How do I export my vectors for a laser program, a vinyl cutter or a customer proof, and what gets left behind?

What export does

File > Export writes vectors only, in one of five formats: EPS, DXF, AI, SVG or PDF. It exports the selected vectors, or all visible vectors if nothing is selected. Toolpaths, bitmaps and 3D components are not part of a vector export. The documentation notes one extra: DXF keeps the layer information of the exported vectors.

Steps for a laser or vinyl cutter

1. Save the job, then work on a copy.
2. Select any text and use Convert Text to Curves. After this the text cannot be edited as text, which is why you work on a copy. LightBurn's documentation says text objects are not imported and must be converted to paths in the source program.
3. Hide the layers you do not want, or select only the vectors you do want.
4. Choose File > Export and pick the format the other program reads:

• LightBurn imports AI, SVG, DXF, PDF and plotter files (PLT, HPGL). It assigns a separate cut layer to each color it finds in the file.
• Cricut Design Space uploads SVG and DXF as cut-ready vector images. Cricut notes that DXF is not supported in its iOS and Android apps and that an SVG is limited to 5,000 paths.

5. Open the file in the other program and check one known dimension before cutting.

Steps for a customer proof

1. Choose File > Export > PDF.
2. Pick Export All or Export Selected Only.
3. Tick the sheets to include. Each sheet becomes its own page.
4. Choose All visible layers or Selected layers only.
5. Check Export Job Bounds to add an outline of the material so the customer sees the design in proportion to the blank.

What to expect

• The official FAQ states that DXF holds only arcs and straight lines, not Bezier curves. For smooth lettering going to a laser, try SVG, AI or PDF first.
• File > Print is not a scale drawing. The documentation says the printed view is always scaled to fit the page and is never spread across several pages. Use the PDF export when size matters.

Pro tips

• Sort vectors onto named layers before a DXF export so the other program receives them organized.
• For a realistic picture of the finished piece instead of line art, see the entry on creating 3D mockup images from the preview.