Converting a Simple Image to a Line

Want to cut a simple image on the laser cutter but don't want to wait forever? Here's a way to turn simple images into lines.

In lightburn, lines cut much faster than images. We can use inkscape to convert SOME images so that lightburn will read it as a line. Here's some examples of what images may and may not work:

Images that can be converted: (They can be black and white or in color, usually something with clear lines or lineart)

floral-hand-drawn-frame-border-decorative-design-element-free-vector.webphow-to-draw-plants-like-ellsworth-kellyhow-to-draw-plants-like-ellsworth-kelly-01.jpgdownload-1.png208-2088762_university-of-minnesota-university-of-minnesota-health-logo.png

Images that can NOT be easily converted:

IMG-3813.jpg B1735F45-A4A2-4C39-B1DD-988E0EE9C964-1024x1024.png cat.jpeg

INSTRUCTIONS:

In Inkscape:

1. Open inkscape Inkscape_Logo.svg.png

2. Import jpeg/png image

3. Right click on image, click on trace bitmap

4. Adjust settings as desired in trace bitmap window (you can also preview it there)

5. Close trace bitmap window, there should be a "duplicated" image on top of your original image

6. Repeat trace bitmap if it didn't turn out right, otherwise delete the original image

7. Save the file as an inskscape file

In lightburn:

8. Import (not open) your inskcape file in lightburn

9. The file should import as a line