SVG
Scalable vector artwork. Often useful for laser design workflows. Physical size can depend on width/height units and application import behavior.
Laser Setup Assistant
DESIGNEROOH Free Tool
Laser Setup Assistant: Laser Cutting & Engraving Settings
Pick your machine, material and operation to get a recommended starting range for speed, power, passes, air assist and focus, then test it with built-in tools.
Safety first: never cut PVC, vinyl, chlorinated or unknown plastics, or any unknown material. Never leave a running laser unattended.
Laser Test Grid Generator
Make a grid of power and speed combinations. Cut or engrave it on scrap of your exact material, then pick the cell with the best result. Values use your software's units (speed in mm/s).
Kerf Test Assistant
Kerf is the width of material the laser removes. Cut several squares of a known design size, stack or line them up, and measure the total width of all pieces.
Slot & Tab Assistant
Calculates a starting slot width to draw in your design. Material thickness varies between sheets, so always cut a small fit test first.
Machine profiles
Saved only in this browser (localStorage). No account needed.
Recent setups
What Is the Laser Setup Assistant?
The Laser Setup Assistant is a free tool from DESIGNEROOH that turns your machine, material, thickness and operation into a recommended starting range for laser cutting and engraving settings. It is a rules-based helper, not a database of guaranteed values, so every result points you to a test before you run a full project.
How Laser Settings Work
Laser speed and power control how much energy lands on each millimetre of material. Slower speed or higher power adds energy, faster speed or lower power removes it. Passes repeat the same path, line interval or DPI sets how closely engraving lines are spaced, and focus decides how small and intense the beam spot is.
How to Choose Speed and Power
For cutting, most people keep power high and adjust speed until the beam just cuts through, adding passes if needed. For engraving, lower power and faster speeds give lighter marks, and slower speeds or more power make darker, deeper marks. Change one variable at a time and log the result.
Why Laser Settings Vary
The same wattage rating can behave differently between machines because of optical output, lens, focus, beam quality, air assist, tube or diode age and mechanics. Materials also vary: plywood glue, acrylic type, humidity, moisture and sheet quality all change results. That is why a settings chart from another machine is only a rough reference.
How to Test Your Material
- Identify your machine and material.
- Measure the real thickness.
- Clean the lens.
- Focus correctly.
- Set air assist.
- Generate a test grid in the tool above.
- Test a small area.
- Inspect the cut or engraving.
- Adjust the range.
- Save the settings that worked.
Free test files and more help are on DESIGNEROOH Free Laser Tests, and materials are covered in the Laser Materials Database. A plywood-specific guide is at Laser Cutting Plywood.
Machine-Specific Laser Setup
Glowforge users usually work with the Glowforge App and its material presets, so the tool's ranges act as a guide for non-preset materials. xTool machines commonly use xTool Creative Space or LightBurn. AtomStack, Sculpfun and many other diode machines are usually run from LightBurn or LaserGRBL, where speed is shown in mm/s or mm/min depending on the software. CO2 machines such as OMTech or Monport commonly use LightBurn with a Ruida controller. For all of them, follow the manufacturer's material guidance first. Other resources: Laser Cutting Machines Guide and Laser Tools & Calculators.
LightBurn Setup
In LightBurn, set a layer to Line for cutting or scoring and Fill or Image for engraving. Enter Speed (mm/s by default), Max Power, and Number of Passes. For Fill and Image, also set Line Interval or DPI, and enable Air Assist per layer if your machine supports it. Use the Material Test generator in LightBurn or the grid above, and save good results to your Material Library. Pick your machine's software in the tool to see matching units.
Laser Troubleshooting
| Problem | Check first |
|---|---|
| Not cutting through | Focus, lens cleanliness, slower speed, more passes, actual thickness. |
| Burnt or dark edges | Too much power or too slow, air assist, resin or glue, dirty lens. |
| Engraving too dark | Reduce power or increase speed, check focus, widen line interval. |
| Engraving too light | Increase power or slow down, refocus, tighten line interval. |
| Blurry detail | Focus, loose belts or mechanics, vibration, too much air. |
| Inconsistent results | Warped material, uneven bed, varying sheet batches. |
More fixes: Laser Problems & Solutions.
Laser Safety
- Laser cutting can create fire hazards, so keep a suitable extinguisher nearby.
- Laser fumes can be hazardous. Use appropriate ventilation or extraction.
- Never leave a laser unattended while it is running.
- Follow the manufacturer's instructions, and use the enclosure and eye protection they recommend.
- Never cut PVC, vinyl, chlorinated plastics, unknown plastics or unknown materials. They can release toxic or corrosive fumes, including chlorine compounds, that harm you and damage your machine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a laser setup assistant?
