ART File

What are ART files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening an ART file or are you simply curious about its contents? We're here to explain the properties of these files and provide you with software that can open or handle your ART files.

What is an ART file?

ART files have multiple uses, and AOL ART Bitmap is one of them. Read more about the other uses further down the page.

AOL ART Bitmap File

Graphcis format using Johnson-Grace compression.

How to open ART files

Important: Different programs may use files with the ART file extension for different purposes, so unless you are sure which format your ART file is, you may need to try a few different programs.

While we have not verified the apps ourselves yet, our users have suggested ten different ART openers which you will find listed below.

Last updated: January 22, 2025

All known file formats using extension .ART

While AOL ART Bitmap File is a popular type of ART-file, we know of 9 different uses of the .ART file extension. Different software may use files with the same extension for different types of data.

Autodesk ArtCam 3D Model

The Autodesk ArtCAM Model file with extension .ART is the native file format used by the (now discontinued) ArtCAM software. It contains a full project model including any bitmap images, vector artwork, 3D reliefs, and machining (toolpath) data.

An .ART file is generated when a user saves their work in ArtCAM via File → Save (or Save As), capturing everything created in a session: 2D artwork (bitmaps or vectors), relief layers (front/back) built from images or imported 3D mesh/surface models, and any CNC toolpaths defined for manufacturing. Models are often edited by importing 3D geometry (STL, OBJ, DXF etc.), creating bitmap layers from images, turning bitmaps into reliefs, organizing vector artwork into layers, and defining machining strategies.

Internally, .ART is a binary file format whose exact structure has not been publicly documented for developers. It is identified by distinctive byte signatures and internal text strings (for example at offset 0 it often begins with D0 CF 11 E0 A1 B1 1A E1, and around offsets 1024 - 1152 strings like "Root Entry", "Relief File", "Maximum height range", "VectorDocument", "ColourTable", and "ImageData" appear).

ART opener for Windows

We have identified 2 ART openers that are compatible with this specific type of ART file.

Bernina Artista Embroidery File

Bernina Artista Embroidery File (.ART) is the native editable design file format used by Bernina's "ARTista" and later Embroidery Software such as ARTlink and BERNINA Software V9. It stores all of the information needed to create, view, change, save and export embroidery designs before they are stitched.

Files in this format are created inside BERNINA's software and allow users to draw/design patterns, assign thread colors, set stitch types, layout the design and apply effects. Once finalized, the design is exported from the .ART format into a machine-readable 'stitch' format (such as EXP for Bernina machines or PES, DST etc. for others) before being embroidered. ART files are graded depending on how much editable/vector/object-outline data they contain - Grade A files are fully editable with outlines, stitches, thread palettes, preview thumbnail, metadata, comments etc. Grades B, C and D have reduced or transformed data depending on how they were imported or converted via machine-stitch file formats.

ART files begin with a Microsoft OLE2/Compound File Binary (CFBF) header indicating that it uses a compound file structure for storage. Among its signatures are the magic bytes D0 CF 11 E0 A1 B1 1A E1 at offset 0. Throughout the file it contains metadata labels such as "NUMBER OF STITCHES", "LONGEST STITCH IN DESIGN", "EMBROIDERY MACHINE NAME", "BERNINA", and others that describe design size, stitch count, thread changes, trims, object count, color changes etc.

Programs that open these ART files

We have identified 2 ART openers that are compatible with this specific type of ART file.

Designworks Sample

We know that one ART format is Designworks Sample. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Gerber Artwork File

We know that one ART format is Gerber Artwork File. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Greenstreet Art Drawing

We know that one ART format is Greenstreet Art Drawing. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

LogoArt Drawing

We know that one ART format is LogoArt Drawing. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Micrografx Crayola Art Studio Art File

We know that one ART format is Micrografx Crayola Art Studio Art File. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

The Office Publisher Graphics Art

We know that one ART format is The Office Publisher Graphics Art. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Various apps that use files with this extension

These apps are known to open certain types of ART files. Remember, different programs may use ART files for different purposes, so you may need to try out a few of them to be able to open your specific file.

Help us help others

File.org helps thousands of users every day, and we would love to hear from you if you have additional information about ART file formats, example files, or compatible programs. Please use the links below or email us at submit@file.org to discuss further.