ApS-Ethos vs PEmbroider

ApS-Ethos is a Windows embroidery software suite from CadCam Technology, divided into Organiser, Writer, Creative Writer, Innovator, Artisan Plus, and Virtuoso Plus levels. Digitising tools can load or scan image and vector artwork and convert it into embroidery designs automatically. AutoStitch handles image, AI, EPS, and DXF files, and designs can be sent from Corel Draw or Adobe Illustrator for conversion. Smart Text adjusts lettering for its selected size, including openings, underlay, and stitch density. The suite includes more than 150 lettering styles; Innovator adds over 90 emblem shapes and 180 fill, satin, and running-stitch patterns. Organiser stores, transfers, and monitors designs in a network-shareable MS Access-compatible database, imports and exports major industrial machine formats, and connects with embroidery machines. Virtuoso Plus is aimed at high-volume production, design departments, and colleges. Prices are available through main dealers. Registered users can download updates. Laser software development has stopped.

PEmbroider is a Java library for generating computational embroidery designs in Processing. Its drawing functions handle lines, shapes, and typography, while shape tools support overlap, cropping, merging, and a range of embroidery fills. Designs can start from SVG files or black-and-white PNG and GIF images. The library generates DST, EXP, JEF, PEC, PES, VP3, and XXX files for consumer CNC embroidery machines. It also exports PDF, SVG, TSV, and GCODE for other 2D output devices, including CNC routers and AxiDraw pen plotters. A modified Traveling Salesperson Problem solver creates shorter paths intended to reduce embroidery time and material use. PEmbroider can visualize files it generates, but cannot load or preview existing embroidery files. It integrates with Processing and can be installed through its Contribution Manager or from a ZIP library. The instructions require Processing 4.0a6 or later, with a separate download for Processing 3 users. It is free under GPLv3 and ACSL 1.4 and was developed during Endless March 2020 at Carnegie Mellon University's Frank-Ratchye STUDIO for Creative Inquiry.