Issues with being able to properly open and use DXF files most commonly indicate a need to update the software.

Update Silhouette Studio

Close Silhouette and update to the latest available version. 

DXF Support Limitations

If continued concerns are met, please note that while DXF files can be imported into Silhouette Studio program, there is a limit on features for DXF files that are supported. 

Namely only the following features are supported for DXF files:

  • Arc
  • Circle
  • Ellipse
  • Line
  • DWPolyline
  • Spline
  • Text

Checking Export Options

If only the above components are included and the file was exported from Adobe Illustrator, please note the following information on proper export practices for this file type:

  • The DXF file type should be R13/LT95
  • There can be no groups or compound paths when exporting. You will need to re-group and/or make compound paths in the Silhouette Studio program once the DXF image is successfully opened.

Imported in the Wrong Size

Unfortunately, DXF files are not formatted such that they retain size information when they are imported into other programs. 

Silhouette Studio does have an import option to center the image or fit it into the page size being used as it is initially opened for easier initial viewing. To enable this:

  1. Open Silhouette Studio
  2. Go to Edit > Preferences > Import


NOTE: This option does not provide the size from the original software used to make the image. It would just make the imported design easier to see initially when opened in Silhouette Studio.

You can re-size the image to your exact desired specification after opening it in Silhouette Studio. 

If you need to export an image in a file format that retains exact sizing, the only such file types would be PNG (for raster images; require tracing to create your cut lines), or SVG files (for vector line images; requires Silhouette Studio Designer Edition). SVG files need to be at the default rate of 72 DPI to retain their size. 

There is currently no other workaround to ensure that the expected size from the original file is how the image would be opened. This is a limitation of the DXF file type itself.  

Continued Issues

If continued issues are encountered, you are welcome to send the file to support@silhouetteamerica.com for review.  

While we cannot provide support for or potentially "fix" the DXF file, we can review the file to consider making future DXF support improvements.