How do I get LB to not overlap engravings

[SpikeFinch]

Hi there,
Trying to figure out how to get Lightburn to not engrave over the last markings

I am trying to do color markings

Example:
I have a square on the page set to 30% power on layer 1.
I have a circle on the page overlapping the square a little bit on layer 2, set to 70% power.

how can I set LB to not overlap?

I ask this because I have a 15 layer mandala I am trying to color mark on stainless and it keeps blasting over the last markings

[Demus (Joe)]

Don’t overlap them.
Use the trim tool, or weld if you can, to cut the overlap out of one part.
Without seeing the image you’re not gonna get much more than that for advice.
Post the image here so we can help better.

[SpikeFinch]

Thanks
I will have to spend a few hours fixing this file…

[Colin (Colin Worobetz)]

This is a pretty common issue for those used to designing in Illustrator or the like - LightBurn does not function in the same way with overlapping images.

Take this image for example:

Looks great as a 2D map, but when you actually import the vectors into LightBurn…

The way around this would to be to import a bitmap (screen capture) of the image (aka flattened) then perform a trace. Or manually edit the file with the Trim Shapes tool Trim Shapes - LightBurn Documentation

[SpikeFinch]

Thank you!!!

This gives me a good idea.
Going to fix the file in Rhino… (A program I know way better)

[JimNM (James)]

Think of your project like it is made of cookie dough. You need to cut a hole on the bottom layer to keep from stacking the next layer on top.

Post your file (or a similar example) and we will be happy to walk you through the steps.

[SpikeFinch]

It’s pretty complex
I did not make the file, I bought it.
It works great as a depth map (grayscale image) but kind of sucks if you want to make a colored image on SS

[JimNM (James)]

Remember that you can individually turn off the layers. Also you can select the entire color layer by holding SHIFT and left click on the layer in the right hand panel. Explore the BOOLEAN tools (CTRL+B) - they are powerful!

[MikeyH (Mike Hembrey)]

@SpikeFinch

but kind of sucks if you want to make a colored image on SS

That is quite a task getting the heat ranges right. Please post an image of the finished result. And be prepared to answer questions about how you did it.