LightBurn for Galvo Lasers
If you're new to using LightBurn with your Galvo laser, you might be feeling like there's a lot to learn — and there is! But don't let that worry you, we've got you covered with resources on getting started with LightBurn, learning what you can do with your Galvo laser, and overcoming common stumbling blocks.
Note
If this is your very first time using LightBurn, we recommend taking a look at our beginner pathway for an introduction to LightBurn's interface and features.
Setting Up Your Galvo Laser¶
These resources will help you connect your Galvo laser to LightBurn, create a device profile, and adjust settings as needed.
Galvo Driver Installation¶
If you're using a Galvo laser with Windows, you'll need to make sure the correct driver is installed.
If you have an EZCAD-based laser, this can be achieved by checking the Install EZCAD2 Driver box in the LightBurn installer.
If your laser uses a BSL control board, you may need to install a different driver by installing your laser's stock software, or searching the files provided by your machine's manufacturer for an executable file named CypressDriverInstaller.exe or similar. Both the stock software and driver are usually provided with your laser on a USB drive.
Not sure if your laser has an EZCAD2 or BSL board?
If your laser uses EZCAD2 as its stock software, it has an EZCAD2 control board.
If your laser uses SeaCAD, SimpleCAD, or BSLCAD as its stock software, it most likely has a BSL control board. There are many other variants — consult your laser's manufacturer for further assistance identifying your type of laser.
Galvo Device Profile Setup¶
When adding a Galvo device, LightBurn will ask you to import the machine-specific configuration file from your EZCAD2 or SEACAD installation drive or an existing installation. If you don't have this file, you can also manually configure your laser with settings provided by the manufacturer, or use LightBurn's built-in Lens Calibration tool.
Galvo Lens Correction¶
All Galvo lenses have distortion which must be corrected in order for output from your laser to have an appearance that's true to the design you see in your LightBurn Workspace.
When working with a new laser, you can usually import lens correction values provided by your machine's manufacturer when you first set up your laser with LightBurn.
If your manufacturer didn't provide the necessary file, or you purchase a new lens for a laser you already own, however, you may need to use LightBurn's Galvo Lens Calibration wizard to find the appropriate corrections.
To open the Galvo Lens Calibration wizard, go to Laser Tools → Calibrate Galvo Lens → 9 Point Correction (Easy).
Changing a Lens¶
To ensure optimal performance following a physical lens swap on a Galvo laser, there are several changes and settings you'll need to confirm. Some manufacturers provide the calibration information for your new lens, and we strongly recommend you check their website before proceeding to perform the calibration manually.
Timing Settings¶
Timing settings correct for the physical limitations of your Galvo laser's lenses. Usually these values are provided by your laser's manufacturer, but you may also need to adjust them manually for perfect results.
Jump Settings control how the laser moves between cuts. Each jump causes the mirror to shake, with higher speeds and longer distances increasing the shaking. If you have wobbly lines at the start of a marking move, you may need to increase the delay and/or reduce the speed of jumps.
Delay settings control the delay between starting (or stopping) mirror movement and firing the laser. Laser On/Off TC and End TC control the delays for the start and end points of a path. Polygon TC controls the delays for other corners within a path.
Check out this video guide to timing settings made by our friends at the Laser Everything YouTube channel.
IO Port Settings¶
IO (input/output) Ports control external switches attached to your laser's control board. They can trigger the beginning of a marking operation, activate your laser's red dot for framing, monitor a safety switch to ensure it's engaged beforee laser fires, and more.
First Project Video Guide¶
There's no better way to learn how to use your laser than to get started with a beginner project. Follow our step-by-step video guide to complete your first project with your Galvo laser.
Galvo Framing¶
Framing is a function of Galvo lasers that outlines projects in your laser's work area using a red dot light, allowing you to see where your design will output on a physical object.
Click the Frame button in the Laser Window or press F1 to open the Live Framing window.
Note
You may need to hold the Fn key while pressing F1 to open the Live Framing window.
