PEmbroider vs Ricoma Chroma

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.

Ricoma Chroma has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.