KSM

Status

Field	Value
Extension(s)	.ksm
Common ecosystem	Older Pfaff lead
Format family	Machine-specific lead
Satin Studio status	Researching
Open / import	No
Export	No
Confidence	Low-medium.

What it is

KSM is a rare older Pfaff-family extension seen in embroidery conversion lists.

Satin Studio direction

Lookup entry only until real files identify it.

Versions and variants

KSM may not use one command mode for the whole stream; color/needle state may affect how following movement records are interpreted.

File identification notes

Reported structure includes a 512-byte header and unsigned x, y, control triplets. One reported quirk: after a color change to a specific needle, following x, y positions may look like normal movement until later control values trigger sewing again.

Observed structure notes

• Observed KSM readers skip a 512-byte (0x200) header before reading three-byte records in y, x, control order.
• Control bit 0x40 negates X and bit 0x20 negates Y. The low five control bits drive state.
• Observed controls include 0x07, 0x13, and 0x1D trim; 0x17 through 0x19 resume sewing; 0x0B through 0x12 needle changes; 0x05 stop; 0x1B pre-end state; and 0x08 end.

Structure sketch

Observed KSM files use a 512-byte header and stateful three-byte records:

struct KsmCandidate<'a> {
    header: [u8; 0x200],
    records: &'a [KsmRecord],
}

struct KsmRecord {
    y: u8,
    x: u8,
    control: u8,                       // 0x40 negates x; 0x20 negates y; low five bits are state
}

enum KsmState {
    Continue,
    Stop,
    Trim,
    ResumeSewing,
    NeedleChange { needle: u8 },
    PreEnd,
    End,
}

What we still need

Known Pfaff KSM files, color/needle behavior, and independent reader validation.