makernexuswiki - User contributions [en]

Lightburn

2024-12-30T19:09:58Z

DavidMendel: Change link for slack msg

== Configure Lightburn ==

For our BossLaser: select "Ruida" for controller, "Serial/USB", name it, set appropriate bed dimensions (BossLaser is approximately X-axis 1016 mm, Y-axis 609.6 mm), set origin to "Rear Right".

Note that you might have a later version of Lightburn than we run in the makerspace. Lightburn offers two save choices: Lightburn Legacy Project (.lbrn) and Lightburn Project (*.lbrn2). Lightburn Legacy Project (.lbrn) works fine for me on the older version at MN.

== Overview ==

YouTube video with a nice overview [https://youtu.be/uzFsrUwONbw?si=VFFpNvOWBsABrbC- is here]

== Tips and Tricks ==

These first few are courtesy of BARN Lightburn training. Their [https://github.com/BainbridgeArtisanResourceNetwork/ETA-Documents original document is available in GitHub].

* Offset Fill: A Mode for the layer. It will do a spiral fill instead of a raster fill.
* Perforation: Double click on a layer. Look for Perforation Mode.
* Library Window: Select a layer, then select the Library tab. This brings up a list of settings for typical materials. Click "assign to layer" to apply those settings to the layer. This copies the settings so if you later change them in your layer, it does not affect the library settings.
* Cutting Order: In the Laser area click Optimization Settings. We recommend:
** Layers first, then priority within layers
** Cutting inner shapes first
** '''Remove overlapping edges''' (when shapes share an edge, the laser will only make one cut pass)
* Priority Cut Order: Select a shape and look at Shape Properties. Adjust Cut Order Priority. It two shapes have the same priority, then Lightburn will decide which to cut first.
* Images to Vectors: Import your image, left click to select it, then right click and select "trace Image in the pop-up menu
* If your SVG file import has the wrong size, go to Edit/Settings, click on the 'File' icon and change the DPI setting

NOTE: There is a setting for using the Rotary attachment. If this is left enabled, your output to a normal laser cutter bed will be distorted. You can check this here: Open menu Tools / Rotary Setup menu. Uncheck: Enable Rotary

== Material Test ==

When you work with a new material (or even a familiar material but from a new vendor) you are faced with the task of finding the best settings of speed and power to etch and cut the material. LightBurn now includes a nifty tool that will generate a test grid for you. It can be found in the menu under "Laser Tools / Material Test". A video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCfVc8L5NuI&t=1s is here]. Here are a few photos of the tool in action.

{| class="wikitable"

|[[File:Lightburn material test.png|300px]] Menu to Access
|[[File:Lightburn lasertools.png|300px]] Configuration
|-
|[[File:Lightburn grid screenshot.png]] Screenshot
|[[File:Lightburn material test example.jpg|200px]] Used on Plywood
|}

== Software updates ==
If you buy your own copy, the license only lets you update until a specific date. It checks for updates every time you start it, so Lightburn might have you download and install a new version which you're not licensed to use. Looks like finding the newest one before your license expired and installing that one works ... but a bit of a hassle.

== Software discount ==
The following is from Lightburn technical support in December 2024:

We recently made changes to the LightBurn license, so the original DSP license is no longer available. Please read about the changes here:
[https://lightburnsoftware.com/blogs/news/new-lightburn-license-types-and-pricing-coming-oct-1-2024 https://lightburnsoftware.com/blogs/news/new-lightburn-license-types-and-pricing-coming-oct-1-2024]
Now when your members are checking out they will need to select the "Pro" license found here: [https://lightburnsoftware.com/products/lightburn-pro https://lightburnsoftware.com/products/lightburn-pro]

For details on the discount code, see the following message in the Slack laser cutter channel:
[https://app.slack.com/client/T85FQLBED/CFHRHK2UA Slack channel details on Lightburn discount code]

MN Laser Cutters

2024-12-23T23:23:01Z

DavidMendel: Added table of recommended CO2 laser cutter settings

== Laser Cutters Reference ==
* [[Laser Cutter|Reference material]]
* [[Epilog Helix]]
* [[BossLaser LS2440]]
* [[Red Laser]]

==Filters==
3 BOFA HEPA filters

==Air Compressors==

== Recommended CO2 Laser cutter / Engraver settings ==

The following is extracted from a historical
[https://web.archive.org/web/20210414201911/https://www.bosslaser.com/laser-settings/ page]
on the Boss Laser for 100W settings

