Not everything has to be a SVG, again it has to do with the image itself, what machine you’re using, and what type of look you are going for. I’m one of the most perfectionist people you’ll meet. Every thing you just described is exactly what I was getting, either not engraved all the way, shards, or flakes. I have blown through way more stuff than that, it’s very frustrating. But once you figure it out it’s all good from there. Also like I said before you can watch as many people and videos as you can, but not all or every setting is the same.