Two kinds of laser file
Laser cutters and engravers treat vectors and bitmaps very differently, so this image to SVG for laser tool gives you both.
- Vectors (SVG or DXF) describe outlines. The laser follows the path, which is how you cut shapes out of plywood or acrylic, score fold lines, or vector-engrave filled logos. Choose Cut or score – black & white vector.
- Bitmaps (PNG) are grids of dots. The laser scans back and forth and fires for each black dot, which is how you engrave photos. Because a laser cannot fire “half strength” reliably, grey tones are simulated with patterns of dots – dithering. Choose Engrave a photo – dithered bitmap.
Cut or score: making a clean vector
The image is converted to pure black and white, then traced. Threshold moves the boundary: raise it to make more of the image black (thicker lines, bolder shapes), lower it for thinner strokes. Invert swaps black and white, which helps with light artwork on a dark background.
Output decides what the paths look like:
- Filled shapes (engrave/cut areas) – solid black shapes. Use for vector engraving of logos and text, or when your software converts fills into cut outlines.
- Outlines only (hairline, for cutting/scoring) – thin strokes along each edge. Most laser software (LightBurn, xTool Creative Space, Glowforge) treats hairlines as cut lines.
Type the Width (mm) of the finished piece. The SVG and DXF are written in millimetres at that exact width, so you can import at 100% scale. The DXF uses closed polylines on a layer named CUT or ENGRAVE, which CAD and CNC software understands.
Engrave a photo: dithering for wood, leather and slate
Pick a Resolution that matches your machine’s line interval: 254 DPI (0.1 mm), 318 DPI (0.08 mm), 400 DPI or 500 DPI. Higher is not always better: if dots are closer than your laser’s spot size, they merge and the image goes muddy. Many diode lasers engrave wood best at 254–318 DPI.
Choose a Dither method:
- Floyd–Steinberg – smooth tones; the safe default on most woods.
- Atkinson – crisper and higher contrast; good for portraits on maple, birch and cork.
- Ordered / Bayer – a regular cross-hatch pattern with a deliberate texture.
- Threshold (no dither) – pure black and white, for line art and stencils.
Then adjust the image. Lasers darken mid-tones because burns spread, so most photos need lightening. Gamma (100 = unchanged) lifts mid-tones without blowing out highlights – most woods need about 120–180. Brightness shifts the whole image and Contrast separates the subject from the background. Tick Negative (for slate, black acrylic, anodised metal) for materials that turn light where the laser hits.
Importing into your laser software
LightBurn: import the PNG, open the layer settings and set the image mode to Pass-Through, because the image is already dithered. Set the line interval to match the DPI you chose (254 DPI = 0.1 mm). For SVG/DXF, check that the size reads the width you typed.
xTool Creative Space and Glowforge: drag in the SVG for cuts and scores. For photos, use the PNG and turn off the software’s own dithering or “photo enhancement” if it offers one.
Always run a small test on scrap of the same material first, then adjust power and speed – no file can compensate for a mismatched power setting.
Picking good source images
For cutting, logos, silhouettes and line art convert most cleanly. A photo can become cuttable line art with Photo to Line Drawing. For engraving, choose photos with good lighting and a clear subject; removing a busy background first with Remove Background makes portraits stand out. Our guide Image to SVG for laser cutting and engraving covers materials, settings and common mistakes in more detail.
Need a vector at a different size or as a PDF? Use the SVG Converter. For a full-colour vector instead of black and white, use Image to SVG.
Privacy
Everything is processed in your browser; nothing is uploaded. Engraving a client’s photo or an unreleased design is safe to do here.
Common problems and fixes
- Cut lines are doubled. You exported Filled shapes and your software cut both sides of thin strokes. Switch to Outlines only, or set the layer to fill/engrave.
- The piece is the wrong size. Your software rescaled on import. Turn off “scale to fit” and import at 100%; units are millimetres.
- Photo looks blotchy. Lower the DPI to match your spot size and use Floyd–Steinberg.
Frequently asked questions
Which file should I use in LightBurn?
For cutting and scoring, import the SVG or DXF. For photo engraving, import the dithered PNG and set LightBurn's image mode to Pass-Through so it does not dither a second time.
What DPI should I choose?
Match your laser's line interval. 254 DPI equals 0.1 mm, 318 DPI equals 0.08 mm and suits fine woods and small spot sizes; 400 and 500 DPI suit diode and fibre lasers with very small spots.
Which dither method is best?
Floyd–Steinberg gives smooth tones and suits most woods. Atkinson is crisper with higher contrast and suits portraits on light woods. Ordered / Bayer gives a regular grid pattern, and Threshold gives pure black and white with no dithering.
Why is my engraving too dark?
Burns spread into neighbouring dots, so mid-tones darken. Raise Gamma above 100 (most woods need 120–180) and lower Contrast slightly.
What does Negative do?
It inverts the engraving for materials that turn light when lasered, such as slate, black acrylic and anodised aluminium.
Filled shapes or Outlines only?
Filled shapes are for engraving or cutting solid areas. Outlines only gives hairline strokes, which most laser software treats as cut or score lines.
Will the size be correct?
Yes. The SVG and DXF use millimetres and the width you entered. Import at 100% scale and do not let the software rescale it.