{| class="wikitable"
|+ CO2 Laser Cutter / Engraver Settings For Common Materials
|-
!Material || Power % || Speed(mm/s) || Interval / scan GAP (mm) || Thickness
|-
|ACRYLIC - Engraving || 20 || 350 || .065 || ANY
|-
|ACRYLIC - Cutting || 75 || 15 || N/A || 1/4"
|-
|Anodized Aluminum - Engraving || 20 || 325 || .065 || ANY
|-
|Balsa Wood - Engraving || 20 || 350 || .065 || Any
|-
|Balsa Wood - Cutting || 55 || 25 || N/A || 1/8"
|-
|Bass Wood - Engraving || 25 || 350 || .065 || Any
|-
|Bass Wood - Cutting || 55 || 25 || N/A || 1/8"
|-
|Birch Wood - Engraving || 25 || 350 || .065 || Any
|-
|Birch Wood - Cutting || 70 || 15 || N/A || 1/4"
|-
|Birch Plywood - Engraving || 25 || 350 || .065 || Any
|-
|Birch Plywood - Cutting || 75 || 15 || N/A || 1/4"
|-
|Cardboard - Engraving || 20 || 350 || .065 || Any
|-
|Cardboard - Cutting || 60 || 15 || N/A || 1/4"
|-
|Ceramic - Engraving || 40 || 350 || .065 || Any
|-
|Glass - Engraving || 25 || 325 || .065 || Any
|-
|Granite - Engraving || 25 || 275 || .065 || Any
|-
|Leather - Engraving || 18 || 350 || .065 || Any
|-
|Leather - Cutting || 75 || 12 || N/A || 1/8"
|-
|Powder-coated Metal - Engraving || 20 || 325 || .065 || Any
|-
|Mirror - Back-side; Engraving || 20 || 325 || .065 || Any
|-
|Paper - Cutting || 15 || 25 || N/A || 1/100"
|-
|Romark - Multi-colored; Engraving || 20 || 350 || .065 || Any
|-
|Rubber - Engraving || 20 || 350 || .065 || Any
|-
|Rubber - Cutting || 75 || 12 || N/A || 1/8"
|-
|Foam - Cutting || 55 || 25 || N/A || 1/4"
|}

==Software==
See [https://makernexuswiki.com/wiki/Lightburn Lighburn]

== tags for search ==
working area

[[Category:Equipment]]

Lightburn

2024-12-23T21:00:38Z

DavidMendel:

== Configure Lightburn ==

For our BossLaser: select "Ruida" for controller, "Serial/USB", name it, set appropriate bed dimensions (BossLaser is approximately X-axis 1016 mm, Y-axis 609.6 mm), set origin to "Rear Right".

Note that you might have a later version of Lightburn than we run in the makerspace. Lightburn offers two save choices: Lightburn Legacy Project (.lbrn) and Lightburn Project (*.lbrn2). Lightburn Legacy Project (.lbrn) works fine for me on the older version at MN.

== Overview ==

YouTube video with a nice overview [https://youtu.be/uzFsrUwONbw?si=VFFpNvOWBsABrbC- is here]

== Tips and Tricks ==

These first few are courtesy of BARN Lightburn training. Their [https://github.com/BainbridgeArtisanResourceNetwork/ETA-Documents original document is available in GitHub].

* Offset Fill: A Mode for the layer. It will do a spiral fill instead of a raster fill.
* Perforation: Double click on a layer. Look for Perforation Mode.
* Library Window: Select a layer, then select the Library tab. This brings up a list of settings for typical materials. Click "assign to layer" to apply those settings to the layer. This copies the settings so if you later change them in your layer, it does not affect the library settings.
* Cutting Order: In the Laser area click Optimization Settings. We recommend:
** Layers first, then priority within layers
** Cutting inner shapes first
** '''Remove overlapping edges''' (when shapes share an edge, the laser will only make one cut pass)
* Priority Cut Order: Select a shape and look at Shape Properties. Adjust Cut Order Priority. It two shapes have the same priority, then Lightburn will decide which to cut first.
* Images to Vectors: Import your image, left click to select it, then right click and select "trace Image in the pop-up menu
* If your SVG file import has the wrong size, go to Edit/Settings, click on the 'File' icon and change the DPI setting

NOTE: There is a setting for using the Rotary attachment. If this is left enabled, your output to a normal laser cutter bed will be distorted. You can check this here: Open menu Tools / Rotary Setup menu. Uncheck: Enable Rotary

== Material Test ==

When you work with a new material (or even a familiar material but from a new vendor) you are faced with the task of finding the best settings of speed and power to etch and cut the material. LightBurn now includes a nifty tool that will generate a test grid for you. It can be found in the menu under "Laser Tools / Material Test". A video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCfVc8L5NuI&t=1s is here]. Here are a few photos of the tool in action.

