The ART format (file extension '.art') holds a single still image that has been highly compressed. The format was designed to facilitate the quick downloading of images, among other things. Originally, the compression was developed by the Johnson-Grace Company, which was then acquired by AOL.
- File extension.art: File category: images: Description: ART files are most commonly associated with America Online (AOL). An image file format was initially developed by the Johnson-Grace company, which was later acquired by AOL; ART format is the proprietary format used exclusively for all bitmap images available on the AOL franchise of services.
- Files that contain the.art file extension are created by a variety of different drawing applications. The ART files that are used by these software programs usually contain vector graphics that are created using points, lines and vertices to draw the image. The ART file format is also used by a number of different clipart software applications.
Formats
We want to make it easy for clients to submit artwork files to ensure a crisp clean print every time. The formats in which these files are submitted vary depending on their intended purpose so please take a moment to familiarise yourself with these preferences.
To start with here are some general guidelines:
- If the images are for the Web or online, use JPEG, PNG, or GIF. (72 dpi versions)
- If the images are for print, use .EPS (Vector), .PDF (Vector) or .TIFF (300dpi).
- If you want to keep a version that remains editable, choose your software’s native file format. (PSD for Photoshop, PSP for Paint Shop Pro, CPT for Corel Photo-Paint, etc.)
- If you want to supply a file to a printer use a .PDF or .EPS
JPEG – Joint Photographic Experts Group
Best used for web
JPEG is a lossy compression technique (also known irreversible compression) as for colour images. It can reduce files sizes to about 5% of their normal size, some detail is lost in the compression. This is why it is used predominately for websites. The file sizes are low which is great for speeding up site loading times.
TIFF – Tagged Image File Format
Best for storing original graphics and for use on printed materials.
Best for versatility – can be used with most programmes
TIFF is a lossless file type. No data or quality is lost when saved. TIFF is the most universal and most widely supported format across all platforms, Mac, Windows, Unix. It’s used for storing original images or artwork so they can be manipulated or saved as other formats at a later date.
PNG – Portable Network Graphics
Is a lossless bitmap image format. PNG was developed to deal with some of the limitations of the GIF format and allows storage of images with greater colour depth and other important information. It is commonly used for logos on the internet.
PSD – PhotoShop Document
Best for manipulating images/photographs using the Adobe Photoshop program
The PSD format was developed by Adobe, the maker of the PhotoShop software package which is a graphic design / digital imaging program. PSDs are generally created and manipulated using the PhotoShop application. They are a predominantly used for editing and manipulating graphics and images.
EPS – Encapsulated PostScript File
Best for printed materials and manipulating images
This file may contain 2D vector graphics, bitmap images, and text. EPS files are supported by several different drawing programs and vector graphic editing applications. They are often used to supply graphics in an original and high quality state.
PDF – Portable Document File
This file format is used for representing documents in a way that is independent of application software, hardware, and operating systems. Documents are saved in PDF format when users are likely to want to print information and won’t need to alter the document. They can also be offered on a website so that immediate access is given to certain information. These files can either be read in a browser or downloaded to your computer.
Glossary
Lossy compression – is a data encoding method that compresses data by discarding (losing) some of it. The method aims to lessen the amount of data that needs to be held, and/or sent by a computer.
Lossless compression – is a form of data compression that allows the exact original data to be reconstructed from the compressed data. Lossless compression is used in cases where it is important that the original and the decompressed data be identical, or where differences from the original data could be damaging.
Need free DXF Files for your Laser, Plasma Cutter, CNC Router, Waterjet, or Other Machine? We can help!
Need DXF File information, tips, and techniques? Scroll down, there’s a bunch below!
Free DXF File Downloads by Category:
More Free DXF Files coming soon: we upload new ones constantly!
DXF File Information
What is a DXF File?
DXF files (files with a .dxf file extension) are a type of CNC File called vector CAD files. Vector CAD Files contain objects such as:
- Lines
- Polygons
- Circles
- Arcs
- Bezier Curves
- Text
DXF stands for Drawing eXchange Format. The Drawing Exchange Format was created by Autodesk for their AutoCAD CAD software. It was originally introduced with AutoCAD 1.0 in December 1982, so it’s been around for a long time.
Most CAD and CAM software will open, create and edit DXF files. Importing a DXF file into a CAD program and then exporting it is the best way to convert DXF files to a different CAD drawing file format. Many drawing programs such as Adobe Illustrator and CorelDraw will also open, edit, and save DXF files, so this is another possibility. For artistic work, a drawing program may be easier. For creating mechanical components, CAD software is better.
We offer this collection of Free DXF Files to get you started.
Why would I need Free DXF Files?
