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Importing Files

Rayforge supports importing various file formats, both vector and raster. This page explains how to import files and optimize them for best results.

Supported File Formats

Vector Formats

Format Extension Import Method Best For
SVG .svg Direct vectors or trace Vector graphics, logos, designs
DXF .dxf Direct vectors CAD drawings, technical designs
PDF .pdf Render and trace Documents with vector content

Raster Formats

Format Extension Import Method Best For
PNG .png Trace to vectors Photos, images with transparency
JPEG .jpg, .jpeg Trace to vectors Photos, continuous-tone images
BMP .bmp Trace to vectors Simple graphics, screenshots

Raster Import

All raster images are traced to create vector paths that can be used for laser operations. The quality depends on the tracing configuration.

Importing Files

Method 1: File Menu

  1. File Import (or Ctrl+I)
  2. Select your file from the file picker
  3. For SVG: Choose import method (see below)
  4. For rasters: Files are automatically traced
  5. File appears in the canvas and document tree

Method 2: Drag and Drop

  1. Drag file from your file manager
  2. Drop onto the Rayforge canvas
  3. Import proceeds as above

Method 3: Command Line

# Open Rayforge with a file
rayforge myfile.svg

# Multiple files
rayforge file1.svg file2.dxf

SVG Import

SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) is the recommended format for vector designs.

Import Options

When importing SVG, Rayforge offers two methods:

How it works:

  • Parses SVG and converts paths directly to Rayforge geometry
  • High-fidelity preservation of curves and shapes
  • Maintains exact vector data

Pros:

  • Best quality and precision
  • Editable paths
  • Small file size

Cons:

  • Some advanced SVG features not supported
  • Complex SVGs may have issues

Use for:

  • Clean vector designs from Inkscape, Illustrator
  • Simple to moderate complexity
  • Designs without advanced SVG features

2. Trace Bitmap

How it works:

  • Renders SVG to a raster image first
  • Traces the rendered image to create vectors
  • More compatible but less precise

Pros:

  • Handles complex SVG features
  • Robust fallback method
  • Supports effects and filters

Cons:

  • Quality loss from rasterization
  • Larger file sizes
  • Not as precise

Use for:

  • SVGs that fail direct import
  • SVGs with effects, filters, gradients
  • When direct import produces errors

SVG Best Practices

Prepare your SVG for best results:

  1. Convert text to paths:

  2. Inkscape: Path Object to Path

  3. Illustrator: Type Create Outlines

  4. Simplify complex paths:

  5. Inkscape: Path Simplify (Ctrl+L)

  6. Remove unnecessary nodes

  7. Ungroup nested groups:

  8. Flatten hierarchy where possible

  9. Object Ungroup (Ctrl+Shift+G)

  10. Remove hidden elements:

  11. Delete guides, grids, construction lines

  12. Remove invisible/transparent objects

  13. Save as Plain SVG:

  14. Inkscape: "Plain SVG" or "Optimized SVG"

  15. Not "Inkscape SVG" (has extra metadata)

  16. Check document units:

  17. Set to mm or inches as appropriate
  18. Rayforge uses mm internally

Common SVG features that may not import:

  • Gradients (convert to solid fills or raster)
  • Filters and effects (flatten to paths)
  • Masks and clipping paths (expand/flatten)
  • Embedded raster images (export separately)
  • Text (convert to paths first)

DXF Import

DXF (Drawing Exchange Format) is common for CAD software.

DXF Versions

Rayforge supports standard DXF formats:

  • R12/LT2 (recommended) - Best compatibility
  • R13, R14 - Good support
  • R2000+ - Generally works, but R12 is safer

Tip: Export as R12/LT2 DXF for maximum compatibility.

DXF Import Tips

Before exporting from CAD:

  1. Simplify the drawing:

  2. Remove unnecessary layers

  3. Delete dimensions and annotations

  4. Remove 3D objects (use 2D projection)

  5. Check units:

  6. Verify drawing units (mm vs inches)

  7. Rayforge assumes mm by default

  8. Flatten layers:

  9. Consider exporting only relevant layers

  10. Hide or delete construction layers

  11. Use appropriate precision:

  12. Laser precision is typically 0.1mm
  13. Don't over-specify precision

After import:

  • Check scale (DXF units may need adjustment)
  • Verify all paths imported correctly
  • Delete any unwanted construction elements

PDF Import

PDF files can contain vector graphics, raster images, or both.

How PDF Import Works

Rayforge renders the PDF to an image, then traces it to create vectors.

