I just purchased a Bernetta 340 and can't make it work. For some reason Bernina help desk doesn't respond to my request. I have a USB stick. On it I created a folder EmgF5 just like the manual says. I put two folders in this folder. One has pes files. The other has art files. My sewing machine will not read either one. It reads the folders but not the files inside. Does anyone know what I am doing wrong. Any suggestions will be gratefully accepted.

Hi MeMe - You've almost got it right - you have the folders set up correctly, but your Deco 340 reads EXP+ files, not PES or ART. If you'll put EXP+ files in the folders, your Deco 340 will be able to read them.

I haven't been able to use my USB PORT IN MY DECO 340 when i put my memory stick in the machine nothing happen what am I doing wrong ?what kind of stick do I need to use?
Thank you.

Hi Diana - You need to create an EmbF5 file, and then create subfolders inside the EmbF5 folder - you can call them Flowers, Animals, whatever you want. Then put your EXP+ files into the subfolders (+ means that it has a BMP graphic file and a INF color info file in addition to the EXP stitch file). (Instructions for using different types of media are on pages 53-57 in the back of the manual.)

Hi there, I too am having problems, I can save a .art file to EmbF5, check in on my PC and it is definatley there. Put USB in sewing machine - it dosen't read it. This is very frustrating! All manuals etc provided with my Bernina Bernette 340 state that it will read .art files. Is this not true ?? If it won't read .art files how can I convert .art to a file it will recognise?

Hi Nana - Your Deco 340 reads artista design cards, but it's reading the EXP+ files from those cards, not the ART files. (Only the artista 200 and 730 read ART files.) To convert ART and other formats to EXP+ you'll need embroidery software such as BERNINA Embroidery Software, OESD eXplorations, or OESD Magic Box Elite.

I too am having problems. I am only able to use cds from OESD that come in the ART & exp format together. When I purchase designs on cd from other companies the formats are there but separate and my Bernina Artlink Version 5 software cannot open the exp part to put it on my USB stick. Is there anyway to use this software to transfer to a usb? Or, do I have to update to Explorations software?
Please help! Thanks!

When I bought the maschine they told me that I can use designs from the internet but nobody told me that after I spend that much money on my machine I need to spend more money on software. How are we suppose to use the mashine if we can't use these designs

Hi Christa - Your Artlink software only reads ART files; that's why you aren't able to open the EXP files on the OESD CDs. If you want to use the EXP+ files on the CDs with a Deco 340, you don't need software; just save them to the stick using the instructions I left for Diana, above.

Hi Tessa - Which embroidery system do you have? The free designs at www.berninausa.com are usually posted in ART, EXP+, and PES formats, so there should be one that you can use in your machine. But with some models you do need to have embroidery software of some sort - BERNINA Embroidery Software, OESD eXplorations, OESD Magic Box - to transfer downloaded designs from your computer to your machine.

ok I have Bernina software Verison 5 and when I save to my USB stick and to take to my Deco 340. The USB stick is flashing it is trying to read it but it doesn't see it.When looking at stick in Explore I see the EmbF5 file and my designs the are there but not in file. I can drag and drop them in the folder along with the bmp file. I take to the Deco and they are there. But my colors do not come up. Can you help me with this?

Hi Janice - I think the problem may be that your designs need to be in subfolders inside the EmbF5 folder; if they're just in the EmbF5 folder your Deco won't see them. If that's not it, let me know - Jo

How do I convert files to exp+? I also can't get my designs to be seen by my Deco 340 machine.

How do you convert files to exp+ format? I have the Bernina V5 ARTlink software but it only converts to exp.
I am trying to open designs on my Deco 340 from memory stick.

Hi- I recently purchased a Bernina Deco 340. It works great and I am having lots of fun with it! I have purchased a couple of cards and sticks, but would like to be able to download designs off the computer and purchase CD's. What do you recommend as far as OESD eXplorations, Magic Box, Mini Magic Box?? Which is the best to go with and best value for the money? Also, I have a hp computer with Windows Vista. Will these boxes work with this computer? Any advice would be appreciated!

Hi Barbara - eXplorations is customizing software - great for designing projects, but you'll still need either a Magic Box or Mini Magic Box to write Magic artista Cards for your Deco 340 to use. The Mini Magic Box doesn't give you as many options as the Magic Box - you can read product descriptions here: http://www.embroideryonline.com/products/Accessories.aspx?CategoryID=172

I have a Deco 340 and use a USB stick to transfer from the EmbF5 folder to the machine. The problems is I can get the color charts. Also, I purchased some alphabets and would like to create my names,etc, before putting on the USB because the entire alphabets take up too much space and it is also cumbersome to have to do one letter at a time. I would like to know if Explorations software is what I need. I have sent two e-mails to Bernina and get no response, and the salespeople where I bought the machine are not helpful at all with computer / software questions. Can anyone give me tips on software? Any help would be appreciated.

