I recently bought this file but it shows as being too big to fit my Atomstack Pro 20 Watt laser machine. How do I cut it into chunks that will fit my 400 mm square laser bed.
I don’t see how to attach the screenshot or the actual file here, please help. anyone.
don w
Drag the file onto the Reply box, or use that tiny little up-arrow.
Regarding uploading the file here, @MikeyH already showed you how.
I’ll leave a tutorial with an example of what you want using the “Print and Cut” function.
thank you for this. if I try as you advise I fin that ‘Cut Shapes’ is greyed out and unusable. Any help ??
This usually means you have not fulfilled the requirements of the setting. For example, you have not selected two items, or one of the items is grouped with other items.
You can use the Cut Shapes Tool with a 395 or 400mm square.
the cut shapes tool is greyed out. sorry.
don w
If I understood, I believe the first reason the feature appears in gray is that you are selecting an object inside another without any line crossings to be cut.
Another reason, though I’m not absolutely certain, is that both objects share the same layer. I believe you have to use different layers for the cut to be made. 
A great help comes in the latest versions, where the area marked in green usually shows tips on what is happening.
Something looks strange, the shape you have framed can easily fit in your laser, what is it that you are having problems with?
You just have to drag the desired element onto your work area.
When you have a workpiece that is larger than your machine, you should use the function that Luis recommends.
Maybe review these docs:
I just tried this with 2 rectangles, one smaller and split apart 2". Clicked on the “cutter”, then on the bigger rectangle. I ended with 1 rectangle the size of the smaller.
I then put the smaller “cutter” rectangle (shrunk a little) inside the larger one. Again, "cutter’, then biggie, 1 rectangle the size of the smaller.
Finally I put 2 small rectangles in the “Cutter” rectangle and grouped all 3 pieces. Same story, smaller rectangle, but with 2 small boxes inside.
Same layer for everything.
Turn on Fill mode for that part and see what happens. You may have an incomplete path in there.
If all else fails, upload that .lbrn2 file so we can analyze it.
I would like to thank you all for the great advice. Due to my medical condition I have limited time to try out these suggestions but I will be back to let you all know what happens.
thanks again for the advice
don w
I will try and attach the .DXF file that I am working with I hope this helps.
FIRE TRUCK.dxf (1.2 MB)
I did not see where you explained why you wanted/needed to do this. Your initial posting was about cutting something that is larger than your laser bed size
No one piece in your project exceeds the size of your laser. @bernd.dk said it when he told you to drag some parts into the grid and work on those a few at a time. You do not have to cut it all at once.
If I am misunderstanding your issue, then please let me know.
You have to Ungroup first.
then select the parts that just fit the laser workbed and run the job until you have all the parts cut. If using Absolute Coordinates place the parts you want to run in LightBurn workspace grid.
Keep track of the parts with a bit of painters tape on the reverse side of the parts.
Or draw a rectangle a wee bit smaller than the platform, select all the parts, and nest them to fit:
I think about that but it is a bit more difficult to keep track of all the parts.
Sorry about that. I am being bombarded with loads of advice and I need to slow it down a bit.
The initial problem was that the sketch I have is large. I tried to cut a piece on my laser machine but it kept using the original 0,0 point in the large drawing and when I asked to frame it the laser jammed against the frame. I was advised to check the pdf’s in the Lightburn User Guides of
Coordinates and Job Origin and Cut Selected Graphics/ Use Selection Origin
I have read through both and have a better idea what to do now but I am still a very new beginner and it takes some time (and a lot of trials) to get an understanding so I will be some time before I have this solved.
Sorry about that, but it is all good advice.
Easy fix. [1] Everything is Ungrouped in the file I downloaded. So any panel section with holes or engraving inside must be Grouped as a unit. [2] Turn on Cut Selected Graphics. Now the laser will only cut what is within the design grid and is selected.
Now you are prepared to move stuff in and out as needed. I recommend you use Absolute Coords to avoid coordinate issues.
Information overload is normal. Do not let it worry you.
