# What tools do you use to prepare SVGs for pen plotting?

**URL:** <https://forum.plotterfolk.com/t/what-tools-do-you-use-to-prepare-svgs-for-pen-plotting/31>\
**Category:** Resources\
**Tags:** svg, vector-workflow, path-optimization\
**Created:** [October 4, 2026, 9:45pm UTC](https://forum.plotterfolk.com/t/what-tools-do-you-use-to-prepare-svgs-for-pen-plotting/31 "2026-10-04T21:45:57Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![rubencio](https://forum.plotterfolk.com/user_avatar/forum.plotterfolk.com/rubencio/32/11_2.png) [@rubencio](https://forum.plotterfolk.com/u/rubencio)\
**Post date:** [October 4, 2026, 9:45pm UTC](https://forum.plotterfolk.com/t/what-tools-do-you-use-to-prepare-svgs-for-pen-plotting/31/1 "2026-10-04T21:45:58Z")

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I’d like to build a useful list of tools people actually use to prepare SVGs for pen plotting.  
This could include software for:

- drawing or editing vectors;
- converting artwork into linework;
- cleaning up duplicate or unnecessary paths;
- simplifying geometry;
- reordering or optimising paths;
- separating different pen weights or colours;
- checking a file before sending it to the plotter.

I currently work mainly with SVG-based architectural drawings, so I’m particularly interested in tools that preserve clean geometry and give good control over individual paths.

That might mean Illustrator, Inkscape, custom scripts, browser-based tools, command-line utilities, generative coding environments, or something much more specialised.

It would be useful to know not only what you use, but also what part of the workflow it solves best.

What tools have earned a permanent place in your pen-plotting workflow?