Cut Shapes is disabled - cannot select. How can I switch it on

LightBurn Software Questions
1

I’m baffled as to why the Cut shapes option is disabled. I have highlighted the object to cut out. I have the latest update. I have been following online tutorials for beginners, which shows the Cut Shapes working.

What do I need to do to switch it on?

2

Select shape you want to cut first then hold shift and select the shape you want to cut with. Then go to cut shapes.

3

Thanks for your reply.
I tried it and I’m afraid it doesn’t work.

I’m really at a loss as to what to do next. Do you have anymore suggestions.

4

maybe post your LBRN as it is and we can verify ?
What version of lightburn as well?

5

Thanks
LightBurn 1.4.05, built Wed 2023-08-02 @ 20:08
Cr
Bless you.lbrn2 (75.8 KB)

6

So if i want to use the box to cut the heart

image
image629×569 33.3 KB

click heart , Hold shift, click square

Tools → cut shape

then your blue heart is divided in 2
(NOTE: The cutting “shape” is lost in the process of cutting)
by the intersection of the box
(Applied to the 2nd cut a different layer)

image
image542×504 29.8 KB

Now what was you trying to cut with what?

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7

Don’t have that font. Seems maybe you are trying to weld text?

8

Thanks for your reply.
All I really want to do is laser cut out the heart and the text on 1.5mm bolser wood. Is there a simple process?

Thanks again.

9

Hi, it’s me again.
I think the issue is, there is a line option to print the outline and fill, but there’s no cut option to select which part to cut out.

Where is the cut wood section?

10

right. Line and CUT are in essence the same thing

you must think it a bit more simplistic

A fill operation will “fille” the insides of a shape with multiple lines going back and forward

A Line, will follow the path of the shape
Now a Line done at high speed, low power will engrave that path of the shape
A line done at slow speed, high laser power will CUT it out
if you do multiple passes on the same shape you can cut deeper materials

So you can think of it as
Fill = Engrave
LIne = Fast speed/low power = Engrave line
Line = SLOW speed + high power = CUT out

But line is the same for cut or engrave the path

11

Thanks again.
What low speed should I set to cut?

12

Also, where can I change the wood thickness setting. My laser is on my laminate floor and I don’t want to cut it :slight_smile:

13

This will depend a lot on your machine/laser/material combo

but 1.5mm, i would start with 1000mm/min 100% power 1 pass
dependin the laser module you have that should more than enough.
EDIT: I see you havee a S9, i think thats a 5.5W?
I would go 500mm/min 100% power 1 pass

And you do not change the thickness setting…
think about it as a … again i am being purpusefully simplistic here.
Your laser is a blade
If you run it fast and low pressure on material you will do nothing

If you lean in it slow and really PUSH it will go deeper
If you want to cut thiker, you can push harder, or go slower, or both

You cant also control when the laser stops. once it goes through material… your wasteboard will suffer
So maybe put something under it you dont care about but is low flamable (i use a ugly floor tile :))

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14

Rule of thumb, this is important!

Never put under your laser anything you dont want to be cut, engraved, marked
specially your floor!!!

15

Thanks.
OK - I won’t cut anything until I have a proper surface. Maybe it’s just as well I hadn’t breathed through the cutting part or else my floorboards might have been toast.

Thanks again. I will find something now. I have some old laminate wood in the loft.

16

Good!

Also 2 rules of thumb more
a) never leave machine unnatended, wear your goggles
b) experiment, and take notes on the material, lots of notes

Besides that, have fun

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17

Thanks again for your help.
Can you recommend a good laser cutting board that’s low flammable, ideally, something that’s sold on Amazon?

18

Is this suitable for Sculpfun S9?
400x400mm Laser Cutting Machine Platform Laser Bed Working Table 22mm Thickness | eBay

19

that will definitly work.
Personally as i said i just went to a DIY store, got a big 600x600mm floor tile and use that.

whichever is easier for you

20

As one more thing: We have many resources available to help you get started:

Our YouTube Channel is a great place to start off: https://www.youtube.com/@lightburnsoftware7189/featured

Also, our documentation site is very comprehensive: LightBurn Software Documentation

We’re also always available at support@LightBurnSoftware.com if you have any issues that you cant solve with the forum or the above resources :slight_smile:

Happy lasering!

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