How does the .LBRN2 to SVG conversion work?
Native LightBurn files (.lbrn2 and the older .lbrn format) are XML documents. They store every object as a Shape node — rectangles, ellipses, stars, Path outlines, text and groups — together with its transformation matrix, and every cut layer as a CutSetting node with its color, speed and power.
This converter reads that XML directly in your browser memory with JavaScript. The vertex and primitive lists of each outline are translated into standard SVG path commands (M, L, C and Z), the position, rotation and scale of every shape are applied, and each shape keeps its layer color so you can still tell what gets cut, engraved or scored.
The result is a universal SVG file that opens in Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW, Inkscape or your CAD/CAM software, and that you can send to other machines: a CO2 laser cutter, a diode laser module, a MOPA fiber laser engraver, a vinyl cutting plotter or a CNC router.
Your designs never leave your computer
There are no uploads, no accounts and no storage. The whole process runs in your browser, so you can safely convert commercial vectors, client files or designs you sell.
How to move a LightBurn design to Illustrator, CorelDRAW or Inkscape
If you received a LightBurn project and do not own the software, or you need to edit the design in another vector design tool for laser and CNC work, follow these steps:
Convert text to paths (recommended)
If you have access to LightBurn, select your text and use Arrange → Convert to Path before saving. The letters then travel as exact curves and do not depend on the font being installed on another computer.
Upload the .lbrn2 or .lbrn file
Drop it on the upload area or click to browse. Conversion is instant, even for projects with many shapes.
Check the preview
Review the cut layers, hide the ones you do not need to inspect the design, check the dimensions in millimeters and look for any text flagged as not vectorized.
Download the SVG
The file keeps your project’s original name with an .svg extension.
Import it into your software
In Adobe Illustrator use File → Open; in CorelDRAW, File → Import; Inkscape opens the SVG directly. Because every layer keeps its stroke color, you can reassign your laser cutting and engraving settings by color in your software or machine controller.
Scale tip: the SVG coordinates match the millimeters of your LightBurn project. If your software assumes pixels when importing, resize the artwork using the dimensions shown in the preview.
.LBRN vs .LBRN2 vs .SVG
All three formats describe vectors, but they serve different purposes. This table summarizes what each one stores and when to use it.
| Feature | .LBRN | .LBRN2 | .SVG |
|---|---|---|---|
| File type | LightBurn XML (older format) | LightBurn XML (current format), can reuse geometry shared between shapes | Open W3C vector standard |
| Opens in | LightBurn | LightBurn | Illustrator, CorelDRAW, Inkscape, web browsers and CAD/CAM software |
| Cut layers | Yes, with speed and power | Yes, with speed and power | Only as stroke colors |
| Machine settings | Yes | Yes | No, set them in your machine software |
| Best for | Older LightBurn projects | Everyday work in LightBurn | Sharing, editing and sending to CO2, diode, MOPA fiber lasers, plotters or CNC |
SVG does not store speed or power: those laser cutting and engraving settings are assigned again in your machine software, usually by layer color.
Frequently asked questions
How do I open a .lbrn2 file without LightBurn?
Upload the file to this converter and download it as SVG. You can then open it in Illustrator, CorelDRAW, Inkscape or any web browser, without installing LightBurn or creating an account.
Are my designs uploaded to a server?
No. The conversion runs entirely in your browser with JavaScript. The file is never sent over the internet, so your commercial vectors and client designs stay private.
Are layers and colors preserved for laser cutting?
Yes. Every shape is exported with the color of its LightBurn layer (for example C00 in black, C01 in blue and C02 in red), so you can separate cutting, engraving and scoring by color. Speed and power are not part of the SVG standard, so you set them again in your laser software.
What happens to the text in my project?
If LightBurn saved the vector copy of the text, it is exported as exact curves. Otherwise the text is exported with a similar font and the preview warns you. For an identical result, convert text to paths in LightBurn before saving the project.
Does it work with older .lbrn files?
The converter accepts both .lbrn and .lbrn2 files, since both are LightBurn XML projects. If a file has a structure that cannot be read, you will see a warning instead of an incorrect SVG.
Is it free? Are there limits?
Yes, it is free, requires no sign-up and you can convert as many files as you need. The tool is supported by the ads on this page.