It's not quite so easy as just saving a file as a gcode file. At least not with Inkscape (although it probably is that simple with some proprietary software).
First, it has to be a vector image. So if your image is raster (JPG, PNG, maybe PDF) it will need to be converted to vector. There are 2 ways to do that with Inkscape. Depending on the image, you might be able to auto-trace using Path menu > Trace Bitmap. But in many cases, tracing it "manually" using Inkscape's Pen tool is the best choice.
After that, it might depend on your cutting hardware which Inkscape extension you use. There are several to many extensions which will save or export gcode files. As far as I can tell, in some cases, certain hardware either needs certain extensions or certain extensions work better than others for that hardware. You'll need to research that on your own. We don't know. However, I could show you a list of those extensions.
If it doesn't matter, then Extensions menu > Gcodetools should work. But that's not so easy either. If by chance you're already using version 1.0beta, those extensions don't work yet. You'll need to use 0.92.4 or earlier.
The next consideration is exactly what kind of cutting you plan to do. As you can see, there are different extensions for different kind of cutting. In general, this is the order they must be used in:
Orientation Points
Tools Library
Path to Gcode, or one of the other specific cutters, such as Engraving, Lathe, plasma, etc.
Also, if precision is important, don't change the Scale setting in Document Properties.
Beginners' Questions save inkscape files as gcode
Inkscape.org
where can i download inkscape extension to allow me to save files as gcode file
fred honeyman
It's not quite so easy as just saving a file as a gcode file. At least not with Inkscape (although it probably is that simple with some proprietary software).
First, it has to be a vector image. So if your image is raster (JPG, PNG, maybe PDF) it will need to be converted to vector. There are 2 ways to do that with Inkscape. Depending on the image, you might be able to auto-trace using Path menu > Trace Bitmap. But in many cases, tracing it "manually" using Inkscape's Pen tool is the best choice.
After that, it might depend on your cutting hardware which Inkscape extension you use. There are several to many extensions which will save or export gcode files. As far as I can tell, in some cases, certain hardware either needs certain extensions or certain extensions work better than others for that hardware. You'll need to research that on your own. We don't know. However, I could show you a list of those extensions.
If it doesn't matter, then Extensions menu > Gcodetools should work. But that's not so easy either. If by chance you're already using version 1.0beta, those extensions don't work yet. You'll need to use 0.92.4 or earlier.
The next consideration is exactly what kind of cutting you plan to do. As you can see, there are different extensions for different kind of cutting. In general, this is the order they must be used in:
Also, if precision is important, don't change the Scale setting in Document Properties.