What Does OFM Store?
A professionally created OFM can contain more than the final stitch path. In DesignShop, Wireframe elements can retain editable shapes and properties such as stitch type, density and stitch direction. If the shape or size of a Wireframe element changes, the software can regenerate stitches using the properties attached to that element.
That is very different from an expanded stitch element. Expanded elements store the stitches themselves rather than the original shape and digitizing properties. Editing an expanded design may require moving, adding or removing individual stitches, or converting the element before additional editing is possible.
What Is a Wireframe Design?
Wireframe is Melco terminology for editable design elements that still know what they are. A satin column can remain a satin object. A fill can retain its fill properties. The digitizer or embroidery shop can adjust the shape, size, density, stitch direction and other available properties without rebuilding every stitch manually.
Melco recommends Wireframe when using Melco machines because it can make editing and correcting digitizing problems easier. This is one reason an embroidery shop may ask a digitizer for the native OFM rather than receiving only a DST or EXP production file.
OFM Does Not Automatically Mean Fully Editable
The file extension alone does not guarantee that every part of a design is still native Wireframe. An OFM can contain expanded elements, and compatibility can also depend on the DesignShop version that created or opened the file. A file that has been converted from expanded stitches may not recreate every original decision made by the professional digitizer.
Melco specifically cautions that converting a professionally created expanded design to Wireframe may change original digitizing choices. For important edits, the best result may be to work from the original native design or have the design reviewed by a digitizer.
Why Is OFM Useful for Resizing?
Resizing is one of the clearest examples of the difference between a native design and a finished stitch file. When Wireframe elements are resized, DesignShop can regenerate the stitches based on the element properties. With an expanded stitch file, the software is working from existing stitch points instead of the original object logic.
This does not mean an OFM can be resized to any size without review. Major size changes can still require changes to stitch type, density, compensation, underlay, small details and lettering. A good native file gives the digitizer better information to make those changes correctly.
Can an OFM Store Melco Production Settings?
Melco documentation explains that some machine settings can be saved with an OFM in DesignShop and then loaded by compatible Melco operating software. The exact settings and availability depend on the machine and operating software. This is another example of OFM being designed around a Melco production workflow rather than acting only as a basic stitch container.
Why Do Embroidery Shops Request OFM Files?
Future editing
Wireframe elements can make size, shape and property changes easier when the native information is still present.
Melco workflow
OFM is built for the Melco environment and is the preferred design type identified by Melco for its machines.
Production changes
A shop may need to adjust a design for another garment, size, hoop or production condition later.
Master file retention
Keeping the native master gives the shop more options than keeping only a final machine stitch file.
Naan Designs and Melco OFM
Naan Designs primarily works in Melco DesignShop and provides native OFM files for customers who need a Melco focused workflow. Melco's public Help Center includes Naan Designs in its informational list of companies that provide Wireframe designs. Melco also states clearly that the list is not an endorsement or guarantee.
That public listing is useful context, but the important technical point is the file itself. A professional OFM should be created with the intended embroidery application, size, fabric and production needs in mind.
Need Professional Melco OFM Digitizing?
Naan Designs provides Melco OFM digitizing for embroidery shops that need native working files and production focused embroidery setup.
View Melco OFM DigitizingSources and Further Reading
Technical statements on this page are supported by public manufacturer documentation where appropriate. The software is listed for educational and comparison purposes only. The order does not indicate that one program is better than another, since each software platform is designed for different users, workflows, and embroidery production needs.
- MELCO Supported File Types Melco identifies OFM as its preferred embroidery design file type.
- MELCO Element Types: Expanded and Wireframe Public explanation of Wireframe and expanded element types.
- MELCO Converting an Object To Wireframe Explains the editable properties stored with Wireframe elements and limits of conversion.
- MELCO List of 3rd Party Digitizing Companies Public informational list that includes Naan Designs among Wireframe providers.