SVG vs DXF vs PDF for Laser Cutting: Which Format?

SVG is XML, web-native, supported by every modern laser app (LightBurn, xTool, Glowforge, LaserGRBL). It handles layers, named groups, and stroke colors cleanly. Lazrit exports SVG by default because it's the format that works everywhere with the fewest surprises.

DXF comes from AutoCAD and is still the format CNC and many industrial tools expect. It handles layers and named entities well but doesn't carry style information like stroke colors. Conversion from SVG is usually clean as long as you're working with simple paths. Lazrit doesn't currently export DXF.

PDF is print-first; vector data is incidental. LightBurn imports it via a flatten step that often loses layers and sometimes scrambles paths. Useful when SVG isn't an option and you can flatten in your design app first.

LightBurn's native project format. Carries layers, cut settings, and ordering. Lazrit exports .lbrn2 directly — see the LightBurn integration page for details.

If a customer asks 'what file format should I send you?', say SVG. Second choice: a high-res raster (PNG/JPG) that you can vectorize with Lazrit. Last resort: PDF, which you'll need to manually clean up.