DXF vs SVG for Pattern Cutting
The practical differences between DXF and SVG pattern exports, and which one to send a factory versus a reviewer.
Published January 7, 20265 min read
What each format is built for
DXF is a CAD interchange format built for engineering geometry: it supports layers, real-world units, and the cut-line/internal-line/notch conventions that pattern software and automated cutters expect. SVG is a general-purpose vector graphics format built for the web — it renders reliably in any browser but has no standard convention for pattern-specific layers.
When to use which
| Situation | Use |
|---|---|
| Sending to a factory pattern room or plotter/cutter | DXF |
| Importing into another pattern CAD system | DXF |
| Quick visual review in a browser or a design deck | SVG |
| Embedding a pattern preview on a webpage | SVG |
Common gotchas
- Scale: confirm the DXF export uses the unit convention (mm or cm) the receiving software expects — a unit mismatch silently produces a wrongly sized piece.
- Layers: some legacy CAD systems only read the cut-line layer by default; confirm notches and internal lines are visible after import.
- SVG for cutting: SVG has no notion of real-world scale unless embedded explicitly, so it should not be treated as cut-ready without checking dimensions.
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