{| class="wikitable"

|[[File:Lightburn material test.png|300px]] Menu to Access
|[[File:Lightburn lasertools.png|300px]] Configuration
|-
|[[File:Lightburn grid screenshot.png]] Screenshot
|[[File:Lightburn material test example.jpg|200px]] Used on Plywood
|}

== Software updates ==
If you buy your own copy, the license only lets you update until a specific date. It checks for updates every time you start it, so Lightburn might have you download and install a new version which you're not licensed to use. Looks like finding the newest one before your license expired and installing that one works ... but a bit of a hassle.

== Software discount ==
The following is from Lightburn technical support in December 2024:

We recently made changes to the LightBurn license, so the original DSP license is no longer available. Please read about the changes here:
[https://lightburnsoftware.com/blogs/news/new-lightburn-license-types-and-pricing-coming-oct-1-2024 https://lightburnsoftware.com/blogs/news/new-lightburn-license-types-and-pricing-coming-oct-1-2024]
Now when your members are checking out they will need to select the "Pro" license found here: [https://lightburnsoftware.com/products/lightburn-pro https://lightburnsoftware.com/products/lightburn-pro]

For details on the discount code, see the following message in the Slack laser cutter channel:
[https://makernexus.slack.com/archives/CFHRHK2UA/p1732141008765749message Slack channel details on Lightburn discount code]

Lightburn

2024-12-23T20:58:17Z

DavidMendel:

Lightburn

2024-12-23T20:47:50Z

DavidMendel: Information on Lightburn discount liscense

== Configure Lightburn ==

For our BossLaser: select "Ruida" for controller, "Serial/USB", name it, set appropriate bed dimensions (BossLaser is approximately X-axis 1016 mm, Y-axis 609.6 mm), set origin to "Rear Right".

Note that you might have a later version of Lightburn than we run in the makerspace. Lightburn offers two save choices: Lightburn Legacy Project (.lbrn) and Lightburn Project (*.lbrn2). Lightburn Legacy Project (.lbrn) works fine for me on the older version at MN.

== Overview ==

YouTube video with a nice overview [https://youtu.be/uzFsrUwONbw?si=VFFpNvOWBsABrbC- is here]

== Tips and Tricks ==

These first few are courtesy of BARN Lightburn training. Their [https://github.com/BainbridgeArtisanResourceNetwork/ETA-Documents original document is available in GitHub].

* Offset Fill: A Mode for the layer. It will do a spiral fill instead of a raster fill.
* Perforation: Double click on a layer. Look for Perforation Mode.
* Library Window: Select a layer, then select the Library tab. This brings up a list of settings for typical materials. Click "assign to layer" to apply those settings to the layer. This copies the settings so if you later change them in your layer, it does not affect the library settings.
* Cutting Order: In the Laser area click Optimization Settings. We recommend:
** Layers first, then priority within layers
** Cutting inner shapes first
** '''Remove overlapping edges''' (when shapes share an edge, the laser will only make one cut pass)
* Priority Cut Order: Select a shape and look at Shape Properties. Adjust Cut Order Priority. It two shapes have the same priority, then Lightburn will decide which to cut first.
* Images to Vectors: Import your image, left click to select it, then right click and select "trace Image in the pop-up menu
* If your SVG file import has the wrong size, go to Edit/Settings, click on the 'File' icon and change the DPI setting

NOTE: There is a setting for using the Rotary attachment. If this is left enabled, your output to a normal laser cutter bed will be distorted. You can check this here: Open menu Tools / Rotary Setup menu. Uncheck: Enable Rotary

== Material Test ==

When you work with a new material (or even a familiar material but from a new vendor) you are faced with the task of finding the best settings of speed and power to etch and cut the material. LightBurn now includes a nifty tool that will generate a test grid for you. It can be found in the menu under "Laser Tools / Material Test". A video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCfVc8L5NuI&t=1s is here]. Here are a few photos of the tool in action.

