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Framing

Note for Galvo users

This section covers Framing behavior for Gantry lasers. If you have Galvo laser, see Galvo Framing.

Just as previewing helps you verify that you've applied your layer settings properly, Framing lets you check that you've set your Start From mode and Job Origin (if applicable) correctly.

There are two Frame buttons in the Laser Window — clicking either will command your laser to trace a path around the area where your project will output.

The speed at which the laser travels during Framing is determined by the value set in the Speed field in the Move Window.

The framing buttons in the Laser Window

Speed control in the Move Window

Bounding Box Frame

Bounding Box Framing commands the laser to trace a path defined as the smallest possible rectangle that will fully contain all graphics you're sending to the laser.

Here's a representation of that path in LightBurn:

Box Frame representation in LightBurn

And here's the laser following that same path during Framing:

Live Bounding Box Framing example

Rubber Band Frame

Rubber Band Framing commands the laser to trace the smallest possible path that fully contains all graphics in the design you're sending to the laser, as if a rubber band were stretched around them.

Tip

Rubber Band Framing is useful for lining up jobs with irregular shapes where a box outline doesn't fit well. For example, a long, thin diagonal shape, or a triangle.

Rubberband Frame representation in LightBurn

Live Rubberband Framing Example

Start From Mode, Job Origin, and Framing

Now let's look at a few examples of how we can test out various Start From mode and Job Origin combinations. To simplify things, we'll use Bounding Box Framing for all of these examples.

In the first example, we have Absolute Coords selected, and our four hexagon design placed directly in the center of the LightBurn Workspace, so when we press the Frame button, the laser traces a rectangle in the exact center of its work area:

Absolute Coords Workspace example

Absolute Coords Framing live example

Now we'll leave the design in the same position in our Workspace, but change the Start From Mode, and see how the Framing location changes.

Here we've selected Current Position as the Start From mode, and the top right Job Origin position, so the laser moves down and to the left from its starting position:

Current Position Top Right Workspace example

Current Position Top Right Framing live example

Here's Current Position again, but with the center Job Origin position selected — now the laser moves out from where it's sitting, and traces a rectangle centered on the location where it began:

Current Position Center Workspace example

Current Position Center Framing live example

Finally, here's User Origin and a top right Job Origin — prior to Framing we'll jog the laser to the top right of its work area, then set the origin (in this case, we used a DSP laser and set the origin from the controller).

Note how even though we jog the laser down to the bottom left after setting the origin, when we press Frame it returns to the top right, to trace a rectangle determined relative to where we set the origin:

User Origin Workspace example

User Origin Framing live example

Framing Tips

Laser On When Framing

We used a laser with a red dot pointer for the above examples. Pointers are extremely helpful for aligning your laser to material, but many diode lasers do not come with them installed.

Because of this, LightBurn offers the ability to run diode lasers at a very low power to aid in Framing. To do so:

  1. Go to Edit → Device Settings to open the Device Settings window.
  2. In the Basic Settings tab, toggle on the Enable laser fire button and Laser on when framing settings. Click OK to apply.
  3. The Move Window should now have a Fire button and a box to enter a power level. Keep this value very low to avoid burning the material — start at 0.25%, and only increase that value if the beam is not visible.
  4. The Fire button will toggle the laser on and off. Now you can use the Frame command with the laser visible.

Danger

The Fire button should only be used for diode lasers, which generally don't have a red dot pointer for Framing.

Always wear proper eye protection when Firing your laser. Consult your laser's manufacturer for information on the proper eye protection required for your laser.

This should never be used for a CO2 laser, which has an invisble beam that could blind you or start a fire.

Frame Continuously

Frame Continuously is an option in the Device Settings window that tells your laser to repeatedly Frame the same path until you tell it to stop.

Sometimes you won't get the positioning just right on your first try, but a little nudge of your material is all it takes to get it aligned. Other times, you'll just want to want to double or triple check the position. In either case, Frame Continuously will be a big help.

To enable it:

  1. Go to Edit → Device Settings to open the Device Settings window.
  2. In the Basic Settings tab, toggle on the Frame Continuously setting. Click OK to apply.
  3. Now when you click either of the Frame buttons, a dialog window will open, letting you know that continuous Framing is active, and to press OK when you're ready to stop.

Using a Camera

With a properly calibrated and aligned camera overlay, you won't need to rely on Framing to align output to material in your laser's work area. Instead, you can position graphics over objects shown in your Overlay, and they'll be cut or engraved on the object, using Absolute Coords positioning.

See Camera Control Window for more information on using a camera.

Although a properly set up camera is very reliable for positioning, Framing is still a helpful check to make sure you have the correct Start From mode selected.

For more help using LightBurn, please visit our forum to talk with LightBurn staff and users, or email support.