Process:

  1. PDF rendered at specified DPI (default 300)
  2. Rendered image traced using vectorization
  3. Resulting paths added to document

Limitations:

  • Text is rasterized (not editable as paths)
  • Vector quality depends on rendering DPI
  • Multi-page PDFs: only first page imported

PDF Import Tips

Best results:

  1. Use vector PDFs:

  2. PDFs created from vector software (Illustrator, Inkscape)

  3. Not scanned documents or embedded images

  4. Export SVG instead if possible:

  5. Most design software can export SVG directly

  6. SVG will have better quality than PDF import

  7. For documents with text:

  8. Export as SVG with fonts converted to paths
  9. Or render PDF at high DPI (600+) and trace

Raster Image Import (PNG, JPG, BMP)

Raster images are automatically traced to create vector paths.

Tracing Process

How it works:

  1. Image loaded into Rayforge
  2. Tracing algorithm detects edges and shapes
  3. Vector paths created from the traced edges
  4. Paths added to the document as workpieces

Tracing Configuration

Adjustable parameters:

Parameter Description Effect
Threshold Black/white cutoff Lower = more detail, higher = simpler
Despeckle Remove noise Higher = cleaner, removes small details
Smoothing Curve smoothing Higher = smoother but less accurate
Corner Threshold Sharp vs smooth corners Lower = more sharp corners

Default settings work well for most images.

Preparing Images for Tracing

For best results:

  1. High contrast:

  2. Adjust brightness/contrast in image editor

  3. Clear distinction between foreground and background

  4. Clean background:

  5. Remove noise and artifacts

  6. Solid white or transparent background

  7. Appropriate resolution:

  8. 300-500 DPI for photos

  9. Too high = slow tracing, too low = poor quality

  10. Crop to content:

  11. Remove unnecessary borders

  12. Focus on the area to be engraved/cut

  13. Convert to black and white:

  14. For cutting: pure B&W
  15. For engraving: grayscale is fine

Image editing tools:

  • GIMP (free)
  • Photoshop
  • Krita (free)
  • Paint.NET (free, Windows)

Trace Quality

Good trace candidates:

  • Logos with clear edges
  • High-contrast images
  • Line art and drawings
  • Text (though better as vector)

Poor trace candidates:

  • Low-resolution images
  • Photos with soft edges
  • Images with gradients
  • Very detailed or complex photos

Import Troubleshooting

File Won't Import

Problem: Rayforge doesn't recognize or can't open the file.

Solutions:

  1. Check file format - Ensure it's a supported type
  2. Try different format - Convert SVG DXF or vice versa
  3. Re-export from source - Original software may have export issues
  4. Check file corruption - Open in another application first
  5. Simplify the file - Remove complex features and retry

Import is Empty

Problem: File imports but nothing appears in canvas.

Diagnosis:

  1. Extremely large coordinates - Objects far from origin
  2. Empty file - No actual content
  3. Unsupported features only - All elements filtered out

Solutions:

  • Zoom out significantly or View Zoom to Fit
  • Check source file in original application
  • Simplify and re-export from design software
  • Check document tree - objects may be there but not visible

Imported Shapes are Wrong

Problem: Shapes are distorted, wrong size, or incorrect.

Common causes:

  1. Unit mismatch - File in inches, interpreted as mm (or vice versa)
  2. Scale issue - DPI or export settings wrong
  3. Transform matrix - Complex transformations not handled
  4. Curved paths - Arc/bezier conversion issues

Solutions:

  • Check source units - Verify document units before export
  • Scale manually - Measure and correct after import
  • Simplify paths - Convert complex curves to simpler forms
  • Export as simpler format - Try different export settings

Trace Quality Poor

Problem: Raster images trace with jagged or incorrect paths.

Solutions:

  1. Increase image resolution - Use higher quality source
  2. Adjust threshold - Find right balance for your image
  3. Pre-process image - Edit for contrast and cleanup
  4. Use smaller despeckle - Preserve more detail
  5. Trace manually - Redraw in vector software instead

Import Takes Forever

Problem: Import process is extremely slow.

Causes:

  • Very complex SVG (thousands of paths)
  • High-resolution raster being traced
  • Large file size

Solutions:

  • Simplify in design software before importing
  • Reduce image resolution for rasters
  • Split large files into multiple smaller files
  • Remove unnecessary elements (guides, hidden layers)

File Organization Tips

Naming Conventions

Good file names:

  • logo-engrave.svg
  • box-cuts-3mm-ply.dxf
  • photo-portrait-150x200.png

Include:

  • Project name
  • Operation type (cut, engrave)
  • Material/thickness if relevant
  • Dimensions

File Preparation Checklist

Before importing:

  • Text converted to paths
  • Complex paths simplified
  • Hidden elements removed
  • Correct units set
  • Appropriate file format selected
  • File tested in original software
  • Exported with compatible settings

Design Software Recommendations

Vector design:

  • Inkscape (free, excellent SVG support)
  • Adobe Illustrator (professional, paid)
  • Affinity Designer (affordable alternative)
  • LibreCAD (free, for DXF/CAD work)

Raster editing:

  • GIMP (free, powerful)
  • Photoshop (professional, paid)
  • Krita (free, good for digital art)