How to stop the engraver just burning line by line

LightBurn Software Questions
1

Hello there,

I have been using some small laser engravers to decorate my woodwork for the past couple of years and was running some generic Chinese imports until they both started to die. They came with a software package called “Engraver Master” which I had been using as I didn’t know any better.
I recently purchased a new and improved machine with a stronger laser, larger bed and better motors (still pretty basic compared to what I see being discussed on here) but I’m struggling to get it to work as effectively.
That old engraver software just crashes when I try to use it on the new machine so I’ve bitten the bullet and upgraded to Lightburn.
Most of it is great - the functionality is infinitely better, more intuitive controls etc. but it takes much longer to do the same engraving as the old software.

Here is where my technical vocabulary might let me down.

I think the issue is that my old software had something it called “full mode”, with this, instead of engraving something line by line, it would optimise the lasers path so that it was always burning rather than travelling back and forward across all the white space.

With the investment in an upgraded machine and stronger laser, I had been anticipating saving a lot of time but, frustratingly, the same pieces are taking at least twice as long on my new set up.

I’m sorry if this is something that is addressed elsewhere. I tried to run some searches but not knowing the technical terms for these processes made that difficult.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I have small video files of each device operating if it’s possible to upload that kind of thing?

2

Take a look at the fill mode settings:

The Fill Shapes Individually option seems close to what you describe:

There’s also Offset Fill, but that behaves somewhat differently and may not be quite what you want:

As with all such things, measure the total times and see which ones work the best for your situation.

1 Like
3

Thank you for this!
I can’t wait to give it a bash - I’ll keep you posted.

Thanks,

Joe

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4

Hello there,
It looks like the “flood fill” option is what I’m looking for. I found this on the documentation links you sent - thank you!
My only problem now is that in the Cut Settings Editor, I don’t have an “advanced settings” section as outlined in that documentation.
If you now where that might be, or what tick box or option I have mistakenly enabled/disabled that would be great, otherwise I’m sure I will run across it as I get to grips with the software.

Thanks again,

Joe

5

You may be in Beginner Mode. If so, Advanced tab would not be visible. Disable in Edit->Settings.

6

Unfortunately not.
Thank you though!

7

Can you take a screenshot of what you’re seeing?

8

You’ll laugh!

I hadn’t yet realised that I should trace the images I drop into Lightburn to allow the software to properly manipulate them.

Now that I’ve done that, the “flood fill” option is doing EXACTLY what I needed.

Thanks guys, I really appreciate your help.

Cheers,

Joe

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