zigzag

Convert SVG artwork to machine embroidery files

TLDR

Convert an SVG to PES and a PNG preview

$ zigzag convert [design.svg] -o [design.pes] -o [preview.png]

Convert a traced logo to DST

$ zigzag convert [logo.png] -o [logo.dst]

Print stitch stats and checks

$ zigzag info [design.svg]

Use a fabric preset

$ zigzag convert [design.svg] -o [design.pes] --fabric [knit]

List fabric presets

$ zigzag fabrics

Show Skitch machine info over Bluetooth (needs `ble` feature)

$ zigzag skitch info

Upload a design to a Skitch

$ zigzag skitch send [design.svg]

SYNOPSIS

zigzag convert|info|fabrics|skitch|capture [options]

zigzag is the command-line tool for ZigZag, an embroidery pipeline written in Rust. It turns SVG paths (fills, strokes, text) into tatami fill, satin, running stitch, and other stitch types, then writes machine files.The planner can remove hidden fill under later objects (keeping 0.5 mm overlap), order caps center-out or bottom-up, route travel stitches inside shapes, and run checks (narrow fills, wide satins, small lettering, hoop fit). Fabric presets include standard, thin cotton cap, structured cap, and knit.`cargo build --release` builds the CLI with no GUI system libraries. The studio editor is zigzag-studio (`gui` feature). zigzag-mcp is a stdio to HTTP bridge for MCP clients.

PARAMETERS

convert input -o output... [--hoop mm] [--fabric id] [--hat] [--keep-overlaps]

Convert SVG (or PNG/JPEG, traced first). Each -o extension selects a format: pes, dst, exp, jef, vp3, pec, pen (Skitch stream), svg or png (preview), html (worksheet). --hoop draws a square hoop in previews (default 100 mm).

info input [--fabric] [--hat] [--keep-overlaps]

Print size, stitch count, colors, trims, and digitizing checks.

fabrics

List fabric presets.

skitch info|status|settings|send [--name substr] [--scan seconds]

Talk to a Brother Skitch (PP1) over Bluetooth. send converts an SVG and uploads it; --trace traces the outline after upload, --sew starts sewing. Needs a build with the `ble` feature.

capture file [--all] [--raw]

List Skitch Bluetooth traffic from an iPhone PacketLogger `.pklg` or Android `btsnoop_hci.log`.

CAVEATS

Official downloads are macOS and Windows studio builds; the CLI builds on Linux from source. skitch commands fail unless the binary was built with ble. Output format is the file extension; an unknown extension is an error. Design size is checked against the Skitch sewing area before upload.

RESOURCES

Homepage · Source code