Turn an SVG into a Wood Inlay Design in 3 Easy Steps (Video Included)

You can turn any one-dimensional SVG file into a wood inlay design perfect for laser cutting.

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It only takes a few quick clicks in Silhouette Studio to turn an ordinary SVG file into a three dimensional file!

Start by importing the design into Silhouette Studio by going to File > Merge.

I'm using this pumpkin SVG from the Fall Farmhouse SVG bundle on So Fontsy.

Once you have the design in Silhouette Studio select the design > right click > Duplicate or copy and paste a second copy.

The original piece will be the top "frame" layer of your wood inlay.

Select the duplicate copy > right click > Release Compound Path.

Since the original design here is filled with black, when I release the compound path it completely turns black.

TIP: Remember a compound path is like a donut with the middle circle hollow and transparent. But when the compound path is released it's like a stack of pancakes. All the layers are still there it's just harder to see because they're now all the same color.

To make it easier to see what you're working with, select the big black blob version and change the fill color to transparent (and the line color to anything but white or transparent if it's not already).

Now select that design one more time and this time right click > Ungroup.

Now, you can select the outer most layer only and pull it away so you have three different layers.

This single solid piece, when cut, will be the base of your wood inlay design.

Select all of the inlay pieces > right click > group so they don't move out of position.

TIP: You can fill the pieces all with a wood pattern to get a very accurate visual, but if you export the design like this, you will get an error when trying to import into xTool Creative Space. So if you do this just change the fill to transparent before you save to your hard drive as an SVG.

When you're ready select all three layers and go to File > Save Selection > Save to Hard Drive. Change the file type to SVG.

Launch XCS or whatever laser cutting software you're using and import or open the SVG file.

Move the wood inlay designs around in the laser software so that the base and frame are near each other to cut on the same piece of wood material.

You can place the inlay pieces in a different part of the processing area.

Now you can move forward with laser cutting the wood to create a wood inlay design. I used my xTool P2 laser for this project.

When you're done laser cutting the wood, use some wood glue to carefully the base piece and frame together. Then you can inlay the contrasting pieces.

Here's a quick video to see the full process as well.

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. By clicking on them and purchasing products through my links, I receive a small commission. That's what helps fund Silhouette School so I can keep buying new Silhouette-related products to show you how to get the most out of your machine!

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