Learn / Formats / PCS

Format guide · Pfaff PCS

Open PCS embroidery files on a Mac

PCS is an older Pfaff format. It stores absolute positions in 0.06 mm units, so positions are rounded slightly when a design is saved as PCS.

Commonly used with: older Pfaff machines.

What Satinsmith does with PCS

Open and preview PCS files free. Save a design as PCS with any export: the free plan includes five exports a month, and paid plans are unlimited. Converting many files at once needs Studio.

  • Satinsmith reports that rounding in the export check.

Satinsmith runs on Apple silicon Macs with macOS 14 or later. Download it free.

What the format stores

  • Extensions: .pcs, .pcd, .pcq. Maker: Pfaff.
  • Stores thread colors: yes.
  • Trims: no. Stops: no.

Try your own file

Add a folder with your PCS files to the free Satinsmith library to preview them before you rely on a workflow. The library lesson shows the steps with practice files.

Before you sew

Check your machine's manual for the formats and versions it accepts. Satinsmith checks files in software, reports what an export changes, and does not test files on machines. Known limits.