Skip to content

Supported File Formats

This page provides detailed information about all file formats supported by Rayforge, including capabilities, limitations, and recommendations.

Format Overview

Quick Reference

Format Type Import Export Recommended Use
SVG Vector  Direct  Primary design format
DXF Vector  Direct  CAD interchange
PDF Mixed  Trace  Document export (limited)
PNG Raster  Trace  Photos, images
JPEG Raster  Trace  Photos
BMP Raster  Trace  Simple graphics
G-code Control   Machine output
Rayforge Project Project   Save/load projects

Vector Formats

SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics)

Extension: .svg MIME Type: image/svg+xml Import: Direct vector parsing or bitmap trace Export: Not supported

What is SVG?

SVG is an XML-based vector image format. It's the preferred format for importing designs into Rayforge.

Supported Features:

  •  Paths (lines, curves, arcs)
  •  Basic shapes (rectangles, circles, ellipses, polygons)
  •  Groups and transformations
  •  Stroke and fill colors
  •  Multiple layers
  •  Coordinate transformations (translate, rotate, scale)

Unsupported/Limited Features:

  •  Text (must be converted to paths first)
  •  Gradients (simplified or ignored)
  •  Filters and effects (ignored)
  •  Masks and clipping paths (may not work correctly)
  •  Embedded raster images (imported separately if possible)
  •  Complex stroke styles (dashes may be simplified)
  •  Symbols and use elements (instances may not update)

Best Practices:

  1. Use Plain SVG format (not Inkscape SVG or other tool-specific variants)
  2. Convert text to paths before exporting
  3. Simplify complex paths to reduce node count
  4. Flatten groups when possible
  5. Remove unused elements (guides, grids, hidden layers)
  6. Set document units to mm (Rayforge's native unit)

Software Recommendations:

  • Inkscape (free) - Excellent SVG support, native format
  • Adobe Illustrator - Professional tool, "Save As SVG" with simplified options
  • Affinity Designer - Good SVG export capabilities
  • Figma - Web-based, export as SVG

DXF (Drawing Exchange Format)

Extension: .dxf MIME Type: application/dxf, image/vnd.dxf Import: Direct vector parsing Export: Not supported

What is DXF?

DXF is an AutoCAD drawing format, widely used for CAD interchange.

Supported Versions:

  •  R12/LT2 (recommended - best compatibility)
  •  R13, R14
  •  R2000 and later (usually works, but R12 is safer)

Supported Entities:

  •  Lines (LINE)
  •  Polylines (LWPOLYLINE, POLYLINE)
  •  Arcs (ARC)
  •  Circles (CIRCLE)
  •  Splines (SPLINE) - converted to polylines
  •  Ellipses (ELLIPSE)
  •  Layers

Unsupported/Limited Features:

  •  3D entities (use 2D projection)
  •  Dimensions and annotations (ignored)
  •  Blocks/inserts (may not instance correctly)
  •  Complex line types (simplified to solid)
  •  Text (ignored, convert to outlines first)
  •  Hatches (may be simplified or ignored)

Common Issues:

1. Wrong scale - Cause: DXF files don't always specify units clearly - Solution: Verify units before export, scale manually if needed

2. Missing entities - Cause: Unsupported entity types or layers turned off - Solution: Check layer visibility, convert complex entities to polylines

3. Segmented curves - Cause: Splines and ellipses converted to line segments - Solution: Increase segment count in export settings

Best Practices:

  1. Export as R12/LT2 DXF for maximum compatibility
  2. Use 2D geometry only (no 3D)
  3. Simplify before export:
  4. Convert splines to polylines
  5. Explode blocks if needed
  6. Remove dimensions and text
  7. Check units (mm recommended)
  8. Test in viewer before importing to Rayforge

Software Recommendations:

  • LibreCAD (free) - Good DXF support
  • QCAD (free community edition) - DXF native format
  • AutoCAD - Industry standard
  • FreeCAD - Free parametric CAD with DXF export
  • Fusion 360 - Free for hobbyists, excellent DXF export

PDF (Portable Document Format)

Extension: .pdf MIME Type: application/pdf Import: Rendered to bitmap, then traced Export: Not supported

What is PDF Import?

Rayforge can import PDF files by rasterizing them first, then tracing to vectors.

Process: 1. PDF rendered to raster image (default 300 DPI) 2. Raster traced to create vector paths 3. Paths added to document

Limitations:

  • Not true vector import - Even vector PDFs are rasterized
  • Quality loss from rasterization
  • First page only - Multi-page PDFs only import page 1
  • Slow for complex PDFs - Rendering and tracing takes time

When to Use:

  • Last resort when SVG/DXF not available
  • Quick import of simple designs
  • Documents with mixed content

Better Alternatives:

  • Export SVG from source instead of PDF
  • Use vector formats (SVG, DXF) when possible
  • For text: Export with text converted to outlines

Raster Formats

All raster formats are imported by tracing - converted to vector paths automatically.

PNG (Portable Network Graphics)

Extension: .png MIME Type: image/png Import: Trace to vectors Export: Not supported

Characteristics:

  • Lossless compression - No quality loss
  • Transparency support - Alpha channel preserved
  • Good for: Logos, line art, screenshots, anything needing transparency

Tracing Quality:  (Excellent for high-contrast images)

Best Practices:

  • Use PNG for logos and graphics with sharp edges
  • Ensure high contrast between foreground and background
  • Transparent background works better than white

JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group)

Extension: .jpg, .jpeg MIME Type: image/jpeg Import: Trace to vectors Export: Not supported

Characteristics:

  • Lossy compression - Some quality loss
  • No transparency - Always has background
  • Good for: Photos, continuous-tone images

Tracing Quality:  (Good for photos, but complex)

Best Practices:

  • Use high-quality JPEG (low compression)
  • Increase contrast before importing
  • Consider pre-processing in image editor
  • Better to convert to PNG first if possible

BMP (Bitmap)

Extension: .bmp MIME Type: image/bmp Import: Trace to vectors Export: Not supported

Characteristics:

  • Uncompressed - Large file sizes
  • Simple format - Widely compatible
  • Good for: Simple graphics, old software output

Tracing Quality:  (Good, but no better than PNG)

Best Practices:

  • Convert to PNG for smaller file size (no quality difference)
  • Only use if source software can't export PNG/SVG

Output Formats

G-code

Extension: .gcode, .nc, .ngc MIME Type: text/plain Import: Not supported Export:  Primary output format

What is G-code?

G-code is the machine control language used by laser controllers.

Rayforge G-code Features:

  • Dialect support: GRBL (primary)
  • Optimized toolpaths: Efficient move ordering
  • Comments: Human-readable annotations
  • Precision control: Configurable decimal places
  • Macro insertion: Custom G-code via hooks

Export Settings:

Setting Description Typical Value
Precision Decimal places for coordinates 3 (e.g., 12.345)
Dialect G-code flavor GRBL
Line numbers Add N line numbers Usually off
Whitespace Add spaces for readability Usually on

File Size:

  • Simple cuts: 1-50 KB
  • Complex engraving: 1-50 MB (large jobs can be >100 MB)

Compatibility:

  •  GRBL 1.1+ (primary target)
  •  grblHAL
  •  GRBL 0.9 (limited testing)
  •  Marlin, Smoothieware (not officially supported)

See G-code Dialects for details.