Creating designs by code

[diegothewolf (Diego)]

Hello,

i would like to create some test patterns myself by writing some code.
I have done it in the past with my Gantry Diode/IR Laser by outputting a gcode file with some python or JS code.

Meanwhile i switched to a UV-Galvo and would love to do the same.

I noticed the discussion about importing gcode to galvo (linke here).
I just need simple lines and can emulate filling a rectangle myself.

But how would I control Frequency and Q-Pulse?

Is there any other way of creating custom programs to run on the laser?

Thanks in advance.

[JTR (Tyler Raps)]

When you import GCode into LightBurn you are only importing the paths, and not the cut settings. You would need to apply the frequency and Q-pulse (and other) settings to the paths after importing.

If you’re just looking to create a test pattern, the built-in Material Test will most likely be much easier, and all you need.

Material Test - LightBurn Documentation

[LightBurn (Oz)]

For something like this, it might be simpler to just output to LBRN format directly.

If you create a simple file using the Line tool to draw some lines, and save it as an LBRN file (not LBRN2) it should be relatively simple for you to see how the content is produced and stored. The original LBRN format was designed to be human readable and easy to produce.

[fins]

I’ve been having success with galvoplotter from meerk40t to control my laser with python. Not 100% sure if it supports UV lasers.

[diegothewolf (Diego)]

@JTR

When you import GCode into LightBurn you are only importing the paths, and not the cut settings. You would need to apply the frequency and Q-pulse (and other) settings to the paths after importing.

If you’re just looking to create a test pattern, the built-in Material Test will most likely be much easier, and all you need.

Material Test - LightBurn Documentation

I know, but i could write fully functional GCode and RUN it with lightburn, no need to import it.
This way it was easy to have advanced test cases.

Sorry, the Material test tool is “ok” for standard things. Even then i cannot make fine adjustments, exponential gains, adapt two settings at once … there is a lot to gain but this is to complicated as to put it in a public tool.

@LightBurn

For something like this, it might be simpler to just output to LBRN format directly.

If you create a simple file using the Line tool to draw some lines, and save it as an LBRN file (not LBRN2) it should be relatively simple for you to see how the content is produced and stored. The original LBRN format was designed to be human readable and easy to produce.

This is good information, but i still would be limited to lightburns functionality.

@fins

I’ve been having success with galvoplotter from meerk40t to control my laser with python. Not 100% sure if it supports UV lasers.

Looks promising, thank you. I’ll try it with my UV

[LightBurn (Oz)]

@diegothewolf

This is good information, but i still would be limited to lightburns functionality.

If you are trying to run something from LightBurn, unless it’s a GCode device, this will always be true.

Communication with galvo devices uses a proprietary and undocumented protocol - it is nothing like GCode. The Baylor project and Meerk40t have a reasonably complete interface, but even they don’t have all the commands or configuration details.