Saving file from Solidworks and import it in lighburn as a vector file

Laser
#1

I save a Solidworks file as an Ai or PDF file, but when I open the file, it looks like an image file. Also, I opened the Ai or PDF file in adobe illustrator and saved the file as an SVG file, but when I opened the SVG file in lighburn it said it was an image instead of a vector file. I also try to convert the PDF file to an SVG file online, but it is still an image. Any idea how I should save the Solidworks as a vector file?

#2

I did this recently following the steps in this video:

Just make sure to save it as .svg at the end

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#3

Thank you. i will try that

#4

For anyone else. Going from any CAD, Sketchup, or VCarve to the LASER is best achieved by exporting your design as a SVG file. Lightburn does very well with this format.

#5

Chances are that stroke width is the issue. If the stroke width is > .001" on the image (sometimes up to .003" depending on the laser software) then it gets interpreted as a raster.

I have no clue what size default stroke width Solidworks creates.

Open your file in either Illustrator or Inkscape and stroke all the vectors with .001 inches. That should solve your problem.

#6

Very good point I forgot to mention. A real head scratcher when it hits your workflow.

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