Prepare a JPG for laser cutting and engraving

Updated on 5 October 2026

To go from a JPG to a laser file, trace the image in Homotope, export DXF or SVG (Single stroke preset to engrave a line in one pass) and check it against your beam diameter.

Felt-pen lamp sketch scanned as a JPEG: wobbly lines on grainy grey paper. — 700 × 700 px JPEG scan and the engine SVG, « Trait unique » (single stroke) preset, « Angle des coins » (corner angle) set to 80°, untouched: the paper is gone, each line becomes a single pass at the measured width (hence a render close to the original); in the DXF these strokes are open polylines with no width.

The same sketch as a centreline trace: a single stroke per pass. — 700 × 700 px JPEG scan and the engine SVG, « Trait unique » (single stroke) preset, « Angle des coins » (corner angle) set to 80°, untouched: the paper is gone, each line becomes a single pass at the measured width (hence a render close to the original); in the DXF these strokes are open polylines with no width.

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Cut a shape or engrave a line

The workshop interface is in French; the button names are quoted below in French with their meaning.

Shape cutting (Logo preset): closed contours, one layer per colour. The laser follows the edge of each flat shape.
Line engraving (« Trait unique », single stroke preset): Homotope traces the axis of each ink stroke as a single-pass path instead of its two edges. In the DXF, each pass is an open polyline; the width is the tool’s.

The centreline trace also lets you set the minimum width, the length of spurs to remove and the smoothing tolerance.

Homotope traces in your browser: the engine runs on your own machine, in a Web Worker, and your image is sent nowhere unless you save it to your account or ask for a server computation. The workshop opens without an account and without a usage limit: tracing, preview, SVG and PNG exports are free. Fabrication exports (DXF, EPS, PDF, separations): 2 free per month with an account, unlimited with Pro; the conversion stays in your browser.

Steps

Open the workshop and drop the JPG or PNG.
Pick Logo (cutting) or « Trait unique » (line engraving).
In Export, choose DXF (or SVG); leave « Inclure le fond (cadre) » (include background) unticked.
Open « Prêt pour la découpe ? » and set the tool diameter to your beam.
Download, import into your machine software, scale.

Before sending the file to the machine, the « Prêt pour la découpe ? » (“ready to cut?”) section of the Export panel analyses the DXF you would download: open contours, overlaps, self-intersections and double cuts (blocking), details finer than your tool diameter, tiny islands and overloaded contours (to check). Clicking a problem highlights it on the preview. « Simplifier pour la découpe » (“simplify for cutting”) writes a separate DXF and leaves your result untouched.

Frequently asked questions

How do I convert a JPG to DXF for a laser?

Drop the JPG into the Homotope workshop, pick DXF in Export and download: R12 DXF in millimetres, one layer per colour.

What is a centreline (centerline) trace?

A trace that follows the axis of a stroke instead of its two edges, so the laser or plotter passes once. In Homotope it is the Single stroke preset.

Can I do a centreline trace online for free?

Yes, in your browser and with no account, with the Single stroke preset of the Homotope workshop: tracing and preview are free. Exporting the single stroke is a fabrication export: 2 free per month with an account, unlimited with Pro.

Which tool diameter should I enter?

The width of your beam or blade; 0.2 mm by default. Finer details are flagged as “to check”.

More guides

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