Open the DXF in CAD and measure the known reference. The entered width controls the outer image width, not an object inside the photograph.
LOCAL RASTER-TO-VECTOR TOOL
Convert a high-contrast JPG into editable DXF outlines.
Trace logos, silhouettes, stencils, and clean line art in your browser. Tune the threshold, remove tiny shapes, simplify pixel stair-steps, set a real drawing width, and download an ASCII DXF made from closed lightweight polylines.
Open the tracerIMPORTANT LIMIT
A JPG contains pixels, not dimensions or CAD objects. This tool extracts boundaries; it does not recover hidden geometry, true arcs, hole sizes, scale, layers, text, or manufacturing tolerances from a photograph. Measure and inspect the DXF before fabrication.
JPG
Drop a drawing or choose a file.
Best: dark subject, plain light background, even lighting, sharp edges. The file stays on this device.
LIVE VECTOR PREVIEW
Black fill, cyan DXF paths.
Load a JPG to begin.
FROM PIXEL EDGE TO CAD ENTITY
What the converter actually does.
- 01
Threshold
Each pixel becomes traced or background according to luminance and your threshold. Invert when the subject is lighter than its background.
- 02
Trace
Boundary edges around connected pixels are assembled into closed contours. Tiny contours below the selected source-pixel area are removed.
- 03
Simplify
Douglas–Peucker simplification reduces redundant pixel-step vertices. More simplification makes a lighter file but can erase small details.
- 04
Scale and export
The source width maps to your chosen drawing width. Y coordinates are flipped for CAD and each contour becomes a closed LWPOLYLINE.
USE IT FOR
Clean 2D outlines with a known reference dimension.
- Single-color logos and badges
- Stencil or sign silhouettes
- High-contrast scanned line art
- Rough laser, plasma, vinyl, or router planning
REDRAW OR USE SPECIALIST CAD FOR
Geometry where precision is the product.
- Dimensioned mechanical parts
- Perspective photographs
- Floor plans with text and symbols
- Centerlines, true arcs, splines, layers, and tolerances
PRE-FLIGHT CHECK
Inspect the DXF before a machine sees it.
Zoom into corners, holes, and islands. Remove duplicate or unwanted contours and confirm every cutting path is closed.
Add offsets, tool diameter, kerf, lead-ins, tabs, nesting, and material-specific settings in CAM—not in this image tracer.
Simulate toolpaths and test scrap material. A valid DXF file is not proof that the geometry or machine setup is safe.
DXF OUTPUT
Documented lightweight polylines.
The export uses ASCII DXF with closed LWPOLYLINE entities on layer 0. Autodesk documents group code 90 as vertex count, code 70 bit 1 as closed, and repeating 10/20 pairs as X/Y vertices. The file contains outlines only.
Reference: Autodesk LWPOLYLINE group codes and DXF group-code structure. Implementation checked August 23, 2026.
JPG TO DXF FAQ
Raster-to-vector questions, answered plainly.
Does the JPG upload to ToolMerit?+
No. The browser decodes, thresholds, traces, previews, and exports the image locally. Closing or resetting the page releases the working copy.
Why does a photo produce messy DXF paths?+
Texture, shadows, compression blocks, perspective, and background detail create many pixel boundaries. Crop the image, increase contrast, remove the background, photograph straight-on, and include a known dimension—or manually redraw precision geometry.
What threshold should I use?+
Move the slider until the intended subject is solid and the background is clear. There is no universal number. JPEG compression and uneven lighting may require preprocessing.
Can I use the DXF for laser cutting?+
It can be a starting outline, but you must verify dimensions, closed paths, duplicate geometry, minimum features, kerf, material, machine settings, lead-ins, and toolpath safety in CAD/CAM.
Why are curves made of straight segments?+
The source is a pixel grid. This converter simplifies boundary points but does not fit mathematical arcs or splines. Increase simplification carefully or rebuild critical curves in CAD.