Layer Modes
In LightBurn, there are four Layer Modes that determine how your laser will cut or engrave graphics in your design. Below, we'll explain the effect and purpose of each type of Layer Mode.
You can use the Color Palette to assign different colors/layers to your graphics, and adjust the mode of those layers in the Cuts / Layers Window or Cut Settings Editor.
Tip
Use the Preview window to view a simulation of the output to your laser before starting the job.
Line Mode¶
Line Mode tells your laser to trace a path around the contours of vector graphics.
If you command the laser to move quickly, or with low Power, it will likely just etch the surface (sometimes called scoring). If you move slowly and with high power