>> File Types

When creating graphics for the Glowforge to print, there are some important things to consider about how the machine interprets your file.
In order to know where to cut, the laser cutter driver reads all of the vector paths in the designed piece. 

There are 2 different types of files that you can use in the Glowforge app.

The first of which is a vector graphics file, like an .svg. The other type is a raster graphics file, like a .jpg or a .png.

One of the main differences between raster and vector files is their resolution. The resolution of a raster file is referred to in DPI (dots per inch) or PPI (pixels per inch). If you zoom in or expand the size of a raster image, you start to see the individual pixels. 

With vector image files, resolution is not an issue. You can resize, rescale, and  reshape vectors infinitely without losing any image quality. Vector files are popular for images that need to appear in a wide variety of sizes, like a logo that needs to fit on both a business card and a billboard.

 

With a Vector file ( .svg), the laser follows the path that is stored inside the file. The vector file type is best used for logos and simple shapes, and is the most precise version of cutting and scoring possible.

With a Raster file (.jpg/.png), the laser creates fine dots at a selected DPI (dots per inch) so that the laser doesn't really cut all the way through. The DPI directly correlates to the image resolution and affects how fine an image appears, exactly like image resolution on a computer. Raster files are best used for engraving images.

raster (.jpg)     //    vector (.svg)

In the .SVG , you can see that the edges are more clear cut than the .JPG

.jpg               //               .svg