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Galvo Laser Troubleshooting and FAQ

Below are some common problems and frequently asked questions related to using a Galvo laser with LightBurn.

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.

  • Unplug your laser from the computer.

  • 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.

  • Run: sudo udevadm control --reload-rules

  • Now plug your galvo USB connection back into the machine.

  • 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:

  1. Turn the laser fully off.
  2. Move the USB cable to the correct port.
  3. 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.