About this release
LightBurn is the software most people who own a laser cutter end up using, because it covers the whole path from artwork to finished cut in one application. You import or draw the vector design, arrange it on a representation of the machine bed, assign cut, score and engrave settings to each layer, and send it straight to the controller. There is no separate driver chain or print dialog in the middle, the software talks to the hardware directly.
The editing side is a capable vector tool in its own right. It draws and edits shapes and paths, imports the common vector and image formats, and handles the operations a laser job needs, offsetting a cut line, welding shapes, converting an image to an engraving with the right dithering, and setting the order and direction of cuts. That means a design rarely needs a round trip to another program before it is ready to run.
The reason it dominates is the breadth of hardware it drives. It speaks to the controllers found in a huge range of machines, from hobby diode lasers through to larger CO2 and fibre systems, so the same familiar interface runs whatever laser is on the bench. This release is the full application unlocked from first launch, with device profiles for the common controllers included.
What it does
- Full vector editing and layout inside one application
- Direct control of a wide range of laser controllers without a separate driver chain
- Per layer cut, score and engrave settings with ordering and direction control
- Image to engraving conversion with several dithering modes
- Shape operations including offset, weld, boolean and node editing
- Camera assisted alignment for placing a job on the material
- Material test grid generator for dialling in settings on new stock
- Import of the common vector and raster formats
- Rotary attachment support for engraving cylinders
- Device profiles for the common controllers included
Changes in this version
- Expanded controller support for recent machine firmware
- Improved image engraving quality at higher speeds
- Reworked settings library for saving material profiles
- Better camera alignment accuracy
- Faster path planning on large complex jobs
What the package contains
- LightBurn installer
- Device profiles for the common laser controllers
- Material test grid tools
- All interface languages
- Readme with the install and device setup steps
Installation notes
Follow these in order. Most reports of a failed install come from skipping a step rather than from the package itself.
- Disconnect from the network before you begin.
- Pause real time protection for the duration.
- Extract the archive to a folder you control.
- Run the installer as administrator and finish the wizard.
- Apply the included unlock step before the first launch.
- Open the application, add your laser as a device, then reconnect.
System requirements
| Operating system | Windows 10 or Windows 11 |
| Processor | Dual core 2 GHz or faster |
| Memory | 4 GB minimum, 8 GB recommended for large jobs |
| Graphics | A GPU that supports OpenGL 3.0 or newer |
| Storage | 300 MB free during install |
| Connectivity | A USB or network connection to the laser controller |
Things worth knowing
- Add the correct device profile for your controller during setup, the wrong profile will move the machine incorrectly.
- Run a material test grid on unfamiliar stock before committing a real job, settings vary a lot by material.
- Camera alignment needs the camera mounted and calibrated first, it is not accurate straight out of the box.
Questions about this title
Will it run my laser?
Do I need another program to prepare artwork?
What does the camera feature do?
How do I find settings for a new material?
What people are saying
Runs my diode laser and my CO2 machine from the same interface. The test grid saves so much wasted material.
Image engraving quality on this build is a step up. Dithering options make a real difference.
Whole job from artwork to machine in one place. Add the right device profile and it just works.
Listing information
This entry is catalogued under CAD & 3D and carries the tags below. Language coverage is Multilingual, 20 interface languages, and the supported platform list is Windows 10, Windows 11. Version 2.0.05 is the current catalogued build, last checked 1 week ago, and the entry has been in the index since it was added 2 years ago.