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File conversion

Convert PES to PEC

Verified by Adam B.· reviewed by FE Editorial ·updated Jun 25, 2026
QUICK ANSWER
Is it possible to convert PES to PEC?
Yes - PES converts to PEC.

Open the .pes file in Wilcom TrueSizer or Embird and save as .pec. No stitch data is lost because PEC is the inner stitch block of the PES container, but color metadata, design extents, and the embedded thumbnail are not included in the PEC output.

8 programs
Also to PEC: VP3

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Tested on macOS, Windows & Linux
Last verified Oct 2026

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Why convert PES to PEC?

Every PES file wraps a #PEC block (raw stitch commands) with additional metadata, color tables, and a preview thumbnail. Some older Brother machines accept .pec directly but not the full PES wrapper. Converting PES to PEC extracts the stitch block that is already present inside the file.

How to convert PES to PEC

Wilcom TrueSizer FREE

Open the .pes file via File > Open, then go to File > Save As and select .pec from the format list. TrueSizer exports the PEC block from the PES container.

Embird Embroidery Software APP

Open the .pes file and go to File > Save As, selecting PEC from the format dropdown. Confirm the output path and save.

Ink/Stitch OPEN-SOURCE

Install Inkscape and the Ink/Stitch extension, open the .pes file in Inkscape, then go to Extensions > Ink/Stitch > File > Save as Machine File and choose PEC.

Programs that convert PES

Embird Embroidery Software
Generation Plus
Janome Digitizer Pro
OESD ARTsizer
ArtLink
BuzzWord
Wilcom DecoStudio
Embroidermodder 2

About these formats

.PES Brother/Babylock PES Embroidery File

A PES file is a machine-embroidery design created by Brother's PE-Design software, used on Brother, Babylock, and some Bernina machines. To preview one free, open it in Wilcom TrueSizer…

Open .PES details →
.PEC Brother Embroidery file format

A .PEC file is associated with Brother Embroidery file format, a data file.

Open .PEC details →

Quality & what to watch

  • PEC is the raw stitch-command block inside PES - extracting it does not alter the needle path or stitch count; no stitch data is lost.
  • A standalone PEC file lacks the color metadata, design extents, and embedded preview thumbnail that the PES wrapper carries; thread colors must be reassigned on the machine or in software.
  • PES version codes (v1-v11) determine which Brother machines read the wrapper but do not affect PEC export.

Frequently asked questions

Which machines use the PEC format?
Some older Brother embroidery machines accept .pec files directly rather than the full PES wrapper.
Is stitch data lost when converting PES to PEC?
No. PEC is the stitch block inside every PES file - extracting it does not alter the needle path or stitch count.
Will I need to reassign thread colors after conversion?
Yes. Color metadata is stored in the PES wrapper, not the PEC block, so thread assignments must be re-entered on the machine or in software.
Can I convert PEC back to PES?
The stitch data can be re-wrapped in software, but the original color sequence and preview thumbnail from the PES will not be recovered.