Getting a Design Laser-Ready
So you've imported a design into LightBurn that wasn't made with laser engraving in mind, and it's going to take some work to get it ready to go. Don't worry — the tools below are up to the job and then some.
Preview¶
The Preview window simulates movements and lasering operations before sending a project to the machine. Because it can be difficult even for experienced users to keep track of which layers are set to which mode, and whether all of their cut settings are in order, we strongly recommend previewing every project, before sending it to your laser.
If what you see here doesn't align with your expectations, you've got some editing to do. Make sure all of your shapes are set to the correct layers, and those layers are set to the correct modes. If you're working with layers set to Fill Mode, make sure they're overlapping only as you intend.
View Style¶
Changing the View Style alters the appearance of vector graphics in your Workspace, which can be useful for spotting potential design issues and visualizing the final output from a project.
These options only change the rendering of the objects in your Workspace and do not affect the final work produced by the laser.
Delete Duplicates¶
Delete Duplicates finds and removes duplicated objects in your project. Objects don't need to be selected in order to be identified and deleted, but must be Ungrouped and identical in size, shape, and position.
To use Delete Duplicates, go to Edit → Delete Duplicates or press Alt/Option+D.
Boolean Tools¶
Use the Boolean tools to combine existing shapes (or Grouped shapes) into new or more complex shapes. There are three Boolean options, along with one very similar option, Weld.
Trim Shapes¶
Use the Trim Shapes tool to cut line segments back to the next intersection with another line.
If a shape does not intersect with any other lines, Trim Shapes deletes the entire shape.
Edit Nodes¶
Edit Nodes allows you to make precise, granular edits to vector paths, by controlling the placement and behavior of nodes (points in space, sometimes called anchor points) which are linked by straight lines or curves. The curved lines are described by the length and direction of handles (tangents) which appear on one or both nodes at either end of a curve.
Convert to Path¶
Convert to Path transforms built-in shapes created in LightBurn into paths made up of lines, curves, and nodes, that can be edited using the Edit Nodes tool.
The following built-in shapes must be converted to paths in order to edit their lines, curves, and nodes:
Close Paths and Auto-Join Shapes¶
Several functions in LightBurn, including Fill Mode, require shapes that are closed loops, with start and end points that are the same. The following tools help to close shapes that are currently open.
Close Path connects individual shapes with one start and one end point by creating a new line between the points.
Close selected paths with tolerance works similarly to Close Path to close shapes with start and end points that are not the same, while providing greater control over how far apart they must be in order to connect them, and how they will be connected.
Auto-join selected shapes connects line or curve segments whose start and end nodes are directly on top of (or very near to) one another, but not technically connected. When the segments are connected, they are combined into a single path (a sequence of lines, curves, and nodes).
Auto-Join is most often helpful in cases where you've Imported graphics containing open shapes that you would like to use with a function that requires closed shapes.
To connect start and end nodes using Auto-Join, the nodes must be within .05 mm of one another.
Optimize Selected Shapes¶
The Optimize Shapes tool simplifies and smooths selected shapes by reducing the node-count or by fitting them to arcs or lines. This is often useful when importing art created in other software, or cleaning up traced artwork.
Resize Slots¶
Use Resize Slots to adjust the dimensions of slots or tabs in selected objects.
You can use Resize Slots to adjust a jointed design that was intended for a material of a different thickness, or to adjust slots or tabs back to their original size after you rescaled an entire design.
This tool works on two main forms of geometry:
- Slots, like those found in 3D puzzles or partitions in trays, somewhat similar to a traditional halved joint or dado.
- Tabs, like a tenon or the fingers in a box joint, usually found in boxes and drawers.
Kerf Offset / Measuring Kerf Width¶
Kerf refers to the thickness or width of a cut made by a cutting tool. The kerf of a laser is much narrower than that of a saw blade, but the extra material removed can interfere with close-fitting parts such as tabbed boxes or inlays.
Kerf Offset compensates for the extra material removed by offsetting the path of the laser to the outside of closed shapes (for positive values) or the inside (for negative values). This doesn't modify the underlying shape, so you can use your design on lasers with different kerfs by adjusting the Kerf Offset value.
Kerf Offset Guide
Follow this guide to learn how to calculate Kerf Offset accurately and easily, while using minimal material.
For more help using LightBurn, please visit our forum to talk with LightBurn staff and users, or email support.