What is LightBurn?

LightBurn is a powerful laser engraving software that allows users to control and operate laser engraving machines. In this article, we will guide you through the process of setting up and using LightBurn for fiber laser marking. We will cover topics such as driver installation, importing calibration files, basic device settings, and utilizing dual red light focusing.

How to Use LightBurn?

"Do you think LightBurn a user-friendly laser engraving software?"

Once I had post such question in a LightBurn community in Facebook, 99% LightBurn users answer "Yes", "Definitely", "Absolutely" and so on. As soon as you've come into contact with desktop laser engraver, you'll be bound to hear LightBurn's name. Then there comes the biggest problem, how to use LightBurn?

1. Driver Installation

If you have previously installed EZCAD on your computer, there might be conflicts with the drivers required for LightBurn. To ensure a smooth installation process, it is recommended to uninstall the EZCAD drivers before proceeding. This can be done through the Control Panel or the uninstaller provided with the EZCAD software.

When installing LightBurn, the last screen of the installer has a set of tick boxes to install additional drivers needed for certain types of laser engraving machines. We'll need to add the "EzCad2 driver" used by galvos before LightBurn can see the galvo you're trying to set up.

If you have previously installed EZCAD, you need to remove the EZCAD driver before installing LightBurn. Here are the steps:
(1). Locate your Device Manager.
(2). Look for a device named "BJJCZ device".
(3). Delete this driver.

2. Importing Calibration Files

Calibration files are essential for achieving accurate and precise laser marking. LightBurn supports the import of calibration files generated by various calibration tools. To import a calibration file, please see the following steps:

First, you need to locate your configuration file. Taking EM-Smart as an example, follow these steps to find your configuration file:
(1). Open the "PLUG" folder within the "Ezcad2" installation directory.
(2). Locate the file named "markcfg7".

Secondly, after installing the LightBurn software, open it and click 'Find my Laser' and LightBurn should detect the JCZ controller and add it for you. You will need to specify your field size (the size of your workspace), but this can be changed later too.

Select JCZFiber, click Next, and choose 'USB'. It's the only supported connection type for now.

As with any other laser marking machines, you'll need to enter your window size. (110mm x 110mm is common). Then import configuration file “markcfg7”

Finally, for more accurate data, you can import the unique parameters of each device here again. For example, the EM-Smart manufacturer will debug a suitable parameter for each machine, and then put this parameter file on the USB flash drive inside the package, usually named starting with SN, you can find it in your USB flash drive and import it into LightBurn.

3. Basic Laser Marking Settings

Before starting any laser marking project, it is important to configure the basic device settings in LightBurn. These settings include selecting the correct laser device, setting the laser power, speed, and other parameters. In the editor, locate and open "Device Settings". Then, make the following modifications to the basic settings.

4. Using Dual Red Light Focusing

After you complete the above settings and connect the machine, two red dots will appear. At this time, the two red dots can be overlapped by turning the handle, thus completing the focusing.
If you just would like to laser engraving some patterns on the surface, you shall let the dots coincide. But for photo laser engraving, you need to keep the focus cross-separated so that you can make sure the image is clearly laser engraved.

5. How to invert image in LightBurn?

Actually, just right click your image in LightBurn, then click "Adjust Image". 

After this, you will find the "Negative Image", turn it on, and if possible, you can also try "Invert Display".

6. How to curve text in LightBurn?

Sometimes, we may want to try something different, for example, curving the text for laser marking. Then how to curve? My suggestion is, click the text, and then press and hold the dot appears on the text, the drag the text. That's all. 

What's more, now you will find many tutorials online for how to use LightBurn, video below can be a clear and simple one for you. 

7. How much is LightBurn?

You may find that the regular price for LightBurn is $199, and for a core licene key is $99, but LightBurn has a free uasge period for 30 days. That is quite friendly, for you can first get familiar with this laser engraving machine. 

However, if you haven't get your ideal desktop laser engraver, you can purchase a laser marking machine which comes with LightBurn software totally free of charge, such as EM-Smart Dual.

Conclusion

LightBurn, this potent laser engraving software, provides a user-friendly interface and powerful tools for basic fiber laser marking. By following the steps outlined in this article, you should be able to install the necessary drivers, import calibration files, configure device settings, and utilize dual red light focusing effectively. With LightBurn, you can unleash the full potential of your laser engraving machine and create high-quality laser markings.