Beam Bench Docs
TroubleshootingFiles

Import failed

Beam Bench refused to import your file or imported it as an empty / broken object.

You see

You try to import a file (Ctrl+I). Either an error message appears, or the file imports as a blank object, or some content is missing.

What is happening

Beam Bench supports a defined set of file formats (SVG, DXF, PDF, AI, EPS, common rasters). Files outside that set, or files within the set but with unsupported features, fail to import.

Fix

If the file format is not supported

See Supported imports for the list. Convert your file to a supported format first (e.g. with Inkscape).

If an SVG fails

Common SVG issues:

  • Embedded raster images within the SVG may not import as separate objects. Try exporting from your source app with "vectorize raster" off, or import the raster separately.
  • Complex filters or effects (Inkscape filters, blur, etc.) do not import, flatten / convert to outlines first in the source app.
  • Patterns and gradients: Beam Bench is laser-cutter-shaped; gradients in fills do not have a meaning. Use a single fill color.
  • External font references: Beam Bench cannot fetch missing fonts. Convert text to paths in the source app before exporting.

If a DXF fails

  • AutoCAD-flavor DXF is the most reliable. Other CAD apps' DXF can vary.
  • 3D entities (anything with Z geometry) are not supported.
  • Solids and meshes are not supported.
  • Export as 2D, flat, with simple primitives (lines, circles, arcs, polylines).

If a PDF fails

  • Multi-page PDFs: only the first page imports.
  • Scanned PDFs (no vector content), these are essentially images inside a PDF container. Beam Bench's PDF importer reads vector paths, so convert scanned PDFs to PNG / JPG first.

If a raster fails

  • Verify the file is a real image (some files have wrong extensions).
  • Very large files (50+ MP) may exhaust memory. Downsample first.

If the import imports as empty

The file may have all its content on a layer that is invisible / hidden, or all paths may be zero-length, or the geometry may be far outside the visible canvas area.

Check by opening the file in another app, does it look right there?

Verify it worked

  • The imported geometry appears on the canvas where you expect.
  • All visible source geometry is present.

Still stuck?

File problems

When importing, saving, or working with files goes wrong.

SVG came in wrong size

The imported SVG is much too big or too small. You expected one size and got another.

On this page

You seeWhat is happeningFixIf the file format is not supportedIf an SVG failsIf a DXF failsIf a PDF failsIf a raster failsIf the import imports as emptyVerify it workedStill stuck?