Desktop vs. web
Boldbobbin's desktop and web versions share the same editor, so your designs, tools and results are the same in both. Use this page to pick the one that suits how you work, or to see why something you used on one isn't on the other. A few things differ because a browser tab can't do everything a desktop app can.
For example, if you want to double-click a PES file in your downloads folder and have it open in Boldbobbin, or keep a list of recent files on the home screen, use the desktop app. If you work on a borrowed computer, the web app needs no install.
The same on both
- Drawing tools, the canvas, the tool rail, the essentials bar, layers, and palettes.
- Save, Undo, Redo and Export sit in one place in the header on both builds.
- Generating stitches and previewing them.
- Importing SVG/PDF, embroidery files, and reference images, and all three Auto-digitize methods (Photostitch, Cross-stitch, Auto-Trace).
- All three Advanced auto-digitize methods. Both builds need you signed in and online for these, since the work happens on a server.
- Team libraries with version history, including saving as you work and the question when someone else saved the design first.
- The six bundled digitized fonts, importing your own, and the font editor. Text uses Boldbobbin's own digitized fonts rather than the fonts installed on your computer, so lettering stitches identically everywhere. See Fonts and lettering.
- Exporting to every supported format.
- Signing in, saving to the cloud, opening cloud designs, and publishing to the community gallery.
- Pixel art and the sprite editor, and density analysis.
- All nine interface languages.
- Bobby, the chat assistant (new in v1.4.0), with Ask Bobby in the header. Both builds need you signed in and online.
- The tools new in v1.3.3: the magic wand and line art. On desktop they are in the native Tools menu too, as Magic wand and New Line Art….
- The Curve points toggle on the pen and satin draft bar, for drawing curves without a right button (on a touch screen or with a pen). See Pen and satin column.
- Settings → Privacy → Share anonymous usage data. The choice belongs to the device: the desktop app and each browser keep their own.
Different
| Feature | Desktop | Web |
|---|---|---|
| Recent Files on the home screen | Shown | Hidden |
| Saving a local project | "Save to this computer (.vemb)…" writes a file | "Download (.vemb)" downloads the file |
Opening a .bbf font by double-clicking it | Supported | Not applicable: import it from the Lettering library instead |
| Where your own fonts are stored | On this computer, in the app's data folder | In this browser |
| Screen eyedropper in the color picker | Windows: anywhere on screen. macOS: inside the Boldbobbin window | Chrome and Edge: anywhere on screen. Firefox and Safari: inside the window |
| Opening a file by path | Supported | Not supported ("Opening by path is only available on the desktop app.") |
| Updates | An update pill on the home screen installs the new version in place | Not applicable: reload the page |
| "Open with" from your desktop | Machine files are registered, so double-clicking one imports it | Not applicable |
| Menu bar | Can be the operating system's native menu bar, which shows each command's shortcut (v1.3.1) | In-app, trimmed, with the account menu behind your avatar |
| Signing in with Google or the sign-up email link | Finishes in your web browser, then returns you to the app; the window never reloads | Happens in the same tab and reloads the page; as of v1.3.1 your open design comes back with it |
| Opening a result from boldbobbin.com ("Modify in Boldbobbin") | Not applicable | Opens in the web app (details) |
Opening machine files from your desktop
On desktop, Boldbobbin registers itself for twelve machine-file types: DST, PES, EXP, JEF, PEC, VP3, U01, XXX, TAP, HUS, 100 and 10o. Your operating system then offers Boldbobbin in its "Open with" menu, and double-clicking one imports it through the same preview flow the Import menu uses.
They come in as stitches to work with rather than as projects, because a machine file has no project structure to restore. See Import an embroidery file.
Updating the desktop app
The home screen shows an update pill when a new version is out, and it installs the update in place rather than sending you to the website to download an installer by hand. See Install Boldbobbin.
Realistic render mode
The Realistic render mode needs WebGPU. It works in browsers that support WebGPU, and in the desktop app when your computer's graphics support it. Otherwise the Realistic button is disabled and you can still use Vector and Stitch modes. See Realistic mode is unavailable.