# SVG File Help **URL:** \ **Category:** Projects\ **Created:** [August 10, 2017, 3:24pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/svg-file-help/40646 "2017-08-10T15:24:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![RobKnauer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/848f3c/32.png) [@RobKnauer](https://community.inventables.com/u/RobKnauer)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2017, 3:24pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/svg-file-help/40646/1 "2017-08-10T15:24:28Z")
I’ve had my xcarve for a few years, I and I love it. I started with the easel software, then moved to Sketchup with makercam and even dabbled in Fusion 360. But I have a new challenge with SVG files. I purchased an svg file from a graphic designer that is a map of Columbus Ohio and my idea was to carve it into a piece of MDF much like the aztec calendars others have made. However, I am having trouble getting the sg to import into either easel or makercam. Easel and fusion 360 gives errors that it cannot be imported and makercam just freezes. I have seen several discussions about using inkscape, so I downloaded it and I am able to view the svg with no issues. Now it’s just a matter of taking it the last little bit. Any help would be appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![WillAdams](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/willadams/32/67263_2.png) [@WillAdams](https://community.inventables.com/u/WillAdams)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2017, 3:51pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/svg-file-help/40646/2 "2017-08-10T15:51:52Z")
I’ve found with MakerCAM, that it’s best if the SVG file - is all closed paths - none of them overlap or intersect - all paths are combined into a single composite path Another option here would be Carbide Create which has just been opened up to use w/ any machine, not just their Shapeoko 3 and Nomad — it has similar limitations to MakerCAM, but adds Vcarving (but doesn’t do drill operations) ---
**Author:** ![AaronMatthews](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/aaronmatthews/32/73728_2.png) [@AaronMatthews](https://community.inventables.com/u/AaronMatthews)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2017, 3:52pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/svg-file-help/40646/3 "2017-08-10T15:52:50Z")
How big is the file? It could be choking on the size or number of points? Or it could just be formatted weird. 😕 You can try saving it as a different file format from inkscape and see if that makes a difference. Look at what vector file formats your software can import. (For the older version of VCarve I used to have to save things as EPS files to get them to import properly) I would try “Save As - Inkscape SVG” first (new file name) and go from there. ---
**Author:** ![RobKnauer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/848f3c/32.png) [@RobKnauer](https://community.inventables.com/u/RobKnauer)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2017, 4:57pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/svg-file-help/40646/5 "2017-08-10T16:57:07Z")
Thanks for the responses guys, like I said, im new with the whole graphics stuff. My suspicion is that there is something messed up with the file format or lines/nodes. Instead of me just taking shots in the dark, I have attached the SVG file that I am working with. Please keep in mind that if you want to use it, you should contact the person that i purchased it from his Etsy store is linked below. > **[EarthArtAustralia - Etsy](https://www.etsy.com/shop/EarthArtAustralia?ref=l2-shopheader-name)** > > Shop Beautiful ultra-detailed maps of Earth from space by EarthArtAustralia. Rave reviews! Average review rating is 4.8 or higher. That being said, If one of you was willing to put this into a carvable format and show me how you did it, I would be happy to compensate you for your time. Thanks in advance! Edit: The uploader didnt like it, so I put it here: [https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7\_GmgyAoy6EYzVIaERqcDEzemM/view?usp=sharing](https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7_GmgyAoy6EYzVIaERqcDEzemM/view?usp=sharing) ---
**Author:** ![AaronMatthews](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/aaronmatthews/32/73728_2.png) [@AaronMatthews](https://community.inventables.com/u/AaronMatthews)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2017, 5:28pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/svg-file-help/40646/6 "2017-08-10T17:28:26Z")
This doesn’t seem to actual be a actual vector file. It looks like it is just a picture embedded inside a SVG file? I could not ungroup it or break it apart. I tried to trace bitmap but it was too much for my PC (crashed it) Multiple attempts to import it into VCarve didn’t work at all. ---