{| class="wikitable"

|[[File:Lightburn material test.png|300px]] Menu to Access
|[[File:Lightburn lasertools.png|300px]] Configuration
|-
|[[File:Lightburn grid screenshot.png]] Screenshot
|[[File:Lightburn material test example.jpg|200px]] Used on Plywood
|}

== Software updates ==
If you buy your own copy, the license only lets you update until a specific date. It checks for updates every time you start it, so Lightburn might have you download and install a new version which you're not licensed to use. Looks like finding the newest one before your license expired and installing that one works ... but a bit of a hassle.

== Software discount ==
The following is from Lightburn technical support in December 2024:

We recently made changes to the LightBurn license, so the original DSP license is no longer available. Please read about the changes here:
[https://lightburnsoftware.com/blogs/news/new-lightburn-license-types-and-pricing-coming-oct-1-2024 https://lightburnsoftware.com/blogs/news/new-lightburn-license-types-and-pricing-coming-oct-1-2024]
Now when your members are checking out they will need to select the "Pro" license found here: [https://lightburnsoftware.com/products/lightburn-pro https://lightburnsoftware.com/products/lightburn-pro]
Please provide this discount code for your members: M@kerNexu$-$pace
Please note that this code is case sensitive, so copy & paste is the best way to share it with your members. Also, just a reminder that this is for a single-seat license of LightBurn, intended as an extension of the license from the space, to allow members without their own hardware to use the software at home. If a member does have their own laser, we encourage them to purchase a full license. I have increased your limit to 120 total as you are reaching your limit with only 8 remaining. That leaves 28 uses, as you approach that number I'll increase it. If a member is unable to use the code, just shoot us an email and we'll take care of it.

MN Laser Cutters

2024-12-23T20:37:01Z

DavidMendel:

Software

2024-12-23T20:33:25Z

DavidMendel: Added Shopbot

This page lists software that is used by makers. In most cases this will contain links either to a page in this wiki with tips on that particular software, or to the source of the software.

== Software packages of interest ==

[https://www.lobe.ai/ Lobe] is a free tool from Microsoft to train an AI model using your own photographs.

[https://designer.gravit.io/ Gravit] has a free browser based vector drawing tool. There is also a paid version with more functionality.

[https://makernexuswiki.com/wiki/Lightburn Lightburn] is used with the Boss Laser. There is a discount code available for Maker members.

[https://makernexuswiki.com/wiki/3D_Printing_and_Modeling#Modeling_Software 3D printing Software] includes a description of multiple software packages available for the 3D printers. See other areas on [https://makernexuswiki.com/wiki/3D_Printing_and_Modeling#Printer_Control_Software 3D Printing and Modeling] for software related to modeling, 3D scanning, and Generative Design

[https://makernexuswiki.com/wiki/3D_Printing_and_Modeling#Printer_Control_Software 3D printing Slicer] includes a description of PrusaSlicer (free) used to convert your drawing into directions for the 3D printer.

[https://makernexuswiki.com/wiki/Shopbot_and_Tormak#Software Shopbot software] includes a description of V-carve and Fusion360 for use with the Shopbot. Both V-carve and Fusion360 have free versions.

== Software Other ==
NASA has a [https://software.nasa.gov/ repository of free software].

Software

2024-12-23T20:29:29Z

DavidMendel: Added additional software links

This page lists software that is used by makers. In most cases this will contain links either to a page in this wiki with tips on that particular software, or to the source of the software.

== Software packages of interest ==

[https://www.lobe.ai/ Lobe] is a free tool from Microsoft to train an AI model using your own photographs.

[https://designer.gravit.io/ Gravit] has a free browser based vector drawing tool. There is also a paid version with more functionality.

[https://makernexuswiki.com/wiki/Lightburn Lightburn] is used with the Boss Laser. There is a discount code available for Maker members.

[https://makernexuswiki.com/wiki/3D_Printing_and_Modeling#Modeling_Software 3D printing Software] includes a description of multiple software packages available for the 3D printers. See other areas on [https://makernexuswiki.com/wiki/3D_Printing_and_Modeling#Printer_Control_Software 3D Printing and Modeling] for software related to modeling, 3D scanning, and Generative Design

[https://makernexuswiki.com/wiki/3D_Printing_and_Modeling#Printer_Control_Software 3D printing Slicer] includes a description of PrusaSlicer used to convert your drawing into directions for the 3D printer.

== Software Other ==
NASA has a [https://software.nasa.gov/ repository of free software].