A laser setup assistant is a tool that suggests a starting range of speed, power, passes, air assist and focus for your machine and material. It saves time, but you still need to test on scrap.
What settings should I use for my laser?
Use the recommended starting range from the tool, then run a power and speed test grid on your exact material. Pick the cleanest result and record it.
Why do laser settings vary?
Optical output, lens, focus, air assist, machine condition, material composition, thickness and humidity all change results, even between machines with the same wattage rating.
What settings should I use for plywood?
Start with a high-power, moderate-speed test for cutting and add passes if needed. Glue layers and sheet quality vary, so test your own plywood. See the DESIGNEROOH plywood guide for more detail.
What settings should I use for acrylic?
CO2 lasers handle cast and extruded acrylic well, usually with air assist. Diode lasers generally cannot cut clear acrylic and work best on dark opaque pieces. Always test first.
Can I use these settings with LightBurn?
Yes. Choose LightBurn in the tool and enter speed, power and passes on a layer. For Fill and Image modes, also set line interval or DPI.
Can I use these settings with xTool?
Yes, as a starting point. xTool machines can run from xTool Creative Space or LightBurn, but your machine's material library and manufacturer guidance come first.
Can I use these settings with Glowforge?
Glowforge normally uses its own material presets, so use the tool only as a guide for materials without a preset and test carefully.
Can I use these settings with AtomStack?
Yes, as starting points. Many AtomStack machines run in LightBurn or LaserGRBL. Enter your real laser power and test on scrap.
Can I use these settings with Sculpfun?
Yes, as starting points. Sculpfun machines are commonly used with LightBurn or LaserGRBL. Check your model's power rating and test on scrap.
Why is my laser not cutting through?
Check focus, lens cleanliness, speed, power, passes and the real material thickness. Glue layers, warped sheets and a weak beam can also be causes.
Why is my engraving too dark?
There is too much energy at the surface. Raise speed, lower power, check focus or widen the line interval.
Why is my engraving too light?
There is too little energy. Slow down, raise power, make sure focus is exact or tighten the line interval.
How do I test settings?
Use the Test Grid tab to make a power and speed grid, run it on scrap of your exact material, then pick the best cell and verify it with a small cut.
What is kerf?
Kerf is the width of material removed by the laser beam. It affects how parts fit together, so measure it for each material and focus setup.
Does air assist matter?
Yes, in most cases. It helps clear smoke, reduces flare-ups and can improve edge quality when cutting. Too much airflow can affect fine engraving.
How do I save my machine profile?
Open the Saved tab, enter a profile name, then press Save Machine. Profiles stay in your browser only and need no account.
Explore DESIGNEROOH Laser Cutting Files
Ready for Your Next Laser Project?
Once you've tested your material and dialed in your settings, explore ready-to-use laser cutting and engraving designs from DESIGNEROOH.
DESIGNEROOH offers laser cut files, SVG and DXF laser files, 3D laser cut files and laser engraving files. Check each listing for formats, thickness and contents, and test on your own material first.
Build Your Next Laser Project
Choose a design, prepare your material, test your settings, and start creating.
Explore All Laser FilesFREE DESIGN FILE TOOL
Universal Laser & CNC File Helper
Check file dimensions, convert units and prepare a resized SVG or raster image before opening it in your laser or CNC software.
Browser-supported conversions stay on your device. When server conversion is enabled, selected files are uploaded to the configured conversion provider for processing.
01
Upload and analyze a file
SVG/raster processing + basic ASCII DXF geometry import · 81 machine profiles
Drop your design file here
Import: SVG, SVGZ, DXF, AI, EPS, PDF, PLT, HPGL, PNG, JPG, JPEG, WebP, BMP, TIF, TIFF, GIF (format processing varies)
Maximum file size: 10 MB. SVG, DXF and PNG/JPG/WebP work is processed in this browser. Other formats (SVGZ, AI, EPS, PDF, PLT, HPGL, BMP, TIF, TIFF, GIF) are sent to the DESIGNEROOH conversion service when selected.
Choose a file to begin.
FILE
02
File analysis
Reported dimensions are separated from assumptions.
Format—
Canvas / image—
UnitsUnknown
Dimension statusNot analyzed
Dimensions will appear after a supported file is analyzed. Canvas dimensions are not necessarily the drawing's actual geometric bounds.
PreviewVisual reference only
Your preview will appear here
03
Unit converter & resize
Enter the physical size you want the exported file to represent.
Only conversions available for the selected file are shown. SVG, basic DXF (from simple SVG shapes), PNG, JPG/JPEG and WebP are created in your browser; the other formats are produced by the conversion service. The tool will not create a fake file.