**Author:** ![RobKnauer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/848f3c/32.png) [@RobKnauer](https://community.inventables.com/u/RobKnauer)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2017, 5:35pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/svg-file-help/40646/7 "2017-08-10T17:35:33Z")
In an effort to create the SVG, I used photoshop to turn the original PNG to an SVG. I’m not sure if that matters at all, but here is the link to the PNG. [https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7\_GmgyAoy6Eclp0OTdTXzB0dEU/view?usp=sharing](https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7_GmgyAoy6Eclp0OTdTXzB0dEU/view?usp=sharing) ---
**Author:** ![WillAdams](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/willadams/32/67263_2.png) [@WillAdams](https://community.inventables.com/u/WillAdams)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2017, 5:42pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/svg-file-help/40646/9 "2017-08-10T17:42:44Z")
@AaronMatthews has it — this isn’t a vector SVG, which Easel or MakerCAM or Carbide Create can import, it’s a pixel image placed inside an SVG wrapper. In order to cut this you’ll either need to re-draw it as a vector SVG (or you could get the original GIS data and convert that), or process it as a pixel image. Options for that include: - F-engrave: [Shapeoko CNC Router, Rigid, Accurate, Reliable, and Affordable](https://www.shapeoko.com/wiki/index.php/F-Engrave3) (I believe it auto-traces the images, so likely won’t work for this application) - process it as an image: [Shapeoko CNC Router, Rigid, Accurate, Reliable, and Affordable](https://www.shapeoko.com/wiki/index.php/CAM#Images) - use MeshCAM or some other commercial tool ---
**Author:** ![RobKnauer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/848f3c/32.png) [@RobKnauer](https://community.inventables.com/u/RobKnauer)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2017, 8:36pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/svg-file-help/40646/12 "2017-08-10T20:36:26Z")
> [@Anonymous](#): > > From what I see on his site, he includes a pdf. Do you have that? Maybe you can pull all the vectors from that. I see what you mean, when I purchased it he included a PDF that was a set of directions on how to download the PNG file. Good idea tho! ---
**Author:** ![GlennMDutcher](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/glennmdutcher/32/75687_2.png) [@GlennMDutcher](https://community.inventables.com/u/GlennMDutcher)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2017, 12:47am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/svg-file-help/40646/14 "2017-08-11T00:47:11Z")
That file is a huge, in bit map it’s 78.31in X 111.11 inches and very complex, @PhilJohnson good luck on that file, I wont even attempt it. ---
**Author:** ![GlennMDutcher](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/glennmdutcher/32/75687_2.png) [@GlennMDutcher](https://community.inventables.com/u/GlennMDutcher)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2017, 2:38am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/svg-file-help/40646/16 "2017-08-11T02:38:24Z")
@PhilJohnson Did you get it to trace? ---
**Author:** ![RobKnauer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/848f3c/32.png) [@RobKnauer](https://community.inventables.com/u/RobKnauer)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2017, 12:18pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/svg-file-help/40646/18 "2017-08-11T12:18:29Z")
@PhilJohnson What software are you using to do the trace? ---
**Author:** ![GlennMDutcher](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/glennmdutcher/32/75687_2.png) [@GlennMDutcher](https://community.inventables.com/u/GlennMDutcher)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2017, 2:36pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/svg-file-help/40646/22 "2017-08-11T14:36:29Z")
I just opened the SVG here at work and there is no way Easel could handle it ---
**Author:** ![RobKnauer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/848f3c/32.png) [@RobKnauer](https://community.inventables.com/u/RobKnauer)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2017, 3:46pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/svg-file-help/40646/24 "2017-08-11T15:46:02Z")
@PhilJohnson Thanks for your effort! I was contemplating purchasing vcarve for both inlays and doing some of the fine detailing on projects like these. They to allow me to do a trial, but to my knowledge, don’t let you do an import on the trial. Is there someone here that could confirm that Vcarve would indeed do the job? ---
**Author:** ![RobKnauer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/848f3c/32.png) [@RobKnauer](https://community.inventables.com/u/RobKnauer)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2017, 5:08pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/svg-file-help/40646/27 "2017-08-11T17:08:43Z")
That is bad a\*\*! I’ve got another weekend project to take care of, but I will need to do this ASAP. @PhilJohnson anks again!