Format guide · Brother PES

Open PES embroidery files on a Mac

PES files come from Brother's PE-Design software. Every PES file contains a PEC section, which is what the machine actually sews; the rest of the file carries thread colors and details for software.

Commonly used with: Brother and Baby Lock home embroidery machines.

What Satinsmith does with PES

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

  • Satinsmith reads PES versions 1 to 10 (PE-Design 1 to 11), always sewing from the PEC section.
  • It writes version 6, which current machines and software read, or version 1 for very old machines that refuse newer files. Both carry the same stitches.

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

What the format stores

  • Extensions: .pes. Maker: Brother.
  • Stores thread colors: yes.
  • Trims: yes. Stops: yes.

Practice with free files

The library lesson has four original practice designs as PES and DST. Compare the same leaf in both formats, with no signup.

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.