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LightBurn Software Documentation

website·Indexed 35 days ago

https://docs.lightburnsoftware.com/legacy/

Comprehensive guides and technical documentation for LightBurn laser software, covering installation on Linux, connecting to various laser controllers (including Trocen and Galvo), and configuring cut settings for Line, Fill, Image, and Offset Fill modes. Includes tutorials on image engraving, QR and bar code generation, camera calibration for WeCreat, and hardware troubleshooting such as steps per mm and limit switch installation.

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What's inside LightBurn

  1. Overview of Print and Cut

    Print and Cut is used to align a current laser project to existing Target Positions (registration marks) from a previously output design. This is typically used to cut around a pre-printed design, handle projects larger than the laser's work area, run second passes, or restart halted jobs. It calculates the difference in location, orientation, and scale between two physical Target Positions in the work area and two corresponding graphics in the LightBurn Workspace.

  2. Overview of the LightBurn Workspace

    The Workspace (also known as the Edit Window) is the primary area in LightBurn used to create, adjust, modify, and arrange artwork. The border and grid size of the Workspace are automatically set to match the machine-specific laser cutting and marking area. Objects placed here are processed based on operations defined in the Color Palette, Cuts / Layers Window, and Cut Settings Editor.

  3. Overview of Image Mode for engraving

    Image Mode is a specialized engraving mode for images that functions similarly to Fill Mode but allows for additional image processing modes to affect the final appearance. Key settings for successful image engraving include Speed, Power, and Line Interval, which vary based on the laser hardware and material used.

  4. Overview of Variable Text in LightBurn

    Variable Text allows LightBurn to automatically substitute specially formatted expressions with alternate data when outputting a project to a laser, previewing, saving in machine-specific formats, or exporting graphics (SVG, DXF, AI). Supported data types include:

    • Date or time stamps
    • Entries from a CSV file
    • Serial numbers
    • Cut Settings

  5. Overview of Repeat Marking for Galvo Lasers

    The Repeat Marking tool allows Galvo lasers to use a Rotating or Linear axis table to repeat identical jobs across multiple parts. The laser marks a design, moves the external axis by a specified increment, and repeats the process for a set number of counts.

    Availability: LightBurn Pro with Galvo lasers. Access: Laser Tools → Repeat Marking.

    Critical Warning: Repeat Marking is incompatible with Rotary Mode. Ensure Rotary Mode is disabled before using this tool.

  6. Overview of LightBurn laser control software

    LightBurn is a native layout, editing, and control application for laser cutters that communicates directly with the hardware without requiring additional software. It is compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux.

    Key capabilities include:

    • Importing vector graphics and images (AI, PDF, SVG, DXF, PLT, PNG, JPG, GIF, and BMP).
    • Creating and editing vector shapes using node editing, boolean operations, welding, and offsetting.
    • Configuring laser parameters such as power, speed, number of passes, cut order, brightness, contrast, and dithering mode.
    • Sending designs directly to the laser cutter hardware.

  7. Overview of Cylinder Correction for Galvo Lasers

    Cylinder Correction (known as ProjectMark in EZCAD) warps the output of a design to compensate for the expansion and curving that occurs when projecting a laser from a single point onto a cylindrical surface (e.g., cups or tumblers) without using a rotary axis. This feature is currently only available for galvo machines and is not supported on DSP or GCode machines.

  8. Overview of the Cuts / Layers Window

    The Cuts / Layers Window displays all layers in a project. In LightBurn, layers are identified by colors; these colors represent specific operations and settings rather than final product colors. This window allows users to assign operations to layers, control the processing order, and adjust abbreviated settings. To access full settings for a layer, double-click the layer to open the Cuts Settings Editor.

  9. Overview of Custom GCode device type

    Custom GCode is a device type introduced in LightBurn 1.5 that allows users to customize how LightBurn generates the GCode commands used to drive a laser. This is particularly useful for machines that require non-standard GCode formatting (e.g., different commands for laser power like M3, M4, M106, or M67). Starting in LightBurn 1.7, Custom GCode devices automatically track and restore modal GCode states for units (G20/G21) and movement (G90/G91).

  10. Overview of the LightBurn Art Library

    The Art Library allows users to store artwork (text, primary shapes, paths, and images) in .lbart files for quick reuse in future projects. Multiple libraries can be loaded simultaneously to categorize artwork by theme or purpose.

    Important Constraint: The Art Library only stores the artwork itself; it does not store Cut Settings. To preserve cut settings with a design, use the standard Save function instead of the Art Library.

  11. Overview of the Edit Nodes tool

    The Edit Nodes tool allows for precise, granular edits to vector paths by controlling nodes (anchor points), straight lines, and curves. Curves are manipulated via handles (tangents) that appear on the nodes at either end of the curve.

  12. Overview of Cylinder Correction for Galvo Lasers

    Cylinder Correction warps the output of a design to correct for distortion caused by engraving cylindrical objects without using a rotary. This feature is exclusively available for Galvo lasers in LightBurn Pro. It is functionally similar to 'ProjectMark' in EZCAD.