https://github.com/sameer/svg2gcode
Convert vector graphics to g-code for pen plotters, laser engravers, and other CNC machines
https://github.com/sameer/svg2gcode
3d-printer 3d-printing cnc engraver g-code gcode grbl inkscape laser-cutting pen-plotter plotter printer prusa-mini rust svg svg2gcode webassembly
Last synced: 11 days ago
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Convert vector graphics to g-code for pen plotters, laser engravers, and other CNC machines
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/sameer/svg2gcode
- Owner: sameer
- License: mit
- Created: 2019-04-24T04:38:12.000Z (almost 7 years ago)
- Default Branch: main
- Last Pushed: 2026-02-22T21:09:56.000Z (20 days ago)
- Last Synced: 2026-02-23T00:54:50.469Z (20 days ago)
- Topics: 3d-printer, 3d-printing, cnc, engraver, g-code, gcode, grbl, inkscape, laser-cutting, pen-plotter, plotter, printer, prusa-mini, rust, svg, svg2gcode, webassembly
- Language: G-code
- Homepage: https://sameer.github.io/svg2gcode
- Size: 16 MB
- Stars: 386
- Watchers: 6
- Forks: 72
- Open Issues: 20
-
Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
- Funding: .github/FUNDING.yml
- License: LICENSE
Awesome Lists containing this project
README
# svg2gcode
[](https://github.com/sameer/svg2gcode/actions/workflows/lib.yml)
[](https://github.com/sameer/svg2gcode/actions/workflows/cli.yml)
[](https://github.com/sameer/svg2gcode/actions/workflows/web.yml)
[](https://github.com/sameer/svg2gcode/actions/workflows/web-deploy.yml)
[](https://codecov.io/gh/sameer/svg2gcode)
Convert vector graphics to g-code for pen plotters, laser engravers, and other CNC machines
## Usage
### Web interface
Check it out at https://sameer.github.io/svg2gcode. Just select an SVG and click generate!
### Command line interface (CLI)
#### Install
```sh
cargo install svg2gcode-cli
```
#### Usage
```
Arguments:
[FILE]
A file path to an SVG, else reads from stdin
Options:
--tolerance
Curve interpolation tolerance (mm)
--feedrate
Machine feed rate (mm/min)
--dpi
Dots per Inch (DPI) Used for scaling visual units (pixels, points, picas, etc.)
--on
G-Code for turning on the tool
--off
G-Code for turning off the tool
--begin
G-Code for initializing the machine at the beginning of the program
--end
G-Code for stopping/idling the machine at the end of the program
-o, --out
Output file path (overwrites old files), else writes to stdout
--settings
Provide settings from a JSON file. Overrides command-line arguments
--export
Export current settings to a JSON file instead of converting.
Use `-` to export to standard out.
--origin
Coordinates for the bottom left corner of the machine
--dimensions
Override the width and height of the SVG (i.e. 210mm,297mm)
Useful when the SVG does not specify these (see https://github.com/sameer/svg2gcode/pull/16)
Passing "210mm," or ",297mm" calculates the missing dimension to conform to the viewBox aspect ratio.
--circular-interpolation
Whether to use circular arcs when generating g-code
Please check if your machine supports G2/G3 commands before enabling this.
[possible values: true, false]
--line-numbers
Include line numbers at the beginning of each line
Useful for debugging/streaming g-code
[possible values: true, false]
--checksums
Include checksums at the end of each line
Useful for streaming g-code
[possible values: true, false]
--newline-before-comment
Add a newline character before each comment
Workaround for parsers that don't accept comments on the same line
[possible values: true, false]
-h, --help
Print help (see a summary with '-h')
-V, --version
Print version
```
#### Example
```sh
svg2gcode-cli examples/Vanderbilt_Commodores_logo.svg --off 'M4' --on 'M5' -o out.gcode
```
To convert curves to G02/G03 Gcode commands, use flag `--circular-interpolation true`.
#### Output, rendered at [https://ncviewer.com](https://ncviewer.com)
```sh
cat out.gcode
```
### Library
The core functionality of this tool is available as the [svg2gcode crate](https://crates.io/crates/svg2gcode).
## Blog Posts
These go into greater detail on the tool's origins, implementation details, and planned features.
- https://purisa.me/blog/pen-plotter/
- https://purisa.me/blog/svg2gcode-progress/
## FAQ / Interesting details
- Use a 3D printer for plotting: (thanks [@jeevank](https://github.com/jeevank) for sharing this) https://medium.com/@urish/how-to-turn-your-3d-printer-into-a-plotter-in-one-hour-d6fe14559f1a
- Convert a PDF to GCode: follow [this guide using Inkscape to convert a PDF to an SVG](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Graphics_Lab/Resources/PDF_conversion_to_SVG#Conversion_with_Inkscape), then use it with svg2gcode
- Are shapes, fill patterns supported? No, but you can convert them to paths in Inkscape with `Object to Path`. See [#15](https://github.com/sameer/svg2gcode/issues/15) for more discussion.
- Are stroke patterns supported? No, but you can convert them into paths in Inkscape with `Stroke to Path`.
## Reference Documents
- [W3 SVG2 Specification](https://www.w3.org/TR/SVG/Overview.html)
- [CSS absolute lengths](https://www.w3.org/TR/css-values/#absolute-lengths)
- [CSS font-relative lengths](https://www.w3.org/TR/css-values/#font-relative-lengths)
- [CSS compatible units](https://www.w3.org/TR/css-values/#compat)
- [RepRap G-code](https://reprap.org/wiki/G-code)
- [G-Code and M-Code Reference List for Milling](https://www.cnccookbook.com/g-code-m-code-reference-list-cnc-mills/)