Check a DXF file before laser cutting
Open the DXF in DXF Viewer, then choose Tools → Check DXF. It lists duplicate lines, overlapping segments, zero-length objects and open contours, each with a link to its place on the drawing, and offers a cleaned copy. Shop mode then adds the cut length, the number of pierces and a cost estimate for the batch.
Published October 28, 2026
How to check a DXF before cutting
- Open the part in DXF Viewer and confirm the units and the overall size in the status bar.
- Hide the layers that are not cut: dimensions, title block, notes.
- Choose Tools → Check DXF. Click an issue to zoom to it.
- If duplicates or overlaps were found, click Download fixed DXF and send that copy to the machine.
- Close open contours in your CAD program, then open the part again and run the check once more.
- Choose Tools → Shop mode for cut length, pierces and the price of the batch.
What the check finds
| issue | what goes wrong on the machine | what the viewer does |
|---|---|---|
| duplicate: the same geometry drawn twice | the head cuts the same path twice, burning the edge and wasting time | removes it in the fixed copy |
| overlap: one segment lies on another | a partial double cut | removes a line fully covered by another |
| zero-length line or zero-radius arc | an extra pierce and errors in nesting software | removes it in the fixed copy |
| open contour: the ends do not meet | the part does not drop out of the sheet | lists it with the gap size; closing it is left to your CAD program |
The check reads model space on visible layers. Your original file stays as it was, because the fixed DXF downloads as a separate copy. A clean file gets a plain message: no duplicates, zero-length objects, overlaps or open contours found. A list longer than 500 issues is cut on screen, and Issues CSV holds all of them.
Shop mode: cut length, pierces and cost
Shop mode adds up the cut geometry on visible layers: lines, arcs, circles, polylines, splines and ellipses. Text, dimensions and hatches are left out, and hiding a layer removes it from the count. You see the cut length, closed and open contours, pierces (one per contour) and the part's bounding box.
Enter a price per meter or per foot of cut, a price per pierce, a setup fee and the quantity, and it shows the cost of one part and of the whole batch in your currency. Report PDF or Report CSV can go straight into a quote. Treat the figure as a guide for pricing, because the real program for your machine still comes from your CAM software.
A job with many parts
Drop all files of the order, DXF, DWG or a ZIP archive, into Tools → Batch convert and tick the CSV report. You get one table with the size, cut length, pierces and blocks of every file, which is the fastest way to price an order of dozens of parts.
Before you send the file
- Units. The cutting software reads the units stated in the file. A part 25.4 times off in size has the wrong units.
- One part per file, unless the shop asks for a nested sheet.
- Text. Engraved text must be converted to outlines in your CAD program. Single-line fonts are read as text, not as cut paths.
- Test cut. Cut new geometry on scrap first.
Key facts
| fact | value | source |
|---|---|---|
| Issues found | duplicates, overlaps, zero-length objects, open contours with gap size | DXF Viewer interface, checked 28 Oct 2026 |
| Fix applied automatically | duplicates, zero-length objects, fully covered lines | DXF Viewer interface, checked 28 Oct 2026 |
| Not fixed automatically | open contours: listed, never changed | DXF Viewer interface, checked 28 Oct 2026 |
| Pierces | one per contour, closed or open | DXF Viewer interface, checked 28 Oct 2026 |
| Excluded from cut length | text, dimensions, hatches, hidden layers | DXF Viewer interface, checked 28 Oct 2026 |
| Closed curves required | cutting guides ask for closed profiles and correct units | University of Genoa laser guide |
Frequently asked questions
Does the check close open contours?
No. It shows each open contour and the size of the gap. Only your CAD program can close it reliably, because only you know which ends belong together.
Is a customer's file uploaded anywhere?
No. The check, the fixed copy and the shop mode report are all calculated in your browser.
Can I check a DWG file?
Yes. Open the DWG the same way; it is converted to DXF on your device and every tool works on it.
Is the cost estimate a machine program?
No. It is a quick guide for quoting, based on cut length and pierces. The machine program comes from your CAM software.
Why does my part cut at the wrong size?
The units in the DXF are wrong, most often millimeters read as inches. Check the units in the status bar and re-export the file with the right ones.