File preparation: laser cutting guides
SVG and DXF, layers, scaling, fixing files. Every article on file preparation, with short answers and tables of real values.
6 min · 14.11How to Turn an Image into a Laser Cut FileTo turn an image into a laser cut file, start with a high-contrast picture, trace it to vector paths (Path > Trace Bitmap in Inkscape or Trace…7 min · 14.11Cut, Engrave and Score Layers ExplainedA cut layer follows a line at low speed and high power to separate the part, a score layer follows a line at low power to leave a shallow mark,…6 min · 14.11How to Fix Open Contours and Double Lines in DXF FilesTo fix open contours in a DXF, select open shapes, join end points with an auto-join tolerance of about 0.05 to 0.2 mm, then delete duplicate…4 min · 14.11 · Quick answerHow Big Should the Hanging Hole Be in a Laser Cut Ornament?For a 3 mm plywood ornament, make the hanging hole 3 to 5 mm in diameter and keep at least 3 mm of material between the hole and the nearest edge.…7 min · 14.11How to Prepare an SVG for Laser CuttingTo prepare an SVG for laser cutting, set the artboard to real millimetres, convert text and objects to paths, give cut lines a hairline stroke in…6 min · 14.11How to Scale Laser Files Without Breaking ThemTo scale a laser file correctly, lock the aspect ratio, scale to a measured target size in millimetres, and then recheck small features: holes,…4 min · 14.11 · Quick answerWhat Is a Hairline Stroke in a Laser File?A hairline stroke is the thinnest line a vector program can draw, in practice about 0.01 to 0.1 mm wide, used to mark a path that the laser should…4 min · 14.11 · Quick answerWhat Is Nesting in Laser Cutting and How Much Material Does It Save?Nesting is arranging parts on a sheet so they use as little material as possible. The saving depends on the shapes: rectangles gain almost nothing…4 min · 14.11 · Quick answerWhat Units Should a DXF File Use for Laser Cutting?A DXF for laser cutting should use millimetres, with the header variable INSUNITS set to 4, and be drawn at real size in 2D. A DXF does not carry…4 min · 14.11 · Quick answerWhy Is My SVG the Wrong Size in LightBurn?An SVG opens at the wrong size in LightBurn mostly because the file has no real units and its pixels are converted at a different DPI than the…6 min · 14.11Inches to mm for Laser Cutting Files: Conversion Chart and Setup GuideOne inch is exactly 25.4 mm, so 1/8 in is 3.175 mm and 1/4 in is 6.35 mm. For laser files, pick one unit, check that the SVG or DXF imports at the…4 min · 14.11 · Quick answerWhat Size Should a Laser Cut Coaster Be?Most laser cut coasters are 3.5 to 4 inches (about 90 to 100 mm) round or square, and 1/8 to 1/4 inch (3 to 6 mm) thick. A 3.5 inch coaster gives…6 min · 14.11Laser Cut Picture Frame Sizes: 4x6, 5x7 and 8x10 Measurements That WorkDesign a laser cut frame around the photo, not the frame. For a 4x6 photo (101.6 x 152.4 mm), cut a pocket about 1 mm bigger per side and a front…3 min · 14.11 · Quick answerWhat Are Standard Laser Cutter Bed Sizes in Inches?Common hobby laser work areas range from about 12 x 8 in on small CO2 machines to about 16 x 16 in on desktop diodes, around 19.5 x 11 in on a…