There’s a lot of fun to be had with decorative and artistic CNC projects. Such projects don’t require a lot of precision and are only 2 to 2 1/2D, so they’re easy to make with a CNC Router, Laser, Waterjet, or Vinyl Cutter. Sometimes we’re adding a design as a decorative element on top of a precision machined part, like this engraving on a bandsaw mitre gage:
Many times, the hardest part of these kinds of projects is coming up with artwork. It’s line art, which is relatively straightforward to convert to CAD and thence to CAM and finally g-code. But getting decent line art to start can be a pain. Especially for non-artists.
With this page, I’m making decent quality line art available for free to CNC’ers.
As you can see, we divide the files into Categories like Animal, Holiday, and Vehicles. I have a LARGE library of free dxf files that you’ll be able to download above. I don’t have nearly all of them up yet, but I will be steadily adding to the page until I have them all available.
Below, you’ll also find information about how to get the most out of the free dxf files, so be sure to check out the article below on optimizing your CAM for DXF Cutting Files.
I have big plans for the page, so stay tuned. If you haven’t already subscribed to our email newsletter, get hooked up right below so you don’t miss out as new developments unfold.
Optimizing Your CAM for DXF Cutting Files
To ensure you have an excellent experience with our free DXF files we would like to share with you some information that will make it easier for you to be successful with our DXF files.
The first thing you will want to do once you download a Free DXF file is to unzip the file with a file extraction program. Once you unzip the file folder you will see two files available. One of your unzipped files will end with .dxf and the other will end with .jpg (.dxf files are for cutting .jpg files are for viewing purposes only).
You will primarily be focused on either importing or opening the DXF file into your CAM or CAD based software program. If you are trying to edit the design work you can use a program like Corel Draw or Adobe Illustrator to make quick changes to the existing DXF file.
I know a lot of individuals that are new to the CNC industry like to try Inkscape but I have not had very good success with importing and opening my DXF files into that particular program. I believe it is due to how Inkscape was developed based off older versions of the DXF file format.
If you are importing the DXF file or opening it into your CAM software you will want to be sure to disable your offset tooling function. If you are unable to disable the offset function altogether then you will want to reduce your offset value as small as it will go (.001″). This function may also be referred to as “Tool Compensation.”
The reason to do this is you want the cut to go right down the centerline of the vectors in these files. Anything else can lead to poor results or errors that prevent your CAM package from generating g-cdoe.
Here is an example of what a DXF file looks like when it is imported without any offsets:
This is what a DXF file looks like with a medium offset:
Notice there is not much visible difference, however this medium offset has created over 100 unwanted intersections in the geometry.
This is what a DXF file looks like with a large offset:
The difference is dramatic and alarming. Don’t be fooled by seeing something like this, clearly the issue is due to improper tool path offsetting.
Artwork Files Meaning
If your CAM system is detecting overlapping lines or giving you error codes the primary reason for this is that your auto offset feature is toggled on and your CAM system is literally redrawing the design work to accommodate an unnecessary offset. If you import the DXF file and you are seeing thousands of little lines very close to each other you import options may be configured incorrectly for lines and arcs when they should be set for polylines.
Once you are able to import the DXF file into your CAM software you will notice that most of our CNC DXF files come with two images of the same design.
For example, here’s a Camaro DXF File:
If you zoom in on the DXF file you have imported you will see one design includes single lines like you see in this example (single lines are referred to as open cut paths).
If you zoom in on the other image included in the DXF file you imported you will see that it does not contain any single lines. (In this design all the cut paths are referred to as closed cut paths):
Now that you are familiar with some of the basics of importing your DXF file you will want to either delete the closed path or open cut path version of the design. As a rule of thumb all Plasma and Router based CNC cutting systems will utilize the open cut path version of the design (if you are using a plasma or router based CNC cutting system you can delete the closed path version of the DXF file design) Remember to save the file under a separate name so that you do not lose access to both versions of the design.
Now if you are operating a laser or waterjet based CNC cutting system you will want to utilize the closed cut path version of the design. ( If you are using a laser or waterjet based cutting system you can delete the open cut path version of the DXF file design) Remember to save the file under a separate name so that you do not lose access to both versions of the design.
If you plan to cut the our DXF files with a CNC plasma cutting system it is recommended that you use a plasma cutting system capable of cutting at or below 40 amps. Fine tip consumables between 20 and 40 amps will yield excellent to very good results. Amperage is directly tied to the size of your plasma stream cut width.
For the very best results make sure to do several straight line test cuts to minimize the cut width in the material that you will be cutting. Stand off distance, cut speed and air pressure all have an impact on the cut width and quality of your cut. Every plasma cutting system is different and the only true way to get truly amazing results is through trial and error. With a little time and practice you will minimize your cut width and improve your cut quality that will result in achieving great detail and minimal clean up.
Open Art Files Free