If you already have an embroidery design
SewWhat-Pro is described by its developer as software for viewing, editing and converting embroidery files. Its product page also describes arranging pre-digitized lettering and adding borders or nap-tack stitches. Check its documentation for the exact operation and format you need. Those tasks begin with embroidery information already present in the design.
If you are starting with a JPG or PNG
An image contains no needle path. You need digitizing to create that path before it can become a machine file. S&S offers SewArt for image digitizing. Auto Scope is another route: upload a supported raster image online, generate a stitch plan and review it before exporting. Choosing between these workflows requires testing your own artwork.
Where Auto Scope fits
Auto Scope provides automatic image digitizing, animated stitch previews and generated-layer controls. Free previews do not require sign-up. Paid plans provide machine-file exports. The web studio does not replace every function of an existing-file editor: it does not import PES or DST for editing, and it does not include full manual object and individual-stitch authoring tools.
Two meanings of conversion
Converting an existing PES design to another machine format changes the encoding of a stitch design. Converting a JPG to PES creates a new stitch design from pixels. If your goal is the first task, choose a tool that accepts the original stitch file. If your goal is the second, evaluate a digitizer and inspect the generated paths.
How to make a fair comparison
Use the same source artwork and finished size when testing image digitizers. Note the palette, settings, stitches and jumps, then test-sew on the same material setup. For editors, compare the same existing stitch file and editing task instead. Do not compare unrelated tasks and call the result a universal quality ranking.
Choose by the work you do
For arranging and editing purchased machine designs, examine SewWhat-Pro's supported workflow. For generating a new design from an image, test an image digitizer. You may use both kinds of tool in a larger workflow. Auto Scope is independent of S&S Computing; the names here identify the products being discussed, not an affiliation.
Sources and further reading
Product information checked October 4, 2026. Features and terms can change.
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Put this guide into practice
Encoding reference: pyembroidery project. For machine-specific limits, check your manufacturer’s manual.