Hi Karen - If you're missing the color information when you transfer designs, you're probably using regular EXP files rather than EXP+ -- the + indicates that the file includes a BMP graphic image and INF color information as well as the EXP stitch file. You can use eXplorations software to create designs & words; BERNINA Embroidery Software can also be used. The two programs have some similar features, but different applications -- eXplorations is a project layout program, while BERNINA Embroidery Software is a customizing & digitizing program. I have both; I use my BERNINA software for creating designs, and eXplorations for planning embroidery placement on projects. Jo

You say the deco340 read EXP+ and a EmbF5 must be created - I read the pages mentioned (53-57) my machine still does not read the design. How then do you create the file and convert Art into EXP+. I booked myself in for classes and when I ask show me how to - everything but .... is answered.

I just got the Deco 340 I am having a couple of problems with it hopefully someone can help me. I got my usb stick into my pc got my exp files into a new folder under the EMBF5 folder but once I put it into my machine it shows the folder name but nothing comes up what am I doing wrong? I got one file to work and I thought I had the hang of it and deleted the folder and now if won't upload anymore. Also I used the magic box to try to save some files into the card and when I put it into my machine it ate it up and now it's not reading it and it won't eject it, I thought the card was supposed to go in there.
Thx

Hi Alma - Are you using EXP or EXP+ files? If you only have the EXP stitch file, the design will only show up by name (there won't be a graphic with it). To get the graphic you'll need the "+" part of the EXP+ file - the BMP graphic and INF color information. If you got it to work once, then everything should be set up right. Make sure you're using Write to Card/Machine to send designs to your USB stick; if you just Save or Save As they won't write correctly.

What kind of card did you use with your Magic Box? You should be able to read an artista design collection card, but it should only be used to write to an artista Magic Card. If you tried to write to an artista design collection card or artista Personal Design Card, I'm not sure what would happen; it might erase all of the formatting.

Hi!
You seem very helpful, and I feel like I'm asking the same question, but I can't figure out what the problem is.

I've downloaded several .exp designs from online. I've put them on my USB card (jump drive), under the folder EmbF5. In the folder EmbF5, I've created sub-folders where the designs are actually stored.

When I insert my USB card into my Bernina Deco 340, I get the following error:
"USB Memory error. Format memory?"
I can either pick X or OK.

Not sure why it's not reading my card.

Any help is appreciated!

I have a Bernette 340 and keep getting a "Short of Memory Space" error when I use a design on the USB stick. I have to turn off my machine and turn it on again and save it to my machine and then open it. Wish machine had more internal memory space as can't store enough designs.

Hi Courtney - Is there anything else on the USB stick? The Deco is picky - it wants to be the only thing on the stick. So you should have only the EmbF5 folder and its contents on the stick. Does that help?

Hi Sharon - Your "short of memory space" might be similar to Courtney's "memory error" problem. Try setting up your USB stick with just the EmbF5 folder and subfolders inside it. Make sure your designs are in the subfolders. Let me know if you're still having trouble - Jo

when you say you should have subfolders in die Embf5 folder - how do you create subfolders. When I open the software and use write to machine, deco 330 it do not ask for a name I just click ok and it write to the usb stick and I plug it in the deco and stitches it out. It works. Will the machine take longer to read the stick the more designs I have on the stick.

Hi Sherre - You're using software to send designs to the USB stick, so everything is done for you automatically. Folks that don't have software have to set up folders on their USB stick so the Deco 340 knows where to look for the designs.

Jo,
I have a new Deco 340 that will not read a PNY or Lexor brand USB drive. I get a "USB memory error" on the screen. It did read a Attache stick for a short time but then stopped. However, it does read a Micro Cruzer. I put a few designs on the Cruzer and they worked fine on the machine. Then I put the same designs on the other brand sticks and get the error screen.

Hi Darlene - Make sure you aren't putting anything else on the stick other than the Emb5F folder; having other folders on the stick will "confuse" your Deco 340. It might just be that you have some sticks that won't work. There aren't any standards for USB sticks, so some will work and others won't. They aren't even consistent; you might find that one brand works, but a new one of the same brand won't. I have one that works well, and I use it just for transferring designs to my Deco 340.

Janome has recently released an update for MC350e to increase the speed to 750 spm. When is Bernina going to release the same update?

design stored on artista 640's memory (not built in) can you convert so that you can stitch it out on deco 340 - if so can you explain the steps and how to do. How do you save from usb on to the software for later using on the deco. I am so empressed with deco and while working I can use artista as sewing mach. Thanks for all tips and answers.

