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Adjust Image

Quick Reference: Adjust Image

  • Hero Image

    Tweak image settings like contrast, brightness, and gamma while also changing layer settings.

  • Location

    ToolsAdjust Image

    Right-clickAdjust Image

  • Keyboard Shortcuts

    Windows: Alt+I

    Mac: Option+I

The Adjust Image tool streamlines the process of tweaking Image Settings such as Contrast, Brightness, and Gamma while also changing Layer Settings, allowing you to adjust all of these properties from a single window, and see an instant preview of resulting output.

To open the Adjust Image tool, select any single image, right-click, and choose Adjust Image from the context menu, or press Alt/Option+I.

Opening the Adjust Image window from the right-click context menu

Adjust Image Window

The Adjust Image window

The original source image is displayed in the top left of the Adjust Image window. The result of your chosen settings is displayed as a processed image in the top right.

Making any adjustment allows you to see an immediate preview of the processed output, side-by-side against the source image.

Click and drag to pan around the image, and use the mouse scroll wheel (or two-finger dragging if you're using a trackpad) to Zoom In and Out. The source image and processed image are kept in sync while zooming and moving around.

Zoomed in on image in the Adjust Image window

Layer Settings

The Layer Settings group on the left contains settings that correspond to those found in the Cut Settings Editor, as highlighted below:

Corresponding settings in the Cut Settings Editor

For more information on these settings, see Cut Settings — Image Mode.

After adjusting settings, click OK to confirm and automatically apply changes to the Layer Settings for the image you are adjusting, or Cancel to discard the changes and leave the settings unchanged.

Note

These settings will affect any image on the same layer as the one you have selected.

Image Settings

The Image Settings group on the right contains settings that correspond to those found in the Shape Properties Window. Adjust these settings by dragging the sliders or directly editing the numeric value of each property.

Image

For more information on these settings, see Shape Properties — Image.

As with Layer Settings, click OK to confirm changes, or Cancel to discard them.

Invert Display

Turn on the Invert Display option to show the processed image with black for the background and white for lasered lines.

Inverting provides a preview of what the resulting output will look like when engraved on slate, black painted tile, black anodized aluminum, or any other material where the marked area will be lighter than the surface of the unmarked material.

Note

This option affects the preview image only — it has no effect on actual output.

Presets

Presets dropdown menu

You can select Presets from the dropdown above Image Settings on the right side of the Adjust Image window.

Selecting a Preset automatically applies all the settings saved to it, overwriting your existing settings.

LightBurn provides two Built-In Presets, as well as the option to save your own frequently used image settings as User Presets.

  • Basic is a good starting point for your own engravings or for creating User Presets.

  • Black Paint on White is similar, but inverted for engraving light marks onto dark surfaces.

Save Image Preset

Save image preset window

The first button next to the Presets' dropdown allows you to save your current settings as an image Preset.

  1. Enter a name for your Preset in the Preset Name field near the top right of the window.

  2. You can choose which Layer and Image Settings are included in the Preset by toggling the switches next to each option.

  3. Click All to include all settings, None to exclude all settings, or Invert to include settings that are currently excluded, and exclude settings that are currently included.

    Excluded settings well be ignored when loading the Preset later.

  4. Click Save to store the selected settings as a Preset, or Cancel to exit without saving.

Delete Image Preset

The second button allows you to Delete image Presets. Make sure the Preset you want to delete is selected in the dropdown first.

Import/Export Image Preset

The third and fourth buttons allow you to Import and Export image Presets, which is useful for backing up your Presets and for moving them between computers.

Tip

You can also include these Presets as part of a User Bundle.


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