The Absolute Beginner's Guide to Using Inkscape for CNC

If you're brand new to Inkscape and the CNC plasma industry, this one is for you! This is not intended to be an all-encompassing tutorial; instead, just a brief welcome to Inkscape and a general overview of the layout.
My Go-To Inkscape Shortcuts:
Undo: Ctrl + Z
Convert Object to Path: Shift + Ctrl+ C
Convert Stroke to Path: Ctrl + Alt + C
Union: Shift + Ctrl + +
Break Apart: Ctrl + Shift + K
Combine: Ctrl + K
Difference: Ctrl + -
Group: Ctrl + G
Ungroup: Shift + Crtl + G
Zoom In: +
Zoom Out: -
Raise Selection One Step: Page Up
Lower Selection One Step: Page Down
If this old dog taught you a new trick, show me some love, and remember to subscribe. Buy clean, cut-ready DXF and SVG files at BadDogMetalworks.com (Type FREEBIE into the search bar on our website to access FREE SVG and DXF files!)
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Looking for more help? Check out the rest of my Inkscape Tutorials here: • Inkscape Tutorials
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[@itsnotlevel2]

Dude, i have been trying to use inkscape forever. This was a perfect starter to inkscape. Thanks!

[@kmw077]

Every time I think I got it, you come out with another video and blow my mind !! Thank you !!

[@MAL.STUDIOS]

I am so happy I stumbled on your page. Thank you so much. You keep it simple and make sense!

[@DebHeadworth]

Thank you! Your concise style is really easy to learn from!

[@Rollie396]

Lots of good info here. Great tip on reducing nodes. Thank you!

[@randomcampbell3440]

Thank you for making these videos. Extreme newbie to cnc and was very lost before I found your vids. I'm still lost but now it feels like there is hope. Keep up the great work and thanks again. Looking forward to going thru your other videos.

[@BadDogMetalworks]

Glad you like them!

[@matthewrice8994]

Steve... you never cease to amaze. 🤘

[@stevelaw745]

Glad to see you post another video, Always easy to follow. Looking forward to follow up videos.

[@BadDogMetalworks]

Thanks, I'll definitely be adding more.

[@RayraMelissa]

Thank you for this video! I just got myself a cnc and was trying to use this program to convert images to gcode and fixing the nodes was a bit challenging but I learnt a lot from your video! Would love to see more tutorials for beginners like me! The gcode tool is a bit difficult to wrap my head around it right now, it keeps duplicating paths haha.

[@Verticalpedalgarage]

Awesome as always brother. Your videos have been monumental for me to better be able to use Inkscape. I appreciate you!

[@BadDogMetalworks]

Thank you. Glad to be of help.

[@firearmshistorian]

Brilliant video. Thank you!

[@bigrednick100]

Yes!!!! Thank you!!!! Oh I’ve bought several of your files, always super clean.

[@BadDogMetalworks]

Thanks, glad to hear you like the files.

[@MrMountaincycle]

great information sir! thanks for sharing.

[@johnagorman]

lots of good tips. thanks

[@cesarparedes9834]

Really appreciate your content.

[@user-nd7rg5er5g]

This is an excellent and useful tutorial, bless you for making it!

[@LRCR]

Thanks for the Help and Quick Look at this Very Impressive Program, I've been using Inkscape for creating Titlescreen's on my video's and now have a 3D printer ... after looking for and trying a few CAD programs just realized I have one already installed that actually lets me use inches and mm in the design LOL 🤪😆 Yepper's I Subbed and will follow these Tuties you've created 💯 ✌🤠👍 HFLPRCing =Having Fun Laughing Playing and RCing 👍😎👍 AOAH =Association of Addicted Hobbiest 🙏 SSPH =Stay Safe and Play Healthy My Friend 🌟 Blessings From The Great Smoky Mountains, East Tennessee

[@bernym4047]

Thanks for an informative video. I'm an experienced user but learned a few tips. :)

[@Iann128]

Nice to see a new video! Hope you are doing well. Been a little cold out in the shop so have not had much CNC time but been watching and practicing so I can start cutting again soon.

[@BadDogMetalworks]

Been doing pretty good. Finally getting a little spare time now that the holiday is past, so I'll probably get some more videos knocked out soon. It got pretty brutal cold here for about a week too. Knocked our internet service out for 5 days so that sucked. Back up and connected now though.

[@Iann128]

@@BadDogMetalworks Glad to hear you're doing well. It was pretty cold down here in AR last week, we got into the single digits!! Was 60+ today and was able to work out in the shop to help a buddy with his truck.

[@dgonsoulin]

I've been looking for someone to explain how to use svg files for cutting! This will definitely get me started. I didn't quite get the "snapping" but I'll work on it. Thanks

[@davidlemay6402]

Thank you for your videos they have helped me.

[@BadDogMetalworks]

Glad to help

[@truethinker68]

Thanks for this video. There's so many videos with info that goes down so many rabbit holes. This simplified the process for a beginner like myself.

[@BadDogMetalworks]

Glad to hear it.

[@Nishandh_Mayiladan]

Thankyou, thankyou ❤

[@Woody59er]

Good Day, thanks so much for this video, I'm having issues getting my project to be one path (font/box) keep getting an error saying select at least 2 paths to perform this boolean operation? Look forward to any help, thanks.

[@dalegaus276]

Well I just learned 2 new things I didn’t know about, and I am 4 years into this. Learn every time! If it wasn’t for all your videos I wouldn’t have learned what I have! I use Inkscape for everything. I haven’t even used the torchmate software for any designing yet. It’s easier for me using Inkscape then just cut it using torchmate cut software. Thanks!

[@BadDogMetalworks]

Good to hear!