By default, the Live Framing window will also open when you press the Start button in the Laser Window, but you can disable Require framing before start in your Device Settings.
Using a Rotary With a Galvo Laser¶
Rotaries are used to turn cylindrical objects so that their surfaces can be marked by a laser. In order to use your laser with a rotary, you must first establish several important parameters in the Rotary Setup window that control the rotary's motion.
To open Rotary Setup, go to Laser Tools → Rotary Setup (Ctrl/Cmd+Shift+R), or click the rotary icon in the Modes Toolbar.
Cylinder Correction¶
Available for Galvo lasers only, Cylinder Correction is a special mode that warps the output of your design to correct for distortion caused by engraving cylindrical objects, without using a rotary. EZCAD users may be familiar with this tool by the name ProjectMark.
Open the Cylinder Correction Setup window by going to Laser Tools → Cylinder Correction Setup, or clicking the Cylinder Correction button in the Modes Toolbar.
3D Sliced Engraving¶
LightBurn's 3D Sliced Image Mode enables Galvo users to create engravings with both visual and physical depth. This 2.5D engraving mode does not require a live Z Axis and can produce highly detailed engravings, but does not offer precise control over the engraving's depth.
Terminology and Hardware Information¶
In many fundamental ways, Galvo lasers work differently from other types of lasers LightBurn supports. Below you'll find information on common terminology, as well as the nuts and bolts of how a Galvo laser works.
Glossary of Galvo Terminology¶
Find definitions for the common terms you'll come across when you read about working with your Galvo laser.
EZCAD Hatch Quick Translation¶
If you're new to LightBurn but not to Galvo lasers, there's a good chance you've previously worked in EZCAD. This page explains how the hatch-related terms you're familiar with from EZCAD translate over to LightBurn.
Anatomy of a Galvo¶
If you've ever wondered how a Galvo laser works, check out this page.
Troubleshooting and Frequently Asked Questions¶
Can I import an EZCAD project/parameter/file?¶
LightBurn does not have the ability to import or open EZCAD project files or parameters. Due to the file format not being documented, and the sheer volume of effort to produce a useful, cohesive importer, it isn't possible at this time.
If the grid in EZCAD is turned off temporarily, LightBurn can trace screenshots of EZCAD to import placement in many situations.
Why won't LightBurn recognize fiber laser plugged in with USB on Linux?¶
Warning
LightBurn version 1.7 is the last version compatible with Linux, versions of Windows prior to 10, and versions of macOS prior to 11. Revert to version 1.7 and see our 1.7 documentation for information and installation instructions.
This is an issue we haven't generally encountered in our own testing in Ubuntu and Fedora, the two distros we support. The laser is treated as a libusb device and should just work. However, this is occasionally an issue with USB permissions. Please try the following, as discussed on our forum.
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Unplug your laser from the computer.
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Run
sudo gedit /etc/udev/rules.d/usb.rules(you can use any text editor you prefer) and enter the following contents:SUBSYSTEM=="usb", MODE="0666" -
Save the file and close.
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Run:
sudo udevadm control --reload-rules -
Now plug your galvo USB connection back into the machine.
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Run LightBurn without sudo and you should be able to automatically find and connect to the device.
Where are the hatch settings?¶
Hatch in EZCAD is the equivalent of Fill Mode in LightBurn. See our EZCAD Hatch Quick Translation page for help matching the settings you're used to.
Why won't LightBurn connect to my laser after moving USB ports?¶
Some lasers require you to fully reboot the device after moving USB ports. Try these steps:
- Turn the laser fully off.
- Move the USB cable to the correct port.
- Turn the laser back on.
My Galvo is trying to engrave my rotary, what's wrong?¶
LightBurn allows you to shift the center position of your rotary output to compensate for the center of the rotary not lining up precisely with the center of the field.
If your offset value is set incorrectly, output may be shifted far to the left, right, top, or bottom of your laser's work area. See Rotary Mode (Galvo) — Output Center for more information.
For more help using LightBurn, please visit our forum to talk with LightBurn staff and users, or email support.