What File Formats Does LightBurn Support?
LightBurn imports vector files in SVG, DXF, AI, PDF and PLT/HPGL form, plus common image types such as PNG, JPG and BMP. It exports selected graphics as SVG, DXF or AI and saves its own projects as .lbrn files. Convert DWG to DXF first, and outline text in AI or PDF files.
You have a folder full of files with different extensions and no idea which ones will open. Relax: LightBurn is one of the most forgiving programs out there.
LightBurn is laser control software that imports vector and image files, assigns laser settings to them, and sends the job to the machine.
Format table
| Format | Direction | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SVG | Import and export | Best all-round vector format |
| DXF | Import and export | CAD files; check units |
| AI (Adobe Illustrator) | Import and export | Outline text first |
| Import | Vector content; outline text first | |
| PLT / HPGL | Import | Plotter files; limited command set |
| PNG, JPG, BMP and other images | Import | For engraving or tracing |
| G-code | Import geometry only | Only the geometry saved in the file |
| LBRN / LBRN2 | Open and save | LightBurn project files |
| DWG | Not directly | Convert to DXF first |
Versions differ; check the File menu of yours.
Factors that cause trouble
- Units and scale. SVG resolution can change the size; see why an SVG is the wrong size in LightBurn and what units a DXF should use.
- Text. Embedded fonts are not imported, so convert text to outlines before exporting from AI, PDF or SVG.
- Open paths. Fills need closed shapes; see fix open contours.
- Layers. DXF layers and SVG colors become LightBurn layers, but check each one.
Pro tip: Import into a blank workspace and press the size boxes first. Fix scale before adding anything else.
Worked example
Import our reindeer ornament SVG: red CUT hairline and black ENGRAVE fill. LightBurn shows two layers. Set red to Line and black to Fill, confirm 90 × 124 mm, and arrange nine on a 300 × 400 mm sheet. The DXF version, with layers CUT and ENGRAVE, imports the same way.
Common mistake: importing a photo and expecting a cut line. A PNG or JPG is pixels; trace it or draw a vector outline first, as in turn an image into a laser cut file.
Exporting from LightBurn
LightBurn can also send your work back out. Select the shapes you want, then export as SVG, DXF or AI. This is handy when a customer's cutter needs a DXF, or when you want to tidy a design in Inkscape. Exports contain the selected graphics, not your laser settings, so keep the .lbrn project as your master copy.
| Task | Best format |
|---|---|
| Sharing artwork with another laser program | SVG |
| Sending a part to a CNC or CAD user | DXF |
| Editing in Illustrator | AI |
| Keeping all layers and settings | LBRN project |
A simple habit helps: save the original download, save your LightBurn project, and export only when you need to hand something over. You will never wonder which version is the real one, and you will never lose the settings you worked out on a good afternoon.
Start with LightBurn for beginners.
Questions and answers
Does LightBurn open SVG files?
Yes, and it can export selected graphics as SVG too.
Does LightBurn open DXF files?
Yes. Check units and clean up open or duplicated lines after import.
Can LightBurn open DWG?
Not directly. Convert DWG to DXF in a CAD program first.
Does LightBurn import text from PDF or AI?
Fonts may not come through, so convert text to outlines before exporting.
What is LightBurn's own file type?
Project files are saved as .lbrn (or .lbrn2 in newer versions).