In this guide we'll talk about using a SVG file to engrave lines. There is two ways of importing SVG files in Freecad for CNC engraving. The first is to import it then use the compound tool in Part workbench, the second is to use the Draft to sketch in the Draft workbench. In this guide I'll be showing you the "Draft to sketch" way as it is what works best for me. 

Create a Body in FreeCAD

In the Part Design workbench make a new sketch, you can to this by selecting Create sketch on the Task tab. Select the XY plane and press ok. You can now draw your design and ether pad it in the Parts design workbench or extrude it in the Parts workbench. I select Reversed to make sure the top surface is at 0 on the Z axis. Rename the new extruded part something you'll remember for later.

Import a SVG into FreeCAD and convert it to a sketch

Select File then Import, select your SVG file and choose to 'open svg as geometry'. Go to the Draft workbench and select all of the paths of your imported svg file then in the top menu bar click Modification then 'Draft to sketch' in the dropdown. Now hide or delete the paths you selected before and you should be left with a sketch of your imported svg to work with. 

Correct Missing Coincidences

In the Sketcher Workbench, select the Sketch in the Tree View. Click Sketch then Validate Sketch. In the Validation Dialog, under Missing Coincidences, click Find, then click Fix, then click Close.

Working with the new sketch

Now we'll need to put the new sketch on top of the body you made earlier. To resize the sketch go to the Draft workbench and in the top menu bar click Modification then Scale. Click in the center of the sketch then make sure to select two boxes 'Create a clone' and 'Uniform scaling'. You'll need to hide or delete the original sketch as the new resized sketch is a clone. Try adjusting the X factor and the Y and Z should follow, you may need a bit of trial and error to get the size right. Next use the Move tool in the Modification menu to place the new sketch on top of the Body you made earlier .

Engraving with the Path/CAM workbench

Go to the CAM workbench and create a new Job, you'll need to add a tool to use in the tools tab and set the milling speeds then click OK. Select the 3D Body you made earlier and the new resized 2D sketch. Select the sketch in the tree view and select the 'Engraving operation'. Checl in the base geomerty tab that your skech is selected. if not you'll need to add it.