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Engraved Areas Opposite of Expectation

Excessive Overscanning in the Preview Window

Description

Areas of your graphics that you intend to engrave are not engraved, and areas you don't intend to engrave are.

Solution

This behavior may be due to having vector graphics set up incorrectly, having the Negative Image switch in the incorrect position for an image engraving, or a misunderstanding of the Invert option in the Preview window.

  • To invert a vector engraving, so that the opposite of whatever area is currently set to be engraved is engraved instead, you need to add an outline around it, and make sure the outline is set to the same layer as the original vector graphic.

    See How to Invert a Vector Engraving for more information.

  • To invert an image engraving, toggle on the Negative Image switch in the Cut Settings Editor or Adjust Image window.

    The Negative Image option is useful when you're engraving on slate or another material whose original surface is darker than the mark your laser will make on it.

    If you are working with a light material, you should not enable this switch.

Negative Image switch

  • If the Invert switch is toggled on in the Preview window, engraved areas will show in white, and unengraved areas in black. This is intended to represent how your artwork will look when it's engraved on slate, granite, or another dark material upon which the laser's mark will be lighter than the original surface finish.

    This switch only affects the representaton in the Preview window and makes no difference to how your laser will actually engrave your graphics.

    • If you are not engraving on a dark material, toggle off Invert to see a representation of your engraving on a light material.

    • If you are engraving on a dark material, everything is OK!

      Toggling Invert Switch

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