Info > Design > Layers and colors

Follow the drawing rules so that your drawing is read correctly by the website.

Layers and colors

What do I need?

For laser cutting, you need a vector drawing, which is a digital drawing made up of lines. You can use programs such as Adobe Illustrator, AutoCad and Rhinoceros for this purpose. Work according to our drawing rules so your drawing will be read correctly.

Drawing layout

Format your drawing according to the rules below to order immediately. You can use almost any vector editing program for this.

File Types

DWG, DXF, AI, PDF

Scale

1:1

Unit

Millimeters

Maximum size

1200x600 mm

Outlines

Convert text and tessellations to outlines

Clean files

No size markings, frames, centerlines, etc.

Layer name and line color

As described below

Layers and colors

Use the correct layer name and line color for laser cutting or engraving.
The preview in the uploader shows how your drawing is loaded, we produce what the preview shows.

color Layer name Line type
Cut Blue (rgb 0,0,255) cut lines, polylines,curves, splines
Line engraving Red (rgb 255,0,0) line engraving lines, polylines,curves, splines
Surface Engraving Magenta (rgb 255,0,255) planar engraving closed lines, polylines,curves and splines

 

Also check out the tutorial How do I make an engraving?

Drawing Tips

Convert text elements to vector lines

Convert shapes into lines according to the drawing rules

Convert overlapping plane engravings to shapes

Merging overlapping cut lines

Draw a frame around engravings to upload them

Litters

If you need different parts of the same material, you can combine them into one drawing (nests). Read how nesting works here

Cut width

The cutting width of the laser beam, or cutting loss, is between 0.15 and 0.2 mm depending on the material.

When you draw a line, half the cut width disappears on both sides.
An example with a cut width of 0.2 mm:

You can compensate for the cut width in your drawing. This is necessary, for example, to make close-fitting joints.

Video

Software and templates

It is not necessary to use a template but it will help you get started quickly.

Autocad

Export to.dwg 2004 natural

Download template for laser cutting in Autocad.

Adobe Illustrator

Export to.ai (pdf compatibility on)

View tutorial for drawing formatting in Adobe Illustrator.

Download template for laser cutting in Adobe Illustrator.

Rhinoceros

Export to.dxf 2004 natural

Inkscape

Export to.pdf

View tutorial for drawing formatting in Autocad.

Download template for laser cutting in Inkscape.

SolidWorks

Export to.dxf

View tutorial for drawing formatting in Solidworks.

Onshape

Export to.pdf (drawings or .dxf (parts)

View tutorial for drawing formatting in Onshape.

SketchUp Pro

Export to.pdf

View tutorial for drawing formatting in SketchUp Pro.

Download template for laser cutting in SketchUp Pro.

Vectorworks

Export to.pdf

View tutorial for drawing formatting in Vectorworks.

Download template for laser cutting in Vectorworks.

How do I create a design for laser cutting? - Snijlab

How do I create a design for laser cutting?

The possibilities with laser cutting are endless, but this sometimes makes finding a starting point difficult. In addition, it can be confusing to take into account all drawing rules. To j...