Skip to content

Job Control

After you've created or imported your design, assigned appropriate layer modes and cut settings, and checked (or double-checked) your project using the Preview window and Framing functions, you'll be ready to start the job. Once the job has begun, you'll have a couple of additional options for controlling your machine.

Danger

Before starting any job, make sure you have taken all safety precautions advised by your laser's manufacturer, including wearing proper eye protection, providing adequate ventilation of dangerous fumes, and keeping fire supression equipment close at hand. Never allow your laser to run unattended.

Start

Start button in the Laser Window

The Start button in the Laser Window is the most common method of starting a project, and is available for all types of lasers.

When you press Start, LightBurn will immediately send the project to your laser and it will begin cutting or engraving.

There are two exceptions to this behavior:

  • If you've made a settings or job positioning choice that could cause problems, LightBurn may give you a warning message, and ask you whether you'd like to go ahead with the job, or cancel and correct the issue. We strongly recommend correcting the issue. The warning message will tell you what the problem is, and offer advice on correcting it — be sure to read it in full!

  • If you have a Galvo laser, the Live Framing window will open instead. The same job control buttons that area available in the Laser Window appear in the Live Framing window as well, so you can Start the job from there, after checking positioning again, if necessary.

Click here to learn about alternate methods of starting a job

Some types of lasers have additional options for starting projects. If you have a DSP laser, you'll see the option to Send your project to your laser — this option will transfer the probject to your laser's controller. You can use the control panel to access the file and start it from there.

Both DSP and GCode-based lasers have the option to Save in Machine-Specific Format. If you Save in Machine Specific format, LightBurn will save the project with a file extension such as .nc or .rd. You can then transfer the saved file to your machine using a USB stick. This option is not available for Galvo lasers.

If you're using Beginner Mode you won't see this button in the Laser Window, but the option is also available in the File Menu.

Send and Save Machine File buttons in Laser Window

Pause

Start button in the Laser Window

Click the Pause button while your laser is working to temporarily halt the job. You'll be able to click again to Resume.

Stop

Start button in the Laser Window

Clicking the Stop button will permanently halt your job, meaning you won't be able to resume right where you left off.

Warning

The Stop button should never be your only means of stopping a job in progress. Locate your laser's emergency stop switch, if available, or be prepared to use another method to compeletely cut power to the machine in the event of a fire. Consult your laser's manufacturer for guidance specific to your machine.

First Project

Now that you know how to create, set up, Preview, Frame, and Start a project, you're ready to try running your laser for real. You have two options for the next step:

  • You can learn how to use the Material Test tool to dial in optimal settings for your laser and material, before moving on to the our First Project guide.

  • You can proceed directly to the First Project, if you have settings recommendations from your laser's manufacturer that you're confident in.

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