How to set a closed hole to "no fill" across all layers?

[CraftyHobo (J)]

Hi all!

I have many projects in the pipeline that have half a dozen or more layers. I’d like to mark out an area that won’t be etched. At the moment I’ve been using the boolean tool to subtract a hole from each layer individually, but this is cumbersome and frustrating. Is there a way to set it to “no fill” instead?

[JimNM (James)]

For single layer, I assume it would work with multiple layers too…

Make your shape
Make your “hole”
select both - and use WELD shapes together

Try it to see if it will weld multiple layers - or just do it and repeat for each layer where it is needed.

A “hole” in the engrave, all the way through.

[CraftyHobo (J)]

Thanks, but that’s not quite the behaviour I’m after. What I’d like to do is draw a new shape on top of many existing layers, then designate that space as a “do not etch here for any layers underneath” area.

Full context - I’m using my 60W JPT M7 MOPA to etch colours on stainless.

[JTR (Tyler Raps)]

Your best bet is most likely to group all of the existing layers first, and then use Boolean Subtract just once on all of them. Grouping them all first, then using Cut Shapes might be the better option, depending on your exact use case.

Cut Shapes Tool - LightBurn Documentation