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Laser cut file (DXF)

Make a DXF file for a laser cutter or CNC router: the flat outline of each part, full size in millimetres, laid out on real sheet sizes.

  • Laser cut file (DXF)Export menu

The laser cut file turns your parts into a DXF file: the 2D drawing file that laser cutters and CNC routers use. Each part becomes a flat outline, with its holes, full size (1:1) in millimetres. The lines to cut are red.

SchoolCAD also nests the outlines: it lays them out on a sheet of the size you choose, over as many sheets as it needs. Laser cutting suits flat parts cut from a sheet, such as a laser-cut box, a phone stand or a sign in acrylic, MDF or plywood.

How to use it#

  1. Choose what to cut:
    • Nothing selected: every visible part.
    • Only some parts: click them in the Parts list (Shift-click for more).
    • One face only: click a flat face on the model.
  2. Click Export, then Laser cut file (DXF).
  3. Choose the Sheet, the Gap and whether to Turn parts to fit. The preview shows every sheet.
  4. Read the line under the options: how many outlines, how many sheets, and any warnings.
  5. Click Download DXF, and open the file in your laser cutter's software.

Options#

OptionWhat it does
SheetThe size of your sheet or laser bed: 600 × 400 mm, 900 × 600 mm, 1200 × 600 mm, 1200 × 900 mm, A4, A3 or Custom size.
Size (mm)For Custom size: the width and height of your sheet.
GapThe space between the parts, and from the edge of the sheet, in mm.
Turn parts to fitLets SchoolCAD turn parts a quarter turn (90°), so more fit on a sheet.

What is in the file#

  • The CUT layer (red): the outlines and holes to cut.
  • The SHEET-DO-NOT-CUT layer (grey): the edge of each sheet, so you can see where it is. The sheets sit side by side.
  • The BEND-UP-DO-NOT-CUT (blue) and BEND-DOWN-DO-NOT-CUT (purple) layers: for a part folded with Bend or made with Sheet metal, the bend lines on its flat shape, each labelled with its angle and direction. They are not cut: they show where to heat or fold.
  • The NOTES-DO-NOT-CUT layer (grey): the bend table of each sheet metal part, beside the sheets.

Tips#

  • Each part is laid out as the outline of its biggest flat face. Check the preview: every red line will be cut right through.
  • Parts of different thicknesses must be cut from different sheets, and SchoolCAD warns you about them. Select the parts of one thickness in the Parts list and export them on their own.
  • For a laser-cut box, make the corners with finger joints from the Joint tool. Set its Clearance to 0.1–0.2 mm so the joints still fit after the laser burns away its thin cut (the kerf).
  • For a CNC router, add Dogbone reliefs so square tabs fit into routed slots.

If it does not work#

  • There is nothing flat to cut yet. There are no visible parts, or they have no flat faces.
  • Too big for this sheet: followed by part names. Choose a bigger Sheet, or tick Turn parts to fit.
  • Only one shape came out. You had a face selected. Press Esc to clear the selection, then export again.
  • The laser cuts the grey sheet edges too. Delete them (the SHEET-DO-NOT-CUT layer) in your laser software.