Hi Sherre - Your Deco 340 uses the same EXP+ designs as your artista 640, so there's no need to convert. But you'll need a new USB stick that only has the 630/640 folder on it. If you copy just that folder to a new stick, your Deco 340 should be able to read it. Just insert it into the USB slot on your Deco 340. If that doesn't work, try changing the name of the folder to EmbF5.

I have a Bernina 730E and OESD Explorations but I still want to be able to purchase designs in other formats (like a recent Elvis one that did not come in art and was on a card). My husband just bought me Editor Plus for Christmas but I assume I will need a Magic Box or something like that, what would you recommend? Thanks.

I tried to save design from 640 to usb and stitch it out on deco340 but it only show embf5 on usb and nothing else. Can you walk me through the process of what I need to do. I also tried to save from stick to pc and cannot find it. You said before I must try and change folder name to embf5 - it show on stick when I plug it in deco but show up empty. What am I doing wrong please help!!!

Hi Linda - Your Editor Plus software can open nearly any embroidery format; you can then save it as an .ART file. Then you can send it to your artista the same way you'd send any other downloaded file - via USB memory stick, cable connection, etc. Jo

Hi Sherre - It sounds like you haven't set up your subfolders inside the embF5 folder; you have to create these folders for your Deco 340 to be able to find your designs. Once you've created subfolders (example: flowers, animals, jo's designs, cross stitch), put your embroidery designs into the folders. Your Deco 340 will then be able to read the designs. It won't see them if they're just in the embF5 folder; they must be in subfolders. Jo

Hi. I just recently bought a used artista 200 that has been upgraded to the 730. It didn't come with a USB stick. I have several designs I got off line that are in art format. I have a USB stick that I've transfered them to, but the machine isn't reading it. Do I need a bernina USB stick, or should any USB stick do? Thanks! Stephanie

Hi Stephanie - The USB stick that comes with the 200/730 upgrade contains all of the designs, plus storage space for designs downloaded from your computer. For your artista 200/730 you'll need the Bernina Memory Stick, as a regular stick won't work. (They sometimes work with the 630 & 640.)

Help,

I just purchased the Bernina 640. I can't get my USB stick to work. I downloaded some free internet exp designs to my stick but when I put the stick in my machine it is blank. What am I doing wrong? My stick is not a Bernina stick.

Hi. My husband recently bought me a Bernina Deco 340 as a surprise. I love it, except I'm having trouble with the part about .EXP+ files. I've read through all the questions above, and seems this a common query, but I still am not seeing an answer. I figured out how to purchase and downloads designs from the OESD site, but they only offer .EXP as an option, with no + . Therefore, the designs I put on my stick, don't have the color info when my machine pulls it up. How do you convert files to .EXP+ . What was the reasoning for using .EXP instead of .ART for the Deco? It seems to be making it more complicated to get designs that work in this machine. I'd really appreciate it if you could help me. I don't know where else to ask. Thank you so much!

Hi Jane - The problem might be with your USB stick, or with how you've saved the designs. Try creating an EmbF5 folder; this will give your artista a place to look for the designs. If it's the stick, try another stick. They're not all formatted the same way, so some work and others don't; there's no way to know without trying them.

Hi Randi - First, a bit about embroidery files. All Bernina embroidery systems read EXP+ files; the artista 200 and 730 also read ART files. ART is the format used by Bernina Embroidery Software; the software can also read and write most other embroidery files. The designs you downloaded are regular EXP, so don't contain any color information. The only way to add color information is to open them in embroidery software, assign colors, then save them as EXP+. It might help to think of EXP designs as drawings in a coloring book, and EXP+ as paint-by-number. ART is another type of color-by-number, but with color information built-in rather than in an extra file as in EXP+. The main problem people seem to have with the Deco 340 is that they don't set up the folders correctly. The stick should be used only for embroidery; having other files on it "confuses" the embroidery machine. The Deco 340 looks for the EmbF5 folder, then looks for subfolders, then looks for designs; if the designs aren't in subfolders, the Deco 340 won't be able to find them. See previous answers for a more detailed explanation of how to set up folders on the stick. I hope this helps!

Thank you, Jo. I got my folders set up ok on my stick. I'm sorry, but I'm still confused about the EXP+ and how I convert files to that format. How do I create the + part, so that my stick will read the colors? What embroidery software can I do this with? I need one that is not super expensive.

I just had my 200 updated to use a USB (no BSR). So far I haven't been able to get any of my USB sticks to work in the machine. The little light comes on but the symbol on the sewing machine is greyed out. What am I doing wrong?