LightBurn workflow
Nesting for LightBurn: build a tighter layout, then cut.
LightBurn is where the job runs. Cutlattice is where the parts find their places. Use the nester to pack a sheet, then bring clean SVG or DXF geometry into LightBurn for layers, power, speed, and cut order.
A practical workflow
- Finish the design in your vector tool and convert text and strokes to closed paths.
- Open Cutlattice, drop the SVG, and set the sheet, kerf, spacing, and rotation.
- Nest, compare utilization, and adjust the constraints if the layout is too tight.
- Export SVG or DXF and import it into LightBurn.
- Check the scale, assign layers, preview the job, and send it to the laser.
Settings to carry over
- Kerf: measured for the material and lens, entered once in Cutlattice.
- Spacing: enough clearance for a clean cut and heat management.
- Rotation: disable it when grain or a finished surface matters.
- Units: verify millimetres on both sides of the export/import step.
LightBurn has its own kerf offset and layout features. Use them where they help, but keep the nesting spacing and the toolpath compensation conceptually separate to avoid double-counting.
What the export contains
The SVG contains cut contours with the even-odd rule so holes remain open. The DXF contains closed polylines on a single layer in millimetres. Neither file contains power, speed, or machine-specific G-code — those settings stay in LightBurn.
Where Cutlattice stops
Cutlattice is not a LightBurn replacement and does not control the laser. It is a focused layout step for the part of the job that benefits from automatic true-shape packing.
FAQ
Does Cutlattice export a LightBurn file?
No. Cutlattice exports SVG and DXF. Both import into LightBurn. The layout geometry and millimetre scale are preserved, so you can assign layers and cut settings after import.
Where do I set kerf in this workflow?
Set the kerf and spacing in Cutlattice before nesting. Those values determine the distance between parts in the exported layout. LightBurn's kerf offset is a separate toolpath setting; do not double-count the same kerf in both places.
Why does the imported size look wrong?
Check the unit setting on import and compare a known dimension against the sheet. Cutlattice exports millimetres. If a file was designed at an unusual scale, adjust the import scale in Cutlattice before exporting.
Can I use this for Glowforge or xTool instead?
Yes. Export SVG or DXF and import it into the machine software you use. The same geometry-first workflow applies.
Related
Nest your next job in 30 seconds.
Free guest export. No upload. No install. Your drawings stay on your device.
Open the free tool