Used only for pixel-to-physical conversion.
For SVG, resizing changes physical width/height while preserving the viewBox coordinate system. Unlocking aspect ratio may stretch the design. SVG effects, strokes, text, clipping, patterns and filters can render differently across applications.
Size comparison
Original / detected—
Requested output—
Scale factor—
Shape changeNo change calculated
Choose an output format, then apply dimensions. DXF output supports basic SVG geometry only; other formats are produced by the conversion service.
03A
Standalone unit converter
Convert a measurement without uploading a file.
100 mm = 3.937008 in. Pixel conversion uses the DPI assumption set in the resize panel.
04
VCarve size-correction assistant
Use explicit target dimensions when the source file does not declare a reliable physical size.
Recommended import workflow
- Check the source file's dimensions before importing.
- In VCarve, confirm the job setup units and material size.
- Import the SVG/DXF, then measure a known edge with the measuring tool.
- If it is wrong, select the vectors and scale them using a known target width or height.
- Check the design stays inside the work area and save a new copy.
Why SVG size can be confusing
The viewBox describes drawing coordinates. The SVG width and height describe its displayed canvas size. A file with only a viewBox does not reliably tell us the intended real-world size.
Important: this tool cannot verify the result inside VCarve. Always measure the imported vectors before machining.
05
Machine & workflow finder
Search your own verified database or use general workflow guidance.
81 machine models included · Use the exact-model menu or search. Compatibility must be confirmed in manufacturer documentation.
Loading machine profiles…
Choose your software to see general next steps. File compatibility depends on software, controller, firmware and workflow—not only the machine brand.
06
Formats & workflow guide
Know what a file contains before sending it to a machine.
DXF
Common CAD exchange format. Unit conventions and supported entities vary. ASCII DXF import supports LINE, CIRCLE, ARC (approximated as line segments), LWPOLYLINE without bulge arcs, POLYLINE and POINT. Other entity types are reported as skipped.
May contain vector paths, raster images, or both. Page size is not necessarily the design bounds. PDF processing is handled by the conversion service.
PNG / JPG
Made of pixels. Useful for image engraving; pixel count and DPI determine an assumed physical size. Raster images are not cutting vectors.
PLT / HPGL
Plotter vector formats used by some cutters and engravers. Conversion is handled by the conversion service; verify units and line settings in your software.
A design file is not the same as ready-to-run machine instructions. CNC routing usually requires CAM toolpaths; laser work still requires checking material thickness, kerf, focus, power/speed, air assist, origin and work area.
07
Help center & troubleshooting
Search common problems and follow the next checks.
My file is too small in VCarve
Check the job units, then measure a known vector. If the source has no physical units, enter the intended width or height explicitly and scale in VCarve or use the SVG resize controls above.
My file is too large
Check whether inches were interpreted as millimeters or vice versa. 1 inch equals 25.4 mm. Confirm the selected job units before scaling.
Should I use millimeters or inches?
Use the units configured for your job and workflow. Avoid switching units mid-workflow without checking dimensions. 1 in = 25.4 mm; 1 cm = 10 mm; 1 m = 1000 mm.
My SVG opens with the wrong size
SVG viewBox coordinates are not automatically millimeters or inches. Check width/height and units, import dimensions in your design software, and measure a known edge before machining.
My DXF imports incorrectly
Check the exporting application's DXF version, units, scale, layers and entity support. This browser tool does not modify DXF files; re-export from CAD software or inspect in a trusted DXF editor.
My machine does not recognize the file
Identify the software/controller workflow first. Import a design into supported design/CAM software, then export or generate the machine-specific job format required by that workflow.
The preview differs from the downloaded file
Preview rendering may not match every application's treatment of fonts, strokes, filters, clipping or embedded resources. Open the downloaded output in your intended software and verify dimensions.
Which format should I use for laser cutting or engraving?
Use SVG or DXF for clean vector cutting paths and PNG/JPG for image engraving. PDF, AI and EPS can hold vectors but should be checked after import. Always confirm which formats your laser software accepts.
How do I select the correct file from my Mega Pack?
Start with the product's included format list. Choose SVG for supported vector workflows, DXF for compatible CAD/CAM software, and raster images for image engraving. Check the listing and your software's import requirements.
Final troubleshooting path
1. FileDoes it open and contain the expected geometry?
2. UnitsDo the dimensions match a known measurement?
3. SoftwareDoes your design/CAM app support the format and features?
4. ControllerAre you exporting the required machine job format?
5. Machine setupCheck origin, work area, material, tool/kerf and safe settings.