Upload your DXF or SVG file, choose cutting or engraving, and step2gcode generates ready-to-run laser G-code, with material presets for power and speed and kerf compensation for dimensionally accurate parts.
Photos and logos as PNG, JPG or WebP are engraved line by line (raster engraving): as a photo with dithering, as a logo in black and white, or in grayscale with power per dot. The preview shows what the laser will burn before you download.
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As with slicing in 3D printing, the detour through a separate CAM or laser package disappears: upload the file, pick mode and material, download the G-code. The contour selection decides whether everything, only outer or only inner contours are cut.
Yes. PNG, JPG, WebP, BMP, GIF and TIFF are uploaded like a DXF file and engraved line by line. There are three methods: photo (dithering, dots in two power levels – works on almost every material), logo/text (black and white along a threshold) and grayscale (power per dot). Size in millimetres, line interval, brightness, contrast and gamma are adjustable; the preview shows what the laser will burn before you download. Phone photos are turned upright automatically, transparent areas stay blank.
Yes, vectorisation: the laser then follows lines instead of scanning every row – often 5 to 20 times faster. There are three methods: outline (the edges of dark areas, for logos and silhouettes), centerline (one line through each stroke, for drawings and handwriting) and photo edges (turns a photo into a line drawing). Areas stay empty; a minimum size filters out crumbs, and the preview shows the number of lines and the running time.
For GRBL (M4, dynamic power, $32=1) and Marlin (M3 I, inline power, needs LASER_FEATURE in the firmware). The file header states what the machine must be set to in each case, including the S-value maximum ($30 or CUTTER_POWER_UNIT).
Yes. SVG graphics (e.g. from Inkscape or Illustrator) are processed as vector contours just like DXF and can be cut or engraved directly, without a detour through a CAD program. A logo from Inkscape becomes a finished laser job in minutes: upload the SVG, choose engraving, set a material preset, download the G-code.
The laser beam removes a small cutting width, typically 0.1 to 0.2 mm. Without compensation, outer parts come out too small and holes too large. step2gcode offsets the path automatically by half the kerf so the dimensions are correct.
Yes, the contour selection has three levels: cut everything, only the outermost contours (e.g. an enclosing rectangle) or only the inner ones (e.g. lettering inside a frame). Nesting levels are detected automatically.
Yes. Multiple DXF and SVG parts with quantities are arranged space-efficiently on the sheet (with rotation and adjustable spacing) and cut in a single job.