Knowledge
Practical LightBurn guides, settings, testing workflows and troubleshooting — written for real workshop use.
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170 articles
Current Position: Start a Job Relative to Where the Laser Is Now
Use the laser head's current physical location as a temporary reference point and understand how Job Origin changes the direction of placement.
Absolute Coordinates: Make the Screen Match the Laser Bed
Use LightBurn's most direct positioning model, where a design's Workspace location corresponds to the same location in the machine work area.
Sub-Layers: Multiple Operations on the Same Geometry
Apply multiple cut or engraving settings to the same geometry without duplicating the object, and understand the ordering and compatibility implications.
Passes, Z Offset and Z Step: Repeating a Layer Intentionally
Understand repeated passes and Z-axis changes as part of a controlled process rather than a shortcut for unknown cutting settings.
Cut Settings Editor: Common vs Advanced Without Checkbox Hunting
Learn why the Cut Settings Editor changes with device type and Layer Mode, and how to approach Common and Advanced controls systematically.
Image Mode Layer Settings: What Belongs to the Layer and What Belongs to the Image
Separate Image Mode laser settings from per-image processing controls so a change to one image does not unexpectedly affect everything on its layer.
Offset Fill: When Contour-Following Engraving Helps — and When It Hurts
Use Offset Fill deliberately for contour-following fills and recognize designs that can make the calculation unnecessarily expensive.
Fill Mode: Scan Angle, Bidirectional Scanning and Crosshatch
Understand the Fill controls that change scan direction, travel efficiency and the way engraved coverage is built.
Line Mode for Scoring and Cutting
Use the same vector-following mode for light scoring or through-cuts by controlling energy delivery instead of treating them as different tools.
Layer Modes: Line, Fill, Offset Fill and Image
Choose the correct LightBurn Layer Mode by understanding the motion each mode asks the laser to perform.
Backup, Update and Move LightBurn with User Bundles
Build a repeatable backup routine for LightBurn settings, devices, libraries and presets before updates or moving to another computer.
Units: mm/min, mm/s and Why the Same Speed Number Can Be Dangerous
Learn to check LightBurn control units before copying settings, especially when comparing diode, CO2 and community material recipes.
Projects, Import, Save and Export: Know Which File You Are Creating
Understand the difference between a LightBurn project and imported/exported artwork so you do not lose editable setup or machine-specific work.
LightBurn Interface and Beginner Mode
A map of the main LightBurn windows and why Beginner Mode can be useful while you learn the essential workflow.
Find My Laser and Build the Right Device Profile
How LightBurn discovers supported lasers, why the device profile matters, and what to check before sending your first job.
Layer Defaults vs Material Library: Save Settings in the Right Place
Use layer defaults for recurring palette behavior and Material Libraries for real machine/material recipes.
Console Window: When It Works and What It Is For
Understand what the LightBurn Console shows, why it is mainly for directly connected GCode lasers, and when not to expect it to work.
Image Engraving Workflow: Five Decisions That Matter
A practical order for preparing photo engravings: material response, Speed/Power, interval, image processing and Preview.
Line Interval and DPI: Why More DPI Is Not Always Better
Learn what scan-line spacing changes, why excessive density can hurt quality, and how the Interval Test finds a practical value.
Material Test: Find Speed and Power for a New Material
Build a controlled test grid instead of guessing one Speed/Power pair and hoping it works.
Preview Before Running: Catch Problems Before the Laser Moves
Learn what Preview shows, how to read cut and travel moves, and which mistakes are easiest to catch there.
Frame Before You Fire: Check Placement Before the Job Starts
Use Bounding Box and Rubber Band framing to confirm the physical output area before committing material.
Start From and Job Origin: Put the Job Where You Expect
A plain-language guide to Absolute Coordinates, Current Position, User Origin and the Job Origin control.
Speed, Power and Mode: Reading Cut Settings Without Guessing
The three Cut Settings concepts every beginner should understand before copying numbers from the internet.