[@cbbcbb6803]

Thank you for using light mode. Dark mode does not work well on small screens for videos. Dark mode may be ok on 15" and larger screens, but not for me even on larger acreens. This was a very good tutorial for me. Again, thanks for using light mode.

[@user-wh7yt3xu3t]

What about engraving, such as on copper or aluminum? Since I would not be cutting, just engraving, would I still need to create bridges?

[@ziggyas1]

Thanks

[@cadaveramatore]

Does anyone know if you can make cuts of different types, that is, overline, inline or outline with inkscape?

[@candidickerson8894]

HI! I noticed on your desktop Torchmate Cad- what file type is best for me to save Inkscape files for opening in my torchmate CAD software?

[@netltube]

Great vid, thanks. How is inkscape for cutting machine parts where you need exact distance measurements, radius for holes, centerlines, things like that?

[@BadDogMetalworks]

I’ve never had any issues with accuracy of a drawing for parts. Some parts are a little tricky to draw but the accuracy is perfect once you get it.

[@jocargua]

Thank YOu!!!!

[@omsingharjit]

I am little confused.... Doesn't Inkscape really make file for cnc sheet cutting with 2d design with depth? Without any cam, toolpath what ever software? On router based cnc not laser?

[@BadDogMetalworks]

I personally only use Inkscape for cnc plasma and cnc laser. There is no depth to the designs you create in Inkscape though. They are only paths on an x and y plane. When you take those designs you’ve created as an svg or dxf file into your cam software you can then apply a tool operation that coordinates with the material thickness you’re working with. Even then there is no depth to the design, you’re simply just setting an amperage, torch height, and speed that will effectively cut the thickness of material you’re working with. Not sure if that answers your question? Hopefully it helps. Inkscape does have a gcode extension you can use as well, but I’ve personally never used it.

[@jackieallphin4519]

can anyone help me figure out how to get the effect scatter ? every video i have watched they have this in their extesions they go to generate from path scatter is in the list but mine does not if anyone can help a girl out that would be greatly appreciated

[@omsingharjit]

Can we use Inkscape to cut 3d latter from 2d wood sheet without CAM knowledge?

[@BadDogMetalworks]

You’re going to need a cam software to program your cuts. Inkscape is only creating 2D geometry/designs. In order to cut that design in wood you’re going to need the cam software to tell the machine how many passes to make and what depth to cut on each pass.

[@ziggyas1]

Thanks the video is great i have fusion 360 as my cad is Sheetcam easer to use for CNC plasma cutting ?

[@BadDogMetalworks]

Yes Sheetcam is a lot more user friendly vs fusion 360 for nesting and applying plasma tool paths.

[@joemedvan54]

I followed step by step 5x so far, and each time I feel more comfortable! My only issue is when saving file as DXF, it pops up with a message from Sheetcam that there could be possible data loss if saved as a dxf? It saves the SVG just fine

[@BadDogMetalworks]

It should still save the dxf file properly. I believe that message is just warning you that if you don't also save a svg file the file won't work properly the next time you try to use it in Inkscape. Inkscape will create dxf files, but it does not work well with imported dxf files. So always save a svg for future editing.

[@charlenegreen9107]

I would like to know how to make my name. Into a script writing font and how to make it. Svg so I can cut it out on wood with my Glowforge I’m new to this

[@BadDogMetalworks]

You would install a script font you like, you can find tons of fonts on dafont. Then type out your font in Inkscape and convert it to a path. Once it’s a path you can join any letters that may not be connected. I’ll try to do a video.

[@kevinh5349]

What happens if you go overboard on "reducing your nodes" and delete too many of them?

[@BadDogMetalworks]

You can always use the undo option to go back or Ctrl + Z will take you back a step also. At times you can remove too many and change the contour too much, if that happen just go back a step and you're fine. With practice you also get kind of a good feel for what nodes to delete and what nodes to keep. Hope that makes sense.

[@debbiebarnett5729]

What do I need for software to take a 2D drawing to 3D?

[@BadDogMetalworks]

Fusion 360 will allow you to import dxf or svg files and extrude them into 3D parts

[@hotwheelsbigwheel916]

I have watched your video "Creating a sign using basic shapes in Inkscape" countless times and I still cannot complete the sign you created. I am struggling after stroke width. I have spent 3 evenings this whole week trying to fallow along without success. Just glad I never spent the money on a CNC table yet.

[@BadDogMetalworks]

After you set your stroke width to the desired width, you then want to go to the menu at the top, select the path tab, and under that list select "Stroke to Path". That will convert the stroke to a closed path with an inner and outer contour. Then you can use under the same path menu "Break Apart" and delete the outer contour and select the stroke size for the inner remaining contour. Hopefully, that makes sense.

[@hotwheelsbigwheel916]

@@BadDogMetalworks after 3 more hours today and not getting anywhere I am walking away. Thanks for the reply but I am over my head.

[@mickpatterson6402]

Does anyone know where I can learn the terminology so I can understand what is happening?

[@BadDogMetalworks]

Inkscape does have tutorials on their website.

[@docdoc4129]

💪💪

[@venM9]

What is snapping. What's the function of snapping.

[@venM9]

Nvm. You explained it later.😂

[@renderuthis]

Its kinda off saying "for cnc". there is no g code. you can use any image.

[@batchrocketproject4720]

not really as Inkscape drawings usually have many overlapping objects that would likely cause unwanted cuts if used as a cnc template. The video admirably explains how to reduce a drawn image to the required unambiguous paths. It is exactly what I wanted and expected from the title.

[@JohnColgan.]

There is a rudimentary G-Code generator within Inkscape, not really brilliant or efficient toolpath generation but it works

[@chrisoreo3126]

This is a beginners guide? I’d hate to see something complicated 😄 I need introductory learning

[@b.w.oostdam8875]

Volume of the video is very very low..