Does xTool Creative Space open DXF files?

Yes. xTool lists DXF, along with SVG, PNG, JPG and BMP, as supported import formats. Check the size after import.

Why is my SVG the wrong size in XCS?

The file's units or resolution are read differently from how it was exported. Select the design and type the correct width or height in the size boxes with the proportion lock on.

Why are my fonts missing after importing an SVG?

XCS does not reliably parse live text from SVG files. Convert the text to paths in your design program before exporting.

Can I use PNG files for cutting in XCS?

A PNG is made of pixels, so it is suited to engraving. For a clean cut line you need a vector outline in SVG or DXF.

XCS is provided by xTool for its machines at no extra charge. Features and versions can change, so check xTool's website for your machine.

Import SVG and DXF into xTool Creative Space

You bought an xTool, you downloaded a lovely ornament, you drag it into the software, and it appears the size of a postage stamp. Or a dinner plate. Or not at all. Take a breath: this is one of the most common first-day moments, and it is fixable in a minute once you know where to look.

xTool Creative Space, usually called XCS, is the free design-and-control software that comes with xTool machines. It runs as a desktop app and (depending on version and machine) in a browser. xTool has also been rolling out a newer program called xTool Studio, so menus can look a little different from what you see here. The ideas stay the same.

Which file formats does XCS import?

xTool's own support pages list SVG, DXF, PNG, JPG/JPEG and BMP as supported imports. Newer versions add formats such as WEBP, and the newest xTool Studio notes mention direct Adobe Illustrator files, but which ones you get depends on your version. If in doubt, use SVG or DXF; those two are the safe core.

Format	Type	Best use in XCS
SVG	Vector	Cutting and engraving shapes; the first choice
DXF	Vector	CAD drawings, box outlines, technical parts
PNG / JPG / BMP	Raster	Photos and shaded engraving, not clean cutting

If you want help choosing between vectors, read SVG vs DXF for laser cutting. The short version: SVG is friendlier for artwork, DXF is better for measured parts.

How to import an SVG or DXF, step by step

Open XCS and start a new canvas. Pick your machine in the device selector so the work area matches your bed.
Click the Import button on the left toolbar (it may be called Import Image in some versions), or just drag the file onto the canvas.
The design lands on the canvas. Click it and look at the width and height boxes.
If the size is wrong, type the correct width and keep the lock on so the proportions stay.
In the layers or processing panel, give each shape or color a processing type.
Send the job to the machine, frame it, and run a scrap test.

Try this with the reindeer ornament. It should read 90 × 124 mm in the size boxes. If it does, your import is spot on.

Pro tip: Always import onto a blank canvas the first time. A file that lands on top of old designs is hard to read, and you will lose five minutes working out which line is which.

Cut, score and engrave: assigning the right job

XCS gives each element a processing type, usually Cut, Score and Engrave (some machines add more). DXF World files are made so that this step is easy:

In the file	What it is	Set it to
Red hairline outline (SVG) / layer CUT (DXF)	The edge of the part and the hanging hole	Cut
Black fill (SVG) / layer ENGRAVE (DXF)	Decoration and details	Engrave

Parameters like speed and power depend on your machine and material. XCS often suggests settings if you pick the material from its list, but treat those as a starting point and test on a scrap. Our general guides on laser cutting plywood and cut, engrave and score layers explain the thinking.

Fixing the common import problems

Problem	Likely cause	Fix
Design is tiny or huge	The file's units are read differently	Type the correct size in the width box; keep the lock on
Text is missing or looks wrong	Text objects in SVG are not parsed properly	Convert text to paths in your design program, then export again
Parts are doubled	Duplicated overlapping lines in the DXF	Clean the file; see fix open contours and double lines in DXF
Shapes will not fill when engraving	Open outlines	Close the paths in a vector editor
Everything is one color	Layers were merged in the export	Re-export with CUT and ENGRAVE separated

Common mistake: sending the job to the machine without checking the size. A 90 mm ornament that is secretly 120 mm will not break anything, but it eats material, and a part that is too big for a finger-joint slot is a wasted sheet. Check the numbers, every time.

Why text becomes a problem

Fonts are one of the oldest headaches in vector work. An SVG that says "use this font" only works if your computer has it, and some programs simply do not read live text from SVG. xTool's support advice is to convert text to paths before importing. In Inkscape that is Path > Object to Path; in Illustrator it is Create Outlines. After that, the letters are shapes like any other. See Inkscape for laser cutting for the full free workflow.

Importing raster images

PNG, JPG and BMP files are made of pixels, so XCS treats them as engraving material. They are good for photo engraving on wood, but they will not give you a clean cut line. If you want to cut around a picture, you need a vector outline. Our guide to turning an image into a laser cut file covers that.

Workflow for a first project

Here is a calm routine that works well for ornaments:

Import the SVG onto a blank canvas.
Check the size boxes.
Assign Cut to the outline and Engrave to the fills.
Duplicate the part into a grid. A 300 × 400 mm sheet holds about nine reindeer ornaments in a simple grid.
Frame and test on scrap.
Cut the real sheet.

Cutting one at a time is a classic beginner habit. Fill the sheet instead and your hourly output goes up quickly.

Next step

Pick a small free design, such as the string lights tree ornament, import it into a blank XCS canvas, read the size boxes, and cut one on scrap. If anything looks off, use the problem table above and you will find the fix within a minute or two.

How to Import SVG and DXF Files into xTool Creative Space