File formats · DXF
DXF files for laser cutting
DXF is the CAD world’s exchange format. It carries precise geometry between drawing programs, CNC software and laser controllers, which makes it the format of choice when a design has to fit something exactly.
What is a DXF?
DXF (Drawing Exchange Format) was created by Autodesk for moving drawings between AutoCAD and other programs, and it became the common language of CAD and CNC. Like SVG it is vector, but it is built around engineering geometry: lines, arcs, circles and polylines in drawing units. It doesn’t carry fills or styling the way an SVG does.
SVG or DXF?
| Use SVG when | Use DXF when |
|---|---|
| Your laser software is xTool Creative Space, Glowforge or Inkscape | Your workflow goes through CAD (Fusion, AutoCAD, FreeCAD) or CNC software (Vectric, Easel) |
| You need fill engraving and colours for layers | You only need cut and score geometry |
| You’re working in a design program | A machine shop, a CO₂ controller’s own software (such as RDWorks) or a CNC router asked for DXF |
LightBurn reads both. The LightBurn export preset in Laser Generator Studio writes both, so you can use whichever you prefer.
R12 and polylines
DXF has many versions. The oldest widely supported one, R12, is the safe choice because almost every program can read it. Laser Generator Studio writes DXF R12 with polylines: each outline is one connected chain of points rather than hundreds of loose line segments. Connected outlines matter for lasers and CNC because the machine can follow each shape in one continuous move, and software can tell which shapes are closed.
Units and scale
A DXF stores numbers, and the units are not always clear. The most common DXF problem is a part that imports 25.4 times too big or too small, a millimetre drawing read as inches or the other way round. When you import, check the units option and measure one known dimension. Laser Generator Studio’s DXF files are drawn in millimetres.
Common DXF problems
- Wrong scale: units mismatch (mm vs inches). Set units on import.
- Shapes made of separate segments: the file used loose lines instead of polylines; join them in CAD or re-export as polylines.
- Splines not supported: some older software can’t read spline curves; export as polylines or arcs.
- Text missing: DXF text depends on fonts; convert text to outlines first.
DXF for CNC routers
The CNC/CAD export preset writes DXF R12 for Fusion, Vectric and Easel. The CNC router preset writes G-code with bit compensation plus a DXF, for GRBL routers such as Shapeoko, X-Carve, Onefinity and Genmitsu machines.
Getting a DXF
Every studio in the app exports DXF alongside SVG, PDF and the other formats. To convert an existing SVG, drop it into Import & Nest: see SVG to DXF. For more on choosing formats, see laser file formats and SVG for laser cutting.
AutoCAD, Fusion, FreeCAD, Vectric, Easel, RDWorks, LightBurn, xTool Creative Space, Glowforge, Inkscape, Shapeoko, X-Carve, Onefinity and Genmitsu are trademarks of their respective owners. Laser Generator Studio is independent and not affiliated with them.