File Import Guide – Inventables

In Easel, SVG (2D/vector graphics), DXF (3D), STL (3D), and Gcode (.nc) files can be directly imported. Easel supports only certain SVG files that can be imported. Here are some common hiccups that you might encounter and some suggestions on how to fix them.

Due to variations in fonts, Easel does not currently support importing SVG text elements. However, you can still import your custom text with a custom font, you just need to follow these steps:

Adobe Illustrator Select all objects and select Object -> Expand
- Make sure it is not "Responsive" or the true size won't be imported.
Inkscape Select all objects and use the keyboard command Ctrl+Shift+C
Corel Draw In the SVG Export dialog, in the section called "Export Text" make sure "As Curves" is the selected option (not "As Text"). Thanks to forum user ChetKloss for this tip.
Other programs You need to convert your text into paths, which means making it un-editable as text. If there is an equivalent to 'Create Outlines' or 'Expand', that is what you are looking for.

Embedded images

Although SVG is a vector format, it actually allows embedding images that are not vectors. Easel cannot process these images, and they'll have to be removed.

Converted DXF files

If you are converting a DXF file from a CAD program to an SVG, there can often be some issues with paths not being joined together properly. If your file is importing as a series of disjoint paths, rather than a single object, this might be the cause. In order to solve this problem, you'll have to join the individual line segments. This is usually done by selecting all the objects and running a "Join" or "Weld" command (depending on the editor).

Complex files

If you are using an SVG traced from an image, try to simplify the file as much as possible before importing it. Traced images often contain many unneeded paths that can choke up Easel, including white filled background paths and extremely small noise paths that aren't desired. It is much easier to simplify this SVG in your vector editor before bringing it into Easel.

STL

Easel supports 3D STL imports that are under 100MB in size. This feature works best with relief-type/3D carvings. Check out our 3D Easel FAQ and 3D Carving Instructions for more info.