What KERF accepts — and what won't work
A laser, plasma or waterjet needs vector paths to cut along. Anything that boils down to pixels (photos, scans, screenshots) has to be traced into vectors first.
What we accept
All of these go straight through our auto-quote pipeline. The sizing, nesting and pricing all work without anyone touching your file.
- .dxf · 2D vector. The fabricator's default. Preferred.
- .dwg · 2D vector. AutoCAD native — we convert on import.
- .svg · 2D vector. Browser-friendly. We detect the unit declaration in the SVG header.
- .ai · Adobe Illustrator. Save as PDF-compatible.
- .eps · Encapsulated PostScript. Older but still widely supported.
- .step / .stp · 3D solid model. We auto-extract the flat pattern if your part is sheet-metal.
What we reject — and why
- .jpg / .jpeg / .png / .gif / .bmp / .tiff · These are raster formats — grids of pixels. A laser has no way to know "the dark part is the cut line." If you've only got one of these, see raster to vector below.
- .stl / .obj · These are mesh formats — surfaces made of triangles. Designed for 3D printing, not cutting. Export from your CAD as STEP instead.
- .pdf · PDFs can technically wrap vectors, but they routinely include rasters, fonts that won't travel, and security flags that block extraction. Re-export as DXF or SVG.
- .psd / .xd / .fig · Design-tool native files. Export to SVG first.
What's the best format to send?
If your tool can export DXF, send DXF. It's the de-facto industry standard, has explicit unit declarations, and our auto-quote handles it most reliably.
If you're working in 3D CAD (Fusion 360, SolidWorks, Onshape), send STEP. We'll extract the flat sheet pattern and any bend lines automatically.
If you're a designer working in vector tools (Illustrator, Inkscape, Vectornator, Figma), send SVG with units set to mm.
Stuck with only a raster image?
Both Inkscape (free) and Illustrator have built-in tracers that convert pixels to vector paths. Here's the short version:
- File → Import → choose your JPEG/PNG.
- Select the image.
- Path → Trace Bitmap (⇧⌘B).
- Choose "Brightness threshold" for line art; "Colours" for solid shapes.
- Click Apply. Delete the original raster underneath.
- File → Document Properties → set scale, then Save As → DXF.
- File → Place → choose your raster.
- Select the placed image.
- Window → Image Trace → choose a preset (e.g. "Black & White Logo").
- Click Expand in the top bar.
- Verify scale in the Document Setup (set to mm).
- File → Export → Export As → DXF.
Upload your design. Get a real price in under a minute.
Drop your DXF, SVG or STEP file — we'll size, nest and quote it on the spot. No login. No phone calls. Pay when you're ready.
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