# I am new to laser and Lightburn - making a transition from CNC. I am hoping Lightburn is mo like my Vectric software **URL:** \ **Category:** LightBurn Software Questions\ **Tags:** camera\ **Created:** [November 7, 2026, 2:00am UTC](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/t/i-am-new-to-laser-and-lightburn-making-a-transition-from-cnc-i-am-hoping-lightburn-is-mo-like-my-vectric-software/193795 "2026-11-07T02:00:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Gunshots](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/g/cc9497/32.png) [@Gunshots](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/u/Gunshots)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2026, 2:00am UTC](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/t/i-am-new-to-laser-and-lightburn-making-a-transition-from-cnc-i-am-hoping-lightburn-is-mo-like-my-vectric-software/193795/1 "2026-11-07T02:00:09Z")
I am new to laser and Lightburn - making a transition from CNC. I am hoping Lightburn is more like my Vectric software, Still on my Lightburn trial version, Started with the WeCreat Makeit software and like how I can place my Vector file on my workpiece with the camera image. I have’nt found where I can do this and the videos I’ve watched don’t show it, just "Framing the image. This seems crude for a suposed upgrade software, Am I missing something? Thanks ---
**Author:** ![MikeyH](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/43a26b/32.png) [@MikeyH](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/u/MikeyH)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2026, 7:31pm UTC](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/t/i-am-new-to-laser-and-lightburn-making-a-transition-from-cnc-i-am-hoping-lightburn-is-mo-like-my-vectric-software/193795/2 "2026-11-07T19:31:48Z")
> [@Gunshots](#): > > hoping Lightburn is more like my Vectric software Welcome to the Lightburn world and Forum. If you are used to Vectric, you may have to unlearn some habits. For example, Vectric is CNC mill and Lightburn is Laser control. Two very different worlds, even though both are CNC applications. _To answer your question,_ Lightburn does have an operation where you can use the camera for parts placement and alignment. You must tell Lightburn the camera exists, do a focus calibration, and then a workspace calibration. You then can have a live view to use. The major difference is that material height is very important (as in critical) if you wish to obtain accurate placement. If you have a different material with a different height, you need to do a new calibration for that new height. I doubt this was an issue with Vectric and a camera. Your BIO does not mention what laser, so if you have one with a traveling table, you can get by with one calibration I think. One other difference is your “tool” is only .02m to .15mm wide, depending on the laser power (design). If you use Vectric, you may have heard of **MillMage**. The development grid is very similar to Lightburn, so much so that you can copy vector and image designs back and forth if desired. And there is not a constant fee to use it. **Warning:** When viewing stuff on the internet, do not expect to duplicate much of it. What they leave out is the hours and hours of trials to get that perfect cut or engrave with that perfect material. Everything you see and hear is a guideline, not absolute, no matter what the source. One last word of advice: Do not just post questions, although that is the main purpose of the Forum. Read all the postings and Topics (threads) you can, especially about your particular machine. There is a goldmine of information in the Forum. And check out the online Documentation as well. ---
**Author:** ![Dskall](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/b5e925/32.png) [@Dskall](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/u/Dskall)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2026, 7:58pm UTC](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/t/i-am-new-to-laser-and-lightburn-making-a-transition-from-cnc-i-am-hoping-lightburn-is-mo-like-my-vectric-software/193795/3 "2026-11-07T19:58:11Z")
> [@Gunshots](#): > > more like my Vectric software No, Lightburn is about half the price. I have a camera and place my file on the camera overlay, maybe we are talking about different things? ---
**Author:** ![MikeyH](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/43a26b/32.png) [@MikeyH](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/u/MikeyH)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2026, 8:07pm UTC](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/t/i-am-new-to-laser-and-lightburn-making-a-transition-from-cnc-i-am-hoping-lightburn-is-mo-like-my-vectric-software/193795/4 "2026-11-07T20:07:25Z")
> [@Dskall](#): > > No, Lightburn is about half the price. Initially. Lightburn is a 1-time cost, forever license. Any additional cost is for upgrades, which get included for the first year. > [@Dskall](#): > > maybe we are talking about different things? Or just saying the same thing differently. 🤣 ---
**Author:** ![Dskall](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/b5e925/32.png) [@Dskall](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/u/Dskall)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2026, 8:20pm UTC](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/t/i-am-new-to-laser-and-lightburn-making-a-transition-from-cnc-i-am-hoping-lightburn-is-mo-like-my-vectric-software/193795/5 "2026-11-07T20:20:14Z")
> [@MikeyH](#): > > Lightburn is a 1-time cost, forever license So is Vetric from what I read. ---
**Author:** ![MikeyH](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/43a26b/32.png) [@MikeyH](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/u/MikeyH)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2026, 8:31pm UTC](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/t/i-am-new-to-laser-and-lightburn-making-a-transition-from-cnc-i-am-hoping-lightburn-is-mo-like-my-vectric-software/193795/6 "2026-11-07T20:31:37Z")
Really? I thought the Vcarve version was a monthly fee. No matter, MillMage is still a lot lower cost. And try to get the owner of the company to read your emails or postings. 🙄 ---
**Author:** ![Dskall](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/b5e925/32.png) [@Dskall](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/u/Dskall)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2026, 10:20pm UTC](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/t/i-am-new-to-laser-and-lightburn-making-a-transition-from-cnc-i-am-hoping-lightburn-is-mo-like-my-vectric-software/193795/7 "2026-11-07T22:20:41Z")
I thought it was subscription also, but ![image](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/uploads/default/original/3X/0/c/0c57b919c807037ea3e2d064cc5b61d5e90c009c.png) ---
**Author:** ![MikeyH](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/43a26b/32.png) [@MikeyH](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/u/MikeyH)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2026, 11:32pm UTC](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/t/i-am-new-to-laser-and-lightburn-making-a-transition-from-cnc-i-am-hoping-lightburn-is-mo-like-my-vectric-software/193795/8 "2026-11-07T23:32:50Z")
### **Minor updates always free** Minor??? They cripple the Desktop version a lot too. Maybe they changed their pricing model since MillMage came out. ---
**Author:** ![Gunshots](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/g/cc9497/32.png) [@Gunshots](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/u/Gunshots)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2026, 2:40am UTC](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/t/i-am-new-to-laser-and-lightburn-making-a-transition-from-cnc-i-am-hoping-lightburn-is-mo-like-my-vectric-software/193795/9 "2026-11-08T02:40:27Z")
Vectric software is indeed a once and done purchase with 1 year upgrades free, Typically have a new version every year. both are far more expensive than lightburn, They offer a laser module but is for a hybrid unit attached to a CNC. Thanks for the information, I have the camera calibrated but don’t see how to drag my image onto the workpiece? Where do I find it. ---
**Author:** ![MikeyH](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/43a26b/32.png) [@MikeyH](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/u/MikeyH)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2026, 3:00am UTC](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/t/i-am-new-to-laser-and-lightburn-making-a-transition-from-cnc-i-am-hoping-lightburn-is-mo-like-my-vectric-software/193795/10 "2026-11-08T03:00:38Z")
The camera views the workspace. Lightburn overlays your part design onto the camera image. Move your part or design so you get alignment. Did this help? ---
**Author:** ![Dskall](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/b5e925/32.png) [@Dskall](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/u/Dskall)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2026, 3:28am UTC](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/t/i-am-new-to-laser-and-lightburn-making-a-transition-from-cnc-i-am-hoping-lightburn-is-mo-like-my-vectric-software/193795/11 "2026-11-08T03:28:21Z")
Click update camera overlay. You can also click on DOCS above and they have a lot of info.