Router-based software similar to Lightburn?

LightBurn Software Questions
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6

The youtube video for MilMage looks fantastic - does anyone know how to request to be put on the beta tester list?

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7

When I tried vCarve I wasn’t able to edit the sizes of things after I made them, so if I decided the hole was supposed to be .35mm instead of .3mm, too bad. But if there IS a way to do it, I wasn’t able to find it.

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8

You have to edit your design and then generate new gcode. Looks like milmage is basically a gcode generator. Hope they are also going to let you control from same software.

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9

I am DELIGHTED to hear that Lightburn has a CNC product in the works! In addition to my Omech 60W laser I also have a grbl based CNC router and use a Mach 3 based CNC as well. This is THRILLING news.

Hopefully this is something that will be available soon. If anyone on the Lightburn team is tracking interest please add me to the list.

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10

Y A A A A A A ! ! ! @JohnJohn please sign me up for beta.

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11

I’m allowed to share that LightBurn has a new product offering on its way.

I don’t know what the price will be, but I did hear “Industry Disruptive Pricing - As usual.”

I assure you, I’m equally DELIGHTED to be able to share, now that the keynote has been delivered. It’s been amazing watching it come together. It’s been a challenge being vague about it.

Oz gave some very specific instructions in the live Keynote:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5shU2vj-tw (Skip ahead to the start point / Origin Story ~31:00) I’m reviewing it again now.

When I find the point in the video where Oz announced the MillMage Beta testing I’ll include that timing as well. Enjoy.

56:30 “What’s next?” https://youtu.be/X5shU2vj-tw?t=3390
1:02:03 Invitation for testing… https://youtu.be/X5shU2vj-tw?t=3723

12

Thanks for the timestamps, I managed to miss it by skipping around.

“Industry Disruptive Pricing - As usual.” - hopefully inline with what Lightburn currently costs, and may I suggest a bundle/upgrade package? Dunno about others, but I totally don’t expect a full-blown CAD/CAM system at this price point, but able to import designs from other dedicated products would be nice.

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13

Me neither. If Zaxix motion control is added to the Lightburn U.I., I will be more than happy.

Thanks! I totally missed this too.

14

Now that it’s been announced when will we get more info on specifics? Stand alone, plugin, integrated control?

15

I think that’s fair and reasonable.

I’ve watched LightBurn grow over the last two years and it’s been amazing.

When MillMage arrives in 2024, it will begin its next growth and development phase. I’m looking forward to seeing which new tools get prioritized. Two years from now I expect Millmage will be considerably more refined and capable. I hope I’m still sitting here with a big grin on my face waiting for the next surprise from the Dev Team.

There are two ways to get more specifics. Wait for the Product Launch expected in Q1 2024… or get on the beta testing list and look around.

MillMage will talk to GCode controllers, most likely with a USB Cable but I don’t feel ethernet cable or WiFi are far off given the state of modern controllers.

Currently, folks are calling it 2.5D because it doesn’t do some of the 3D stuff.

There is a Generic GCode editing feature so commands and macros can be fully customized to run more interesting and more novel machines.

16

Cambam is what I use.

17

@JohnJohn MillMage is great news! I just made a request to join the beta.
Can’t wait to give it a spin :slight_smile:
From what I’ve seen in the LBX announce and demo vid, it appears it will adapt to plasma process quite easily.

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18

I know this is a standalone app. but as a dual user of laser and router I like vetrics approach. But I can’t bring myself to commit to their high price. Paying more for software than the machine is a deal breaker for me.

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19

Applies to both software and controller…
If it can move in a tapered spiral (arcs with all 3 axes), it is 3D.
If it is limited to arcs on any 2 axes at a time, it is 2.5D.
If it only have 2 axes, it is 2D.
If it has only 1 axis, it is a drill press.
:rofl:

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20

Is it going to support gcode G2 and G3, or just G1?

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I use V-carve. Depending on what size your CNC is it will cost between $350-700. I use v-carve for my 24x24 CNC at home, my 5’x10’ CNC at work, and I use it when doing things for Lightburn because it geared for design.

22

G2G3 has 2 advantages…

  1. You get smooth arcs instead of stepped curves. This advantage only applies to servo motors. Steppers do have a positioning limit.
  2. Programs can be substantially smaller, requiring less memory. Streaming the Gcode negated the need for huge memory controllers.

I would like MillMage to be G2/G3 capable, but it is hardly a deal breaker to me. Nothing I can afford needs it.

So is Lightburn.

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I don’t think Lightburn is for serious design, but that’s why I like it. Easy learning curve.

24

@bLouChip I have been thinking of you because the Generic GCode tool will make different devices (particularly Plasma Tables) easier to adapt. I kinda want to build one… :slight_smile:

I can’t say that I blame you.

Marlin is supported but I don’t see the edit dialog for G2 & G3 in Device settings (Generic GCode). I’ve asked the team - looking forward to hearing back. :slight_smile:

25

Fwiw G2 and G3 are also usually stepped segments but they are done behind the scenes in the control. They are subroutines that are made to make arcs easier to write by hand.

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