Notes on LightBurn
We’re checking out LightBurn, via the free trial. On my own computer (with no laser cutter) I told it I was using an AWC controller, so that it would let me mess around with the UI similar to what it would be like to actually use.
Good things
- I love that it uses the design-software-standard hold-space-bar-to-scroll. I think navigating around the workspace (zooming in and out and panning) is more comfortable for me than LO. [@aubilenon]
- It has support for grouping objects, which it even preserves from SVG files. This lets me select a group that has multiple shapes, even of different colors, just by clicking it, which could be pretty convenient [@aubilenon]
- It looks like for certain complex vector cuts it’s a little less dumb about tool path than LO, according to the simulations [@aubilenon]
- I like that it says what DPI it opens SVGs at. I had to measure it for LO. [@aubilenon]
Bad things
- AFAICT, it only lets you have one window open at a time. So like doing a test cut to calibrate power settings means closing your document?? This is a very big downside for me. [@aubilenon]
- The file open menu (at least on mac) starts out set to the LightBurn files only, and you have to change it every time you want to open a DXF, SVG, AI, BMP, or whatever. [@aubilenon]
Other things
I found this form discussion re: opening more than one file at a time. It might have a windows limitation. https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/t/two-or-more-windows/9774
I did see that before writing my feedback. If I’m reading it correctly, it’s possible to run multiple instances of LightBurn, but only one of them can actually control the laser, which is less useful, so they made the default behavior to disable multiple instances (which was a change from previous versions). It’s hard to tell for sure how that part works or doesn’t work without having an actual laser cutter available. They also talk about maybe adding support for multiple tabs in a future release, but I am pretty sure they have not yet done that.
I think the multiple window thing is more vital when actually attached to the laser. I have an opportunity to actually play with a machine running it soon and will report back.
I have been working on a 130w LO Baraccuda like ours ruing the 7813 controller and LightBurn for a bit now. The windows things Is HORRIBLE. ruins production workflow and none of the work around I found (windows) work for this at all.
The other thing that was sketchy is that there are features in the UI that are hard to lock down… That would allow folks to run it very easily and damage the machine. LS currently obscures or password protects those features.
On the plus side the ability for us to create settings libraries is FANTASTIC.