A personal laser cutter is a great way to create unique and customized pieces for your home or office. But before you can start laser cutting, you need to know what laser cut file type is compatible with your machine!
In this blog post, we will explain the different file types that are used for laser engravers, and we will show you how to create each type of file.
Best Laser Cut File Type
There are three main types of files that are used for laser cutting: vector file formats, raster files, and bitmap images. Vector files are the most popular type of file for laser cutting because they can be scaled to any size without losing quality. Raster files are also popular because they can be easily converted into vector files. Bitmap files are less popular because they are not as easy to edit and scale.
What Is The Best Laser Cut File Type?
Let’s dig into them and figure out what each one brings to the table.
Vector Laser Cut File Type
Vector files also called Scalable vector Graphics or SVG files are types of image files. Recently they have gained a more wide range of fans due to their use with the Cricut Machine and other cutters.
PDF files are also considered vector images, as well as EPS format and DXF Format.
What Is A Vector Image Format?
A vector file is an image built with mathematical formulas that establish a point on a grid. It sounds really technical but it’s really not that hard to make vector lines, if you want to learn more check out this post. Vector files have no pixels and this is what allows you to scale them larger or smaller with no loss of quality.
Vector Paths are a pretty standard format when it comes to design.
Pros of Vector Format
Vector files are popular because these design files can be scaled to any size without losing quality. This means that you can create a small vector design and then enlarge it to fit a larger piece of material. Vector files are also easy to edit because you can simply select the shapes that you want to change and then make your changes.
Cons of Vector Files
Really, the only drawback to vector files is that they can be more difficult to create than raster or bitmap files. Because the programs to make vector files are less accessible than those required to make raster or bitmap files, the familiarity with the vector file programs may be somewhat limited initially – making for a bit of a learning curve.
How Do You Make Vector Files for Laser Cutting?
There are two ways that you can make vector files for laser cutting: either by using a vector graphics editor like Adobe Illustrator or Inkscape or by converting a raster file into a vector file.
If you want to use a vector graphics editor, you will need to create your design using shapes and lines. Once your design is complete, you will need to export it as a .dxf or .svg file. These .dxf or .svg files will be the files you load directly to your laser.
If you want to convert a raster file into a vector file, you will need to use a program like Adobe Illustrator or Inkscape. First, open your raster file in the program. Next, select the “Image Trace” tool and use it to convert your raster file into a vector file. This will allow you to edit the file as a vector image – giving you the flexibility to edit it which makes vector files so much more desirable. Finally, export your new vector file as a .dxf or .svg file so you can load these to the laser for cutting.
Raster Images
Raster files are created in raster graphics editors like Adobe Photoshop or GIMP. To create a raster file, you will need to draw your design using pixels. Once your design is complete, you will need to export it as a .jpg, .png, or .bmp file.
What Is A Raster Image?
A raster is a rectangular array of pixels. A great visual of a raster line (if you are old enough) is the first computers and video games. Those “square looking” images are raster.
Pros of Raster Files
Raster files are popular because they can be easily converted into vector files. This means that you can create a complex design in a raster graphics editor and then convert it into a vector file for laser cutting. Raster files are also easy to edit because you can simply select the pixels that you want to change and then make your changes.
Cons of Raster Files
Raster files are less popular than vector files because they are not as easy to edit and scale. This means that if you want to make a small change to your design, you will need to redraw the entire design. Raster files are also not as easy to resize because the quality of the design will decrease when you enlarge or reduce the size of the file.
How Do You Make Raster Files for a Laser Engraving Machine?
There are two ways that you can make raster files for laser cutting: either by using a raster graphics editor like Adobe Photoshop or GIMP or by converting a vector file into a raster file.
If you want to use a raster graphics editor, you will need to create your design using pixels.
Bitmap Files
Bitmap files are created in bitmap graphics editors like Microsoft Paint or Paint.NET. To create a bitmap file, you will need to draw your design using pixels. Once your design is complete, you will need to export it as a .jpg, .png, or .bmp file.
What Is A Bitmap Image?
Bitmap format is an uncompressed raster file designed to display high-resolution images. This file type will get you the best engraving results when creating complex 2d and 3d designs. You can not create laser cuts with a Bitmap image.
Pros of Bitmap Files
Bitmap files are amazing for line engraving. This is where you take your initial image and prepare it for laser etching onto another material like wood or acrylic.
Cons of Bitmap Files
Bitmap files are less popular because they are not as easy to edit and scale. This means that if you want to make a small change to your design, you will need to redraw the entire design. Bitmap files are also not as easy to resize because the quality of the design will decrease when you enlarge or reduce the size of the file.
How Do You Make Bitmap Files for Laser Cutting?
There are two ways that you can make bitmap files for laser cutting: either by using a bitmap graphics editor like Microsoft Paint or Paint.NET or by converting a vector file into a bitmap file.
If you want to use a bitmap graphics editor, you will need to create your design using pixels. Once your design is complete, you will need to export it as a .jpg, .png, or .bmp file. These .jpg, .png, or .bmp files will be the files you load directly to your laser if your laser will accept these. If your laser will not accept these file types, you’ll have to convert to .svg or .dxf. This is entirely limited by your laser, though, so look specifically at the documentation regarding the specific file types it will accept.
What’s the Best File Type for Laser Cutters?
The most common file type to use for laser cut file type, in my opinion, is a vector file, or bitmap for two-dimensional graphics. Vector files can be scaled to any size without losing quality, and they are easy to edit. If you are new to laser cutting, we recommend starting with a vector file – that way you don’t run into any missteps.
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