, the more expensive.  Examples are Threads ES or  Embroidery Office.

Photoshop is a pixel image editor.  But this is not about a conversion from one image format to another. The application is specialised as DST is not an image file format (also don't confuse it with the Autocad DST format) , but instead the application works out a list of  instructions that the embroidery machine can follow in order to replicate the image.

Dave

[savagequest]

Photoshop is a pixel-based image editor, whereas Illustrator is vector/point-based. However, I recently had the same request and tried saving out of Adobe Illustrator v28, 2024 and DST DOES NOT exist.  There is an option for DXF, which I'm not sure is the same but the prompt that pops up when using this extension does talk about threads and looks like options to set up for embroidering.  I've always been asked for an EPS or PDF file from any vendor that will do embroidering, although I'm not certain if they had conversion software and added the charge back to us.  I'm starting to see where this could be an issue with cost and curious why Adobe does not have a way to convert vector files to AutoCad or comparable by now, it seems this feature would be very useful in many projects.

Buying 3rd party software is obviously cheaper than paying the added cost for conversion per item, but I'd rather have it built into my current software since I thought Adobe Illustrator had the capabilities already.

[davescm]

Photoshop is pixel based, Illustrator vector but both are designed to produce images. A file to instruct an embroidery machine is neither. It is specialised, in the same way as an instruction set for a CNC machine. That is why specialist software is required.

As stated above - do not confuse Autocad DST with these embroidery instruction files. They share the same initials but that is all.

Dave

[savagequest]

Thanks for clarifying. So, pay the fees or go third party because Adobe does not have this capability. 

My suggestion is this is next for Adobe's Beta software, so many DIY'ers that would utilize a file converter like this for CNC machines, Silhouettes, Cricuts, Embroidering, etc. 

[Lumigraphics]

Adobe is unlikely to implement this. The best bet would be a developer to write a plug-in.

[davescm]

'...so many DIY'ers that would utilize a file converter like this for CNC machines, Silhouettes, Cricuts, Embroidering, etc....'

All of which would need different conversion software. I can't see it being implemented.

Dave

[Test Screen Name]

Printers and screens work with pixels, but embroidery machines work with lengths of thread. There is no magic to convert pixels to thread, that $25 buys the time of a skilled artist who recreates your design using thread-oriented software. Sounds a bargain to me. Proper thread design software costs thousands of dollars.

[Lumigraphics]

I'd think that an Illustrator or PDF file would be a better idea.
You could also have the logo screen printed instead of embroidered.

[Lumigraphics]

https://digiembroidery.com/convert-pdf-to-dst/

https://www.quora.com/Can-anyone-help-me-to-convert-an-image-file-into-a-dst-format-Embroidry

[VibingwithVeterans]

Go to Fiverr.com and have it done for cheaper! That's how I went about having it done! Great day!

[Matthew28754053h23v]

Why don't you use digitizing services like: Embroidery Digitizing 

[trostt19622370]

There is a lot to making a digitized file, if you do not know what your doing your end result will look like crap. Not any lamen can easly just convert over a dst file. You need specialized software like Wilcom, and some training to digitize correctly so your end result will look good.