DXF and DWG file setup
Use real vector cut paths at 1:1 scale, with construction lines, dimensions and title blocks removed unless they are production notes.
Design guidelines
Laser Cutting Design Guidelines for Cut-Ready Files
Practical file setup guidance for buyers who want cleaner quotes, fewer drawing issues and better production outcomes from DXF, DWG and vector PDF files.
Best fitCAD-ready trade buyers who need to prepare sheet cutting files properly before instant pricing or reviewed quoting.
Typical workBrackets, plates, panels, signs, acrylic shapes, guards, templates and repeat production parts.
File setupDXF, DWG or vector PDF files with real cut paths at the correct scale.
Quote pathInstant pricing for clean cutting files, reviewed quoting where material, finish or interpretation matters.
What we cut
Practical work for real production needs.
Practical file setup guidance for buyers who want cleaner quotes, fewer drawing issues and better production outcomes from DXF, DWG and vector PDF files.
Start with the part, panel or material you need. Use fast online pricing when the file is cut-ready, or request review when the job needs production input before it can be accepted.
Vector PDF checks
A PDF should contain real vectors, not a screenshot, scan or flattened artwork pretending to be a cutting file.
Hole and slot preparation
Draw holes, slots and cut-outs accurately, and keep small details sensible for the material and thickness.
Material and thickness notes
Add material, thickness, face side and quantity clearly so quoting does not depend on guessing.
Repeat production files
Keep file names, revisions and material notes stable when the same part will be ordered again.
Review-ready briefs
When the job is not cut-ready, send photos, sketches, samples and use notes so the team can review the path forward.
Project gallery
Production examples for this type of work.
Relevant workshop, material and process photos showing the kind of cutting work we support.
Materials and production fit
Match material, file and quote path before production.
The fastest quote is a clean file with known material and thickness. The safest quote is a reviewed job when finish, fit or production risk matters.
Cut-ready geometry
The file should describe the part the machine must cut, not only how the part should look.
- Closed profiles
- No duplicate paths
- 1:1 metric scale
- Clear holes and slots
- No raster-only artwork
Material decisions
Material changes can alter edge quality, process choice, tolerance expectation and quote path.
- Metal sheet
- Acrylic and Perspex
- ACM and boards
- HDPE and plastics
- Foam and rubber
When to review
Review is safer when the file has ambiguity or the final use matters more than speed.
- Visible face
- Supplied material
- Finishing
- Critical fit
- Assembly or installation
Capabilities at a glance
Details buyers need before sending files.
Process
File preparation guidance for fiber laser, CO2 laser, CNC router and digital knife cutting workflows.
Accepted files
DXF, DWG or vector PDF files with real cut paths at the correct scale.
Best buyers
Engineers, fabricators, sign shops, designers, shopfitters, builders and procurement teams preparing quote-ready files.
Instant pricing
Best when the drawing has clean vector paths, correct scale, material, thickness and quantity.
Reviewed quote
Best when the file is a scan, photo, screenshot, unclear artwork, supplied material or a job with finish or fit risk.
Production base
Sydney production support from Botany NSW, with pickup or delivery for suitable Australian jobs.
Instant pricing
Have cut-ready CAD?
Use instant pricing when the file is a clean cutting-only DXF, DWG or vector PDF with material, thickness and quantity already known.
- DXF, DWG or vector PDF only
- Real vector cut paths at correct scale
- Material, thickness and quantity selected
Reviewed quote
Need production advice?
Use reviewed quoting when the source file is unclear, visual-only, supplied material, finish-critical or requires production judgement.
- Sketches, samples, photos or unclear drawings
- Supplied materials, finishing, assembly or special handling
- Critical tolerance, visual finish or installation risk
Cutting technologies
Processes connected to this page.
The best process is selected around material, thickness, finish, geometry and whether the file is ready for instant pricing.
Technical guidance
What matters before production starts.
Start with real scale
Australian production should be treated as metric. Files should be drawn at real-world size, with units and scale confirmed before quoting.
Separate cut lines from notes
Cut paths should be easy to identify. Notes for engraving, face side, material, thickness or quantity should not create accidental cut geometry.
Avoid false-ready files
A JPG, PNG, scan or screenshot inside a PDF still needs review or redrawing. It should not be treated as a production vector file.
Design around the material
Small holes, thin bridges, sharp internal corners, fragile shapes and visible faces should be checked against the material and final use.
Related services and materials
Useful next pages for this quote.
Use these pages to compare the relevant process, material, location or application details.
Common questions
Answers before production starts.
What is the best file format for laser cutting?
DXF and DWG are preferred for most production cutting. Vector PDF can work when it contains real cut paths at the correct scale.
Can I upload a screenshot or photo?
A screenshot or photo can be reviewed, but it is not a cut-ready file for instant pricing.
Should files be in millimetres?
Yes. Treat production files as metric and confirm real-world dimensions before quoting.
What causes quote delays?
Missing material, wrong scale, duplicate paths, raster artwork, unclear quantities and unsupported secondary operations are common causes.
Quote-ready files
Send laser cutting design guidelines australia through the right quote path.
Use instant pricing for clean cutting files, or send complex jobs through reviewed quoting when production decisions matter.