An imported design can look correct in the source application but expose extra paths, missing areas or the wrong size in LightBurn. Laser software must process the actual paths in the file; visual clipping and page previews can hide geometry that still exists.
Preserve evidence first
Keep the original file and make a copy for repair. Screenshot the correct appearance in the source application. Record the file type, export preset, document units and one known dimension — ideally a reference rectangle with an exact width.
Check the LightBurn import
- Import into a new empty LightBurn project with the correct device units.
- Select all and read width/height in the Numeric Edits toolbar.
- Compare the known reference dimension. A fixed factor difference suggests a unit/DPI/export interpretation problem; do not scale by eye.
- Switch View Style or ungroup/break apart a copy to reveal hidden paths.
- Assign all geometry temporarily to one Line layer and inspect Preview.
Expected: the reference dimension matches, every output path has a visible purpose, and Preview contains no hidden traversals or doubled boundaries.
Extra lines and hidden shapes
Stacked shapes and clipping masks may hide artwork in a design program without deleting its paths. Choose the repair based on output:
