I’m a Newbee and having serious problems. I am able to assign a layer to text with no problem and print just fine. The problem is when I import a .jpg and try to print it. I get message that no layer was saved. If I move the object there is a separate grid that shows. I am unable able to do anything with that. I can’t remove it or anything else. I know that this topic is addressed on the Internet and with some tutorials, but I STILL don’t get it. Please don’t laugh at me for this (although I am laughing at my self), you can laugh with me. But, could somebody explain this to me in simple terms and help me out here? I would be forever appreciative. Thanks. Martin
Show a screenshot of what you are doing and how the layer window looks like.
Melvin,
Thank you for your offer to help. This is a jpeg that I am trying to print.
I also tried some vector saved images as well. I did use the red layer, but I don’t know how I got the square grid and I don’t know why I can’t make this work.
I have a number of family photos and some other projects I would like to burn, but I’m truly at a loss.
Martin
You are using absolute coordinates. If you do that, only objects that fit in the workspace and are placed in it will be send to the laser.
Move the picture to the workspace or change to „current position“ as start from option.
Additionally, it seems that the picture is too big for your workspace. Either it’s not set up correctly in LightBurn, or you need to resize the picture.
Melvin,
I changed the the label to current position for the pic, but I can’t get rid of the tiny grid and it still doesn’t print! Help!!!
I truly appreciate your input.
Martin
What Melvin said.
But he didn’t explain what is the workspace… 
That’s the “tiny grid” you are seeing. LB uses it to show the area under the control of your laser. At least if you have set it up correctly for your laser.
In other words, you need to downsize your image to the dimensions of the grid, and to move it onto this grid. Then LB will be able to engrave it.
Another thing you might find useful - if you look in the top left corner of the Lightburn window you will see 4 boxes - Xpos, Ypos, Width and Height - which will tell you the position and dimensions of the object that is currently selected. If you click and drag that object around the screen you will see the Xpos and Y pos values change, and you can type your own values in to reposition an object. The Height and Width boxes tell you the dimensions of your object, and thus tell you if the material you have placed on the laser bed is big enough for the object you are engraving or cutting. Again, you can type in your own values, or resize your object with the mouse and watch these values change.
And lastly no-one is laughing at you - everyone has to start somewhere and there is no such thing as a stupid question, especially on this forum which is very supportive and friendly.
Phil,
Thanks for your input. It is really helpful; however, I am unable to find the area to change the grid size. Interestingly, when I freshly start LightBurn the entire grid filling the screen shows up and I can enter text within it and it will print. I can also change the size of the output by clicking on it and reducing or enlarging it. However, when I import a .jpg I get the tiny grid and and even if I reduce the picture to fit within the tiny grid it won’t burn the image even though the laser seems to be firing. I have chosen a speed and intensity. I am lost right now. Do you know of anyone in San Diego that I might meet with that could give me some “hands-on” help? I’m sure my problem is somewhere in the settings, but I just don’t know where I can find it.
Thanks,
Martin
Steve,
Thanks for your input. It is really helpful; however, I am unable to find the area to change the grid size. Interestingly, when I freshly start LightBurn the entire grid filling the screen shows up and I can enter text within it and it will print. I can also change the size of the output by clicking on it and reducing or enlarging it. However, when I import a .jpg I get the tiny grid and and even if I reduce the picture to fit within the tiny grid it won’t burn the image even though the laser seems to be firing. I have chosen a speed and intensity. I am lost right now. Do you know of anyone in San Diego that I might meet with that could give me some “hands-on” help? I’m sure my problem is somewhere in the settings, but I just don’t know where I can find it.
Thanks,
Martin
No need to post the same message aimed at two different people… We probably would have seen it even without direct answer.
Anyway, when you import the image, it is big, so the work area seems tiny in comparison. You can zoom in it with the mouse wheel, for example (+ and - keys on the numeric pad work too). Its physical size isn’t supposed to change, it is tied to your laser work area.
What you describe is a problem different from the initial one, where you had an error message of an empty area. You are making progress, we have to address the new problem.
Perhaps you can show a new screenshot of your setup in this case?
I can’t physically be in San Diego, unless you pay me an airplane ticket from France… But this forum is very helpful toward people stuck on a problem. We might be able to guide you if you describe precisely what you tried to do, your settings, etc.
This can start by indicating more precisely what laser you use in your profile.
Ortur Aufero xxx where xxx is the reference, to know the power of the laser, etc.
I think you would benefit from an hour or so with
before trying to engrave anything in anger. I’m not trying to be snarky by pointing you to a beginners document - these guides really are well-written and well worth reading whatever your skill level. And rather than start off with a greyscale image, try something small and simple - a simple coaster with text on it for example. That way you’ll see a result (whether good or bad) quickly and not waste too much time and material.
Steve,
Thank you!
I will study this information.
Martin
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