[andy_threos_io]

Real world manufacturing machines (CNCs) are using G codes. Like most laser cutters and engraves, Ex. LaserGrbl software for laser machines.

G codes in fact have command for arcs.

G02 establishes a mode for clockwise circular arcs. G03 establishes a mode for counter-clockwise circular arcs.

[retrocryptid]

I think the OP's concern was that they couldn't upload G-Code, they could only upload PDFs. And because PDFs don't encode circles, a mechanistic translation to G-Code can't convert it into a G-Code circle, only a curve that emulates a circle.

So... you know... note to self... when designing a laser cutter, allow the user to upload G-Code.

[c22]

This is true for almost every machine tool I've ever used (CNC mills, 3d printers, CNC plasma cutting, & water jet), but every laser cutter I've ever used (and I've used the kind that runs on 3-phase power and has no safety enclosure) speaks some variant of PCL. The one exception being a $300 home-brew tabletop laser running the aforementioned LaserGrbl...

That said, apart from a handful of misconfigurations, I've never had a problem getting any of them to cut out nice circles.