Help needed - Bernina EXP+ support!

Matthias · 2026-04-05T14:33:07+00:00

I’m currently working on StitchBuddy to support Bernina EXP+ (often called Bernina USB EXP), a design format actually persisting of three different files: A...

Vincenza

@Matthias

Das freut mich sehr! Ich bin schon gespannt auf die öffentliche Beta und die neuen Verbesserungen. Sag Bescheid, wenn ich noch etwas testen kann!

CoastalMaya

Hi Mattias -

I have a Bernina 570QE and recently did a firmware update to the latest version.

I transfered the files you posted and here are my results:

EXP-test: the thumbnail on the machine = "Missing image" however, when you click on the thumbnail you see the Stitchbuddy logo and colors fine.

._EXP-Test: Thumbnail on machine = "missing image" however when you click on the thumbnail you see a ragged stitching line across the screen.

.bmp: did not transfer to the machine at all.

I hope this helps! If you want screen shots of anything let me know.

Maya

Matthias

CoastalMaya Don't worry about the second files (starting with "._"), on maOS these are normally hidden system files (but not on other platforms), and can be ignored.

Could you elaborate on the .bmp file which couldn't be transferred? I was assuming you copy the three files (.exp, .inf and .bmp) manually on a USB stick… This file should be used to display a preview without reading / interpreting the whole design. From your description I take it was not used by your Bernina 570QE although it was present on the stick?

Edit: I just modified my answer for more clarity, and I sincerely apologize I forgot a big "Thank you, Maya!" 🙂

CoastalMaya

Matthias

Hello there! I double checked my USB and the .bmp file is definitely there but doesn't appear on my machine.

Thank you!

Matthias

Vincenza I’m particularly pleased that the individual steps, including the color assignments, are displayed correctly.

Vincenza, can you confirm that a preview / thumbnail of the design was shown before the whole design was opened on your Bernina? I'm sorry that I'm fishing a little in the dark because I never saw the design browser on a Bernina, and therefore don't know for sure when the preview (.bmp file) comes into play…

Matthias

I spent some more time investigating the Windows Bitmap File (.bmp) used by Bernina - at least what I found in some sample designs: Unfortunately this image format comes in various flavors, and - while being a valid picture - the one currently created by StitchBuddy is much different to those used by Bernina. So I'm pretty sure the current version is useless for EXP+ and I‘m back to square one.

The required file structure will need some more research and coding … Thanks to everybody supporting this work so far, I'll come back to you when your help is needed!

Matthias

@Vincenza @CoastalMaya and all Bernina owners:

After a busy Sunday I have updated my sample file. Maybe you are able to test it again, focusing on the thumbnail's display? I found several Bernina .bmp bitmaps with 80 x 80 pixels, and decided to save with this size for compatibility (although some machines seem to support 100 x 100 pixels). It would be interesting to see how this works out...

CoastalMaya

Matthias

I just dowloaded the newest test file you posted and the .bmp still does not appear on the machine. The .exp file appears fine with the Stitch buddy logo.

Matthias

CoastalMaya I just dowloaded the newest test file you posted and the .bmp still does not appear on the machine. The .exp file appears fine with the Stitch buddy logo.

Hi Maya! That's a bummer … Can you confirm that other EXP files with a corresponding .bmp are showing their thumbnails? Maybe you can provide me a sample bitmap file and a photo how it looks on your Bernina - presumably by mail to protect your privacy.

CoastalMaya

Matthias I would be happy to send you photos of what I see. Let me know what email I should send to. I really appreciate you doing this for Bernina owners! -Maya

Matthias

CoastalMaya Hi Maya! Thank you so much in advance! The email address is just info@stitchbuddy.de … the same for all StitchBuddy related topics as it's only me 🙂

Could you double-check that you have used the new sample files (I've renamed all three to "stb01…" after your post to avoid confusions)? And maybe you can provide an EXP example incl. the bitmap file which is shown correctly on your Bernina?

CoastalMaya

Matthias I will work on that today! Thank you!

CoastalMaya

Hi Matthias - I emailed you photos the other day and wanted to be sure tht the email address was correct: info@stitchbuddy.de

Matthias

CoastalMaya That‘s strange: the email address is correct, but I never received any mail from you with photos: Just double-checked the spam folder, holding the usual suspects … Would you mind sending the mail again (after carefully checking its recipient)…?

CoastalMaya

Hi Mattias! I just resent you the information. I apologize for not checking the forum sooner. -Maya

Matthias

I'm closing this discussion as StitchBuddy / -HD 3.8.0 has started public beta testing, so Bernina EXP+ support can be evaluated by everybody. More details how to join the tests can be found in these discussions: