Importing Pathhaus SVG Files into LightBurn
LightBurn is the most popular laser software and works seamlessly with Pathhaus exports. This guide walks through the import process, layer setup, and best practices for getting the cleanest results.
Importing your Pathhaus file
In LightBurn, go to File → Import and select your SVG or DXF file. For SVG: LightBurn reads the stroke and fill properties from Pathhaus's export and assigns paths to layers by color. All Pathhaus paths are black, so they'll land on a single layer. For DXF: dimensions import in exact millimeters with no scaling ambiguity. After import, check the dimensions in the lower-right panel — they should match what you designed in Pathhaus Studio.
Setting the correct layer mode
After import, click on your layer in the Cuts/Layers panel and check the mode. For single-line font engraving, set the mode to "Line" — this tells LightBurn to trace your paths as vector lines at full speed, not rasterize them. "Fill" mode would treat your paths as outlines to fill, which is wrong for open-path single-line fonts. "Line" mode is the correct setting and produces the fastest, cleanest output.
Speed and power settings
Start with conservative settings and work up. For wood (3mm birch, walnut) at 1-inch cap height: Line mode, 3000mm/min, 25–35% power. For acrylic (3mm clear) at the same size: 2000mm/min, 20% power. For anodized aluminum: 1500mm/min, 80–90% power. These are starting points — your specific material, laser power, and focus quality will require adjustment. Always test on a scrap piece.
Enabling LightBurn path optimization
LightBurn has its own path optimization that works alongside Pathhaus's pre-optimization. In Cut Settings, enable "Optimize Cut Path" and set the optimization to "Order by Layer, then optimize". This runs LightBurn's travel optimization on top of the node reduction Pathhaus already applied. The combination gives you both optimizations — Pathhaus handles curve simplification, LightBurn handles final travel ordering within the job.
Try it in Pathhaus Studio
Free to start — optimize and export your first font file in under 5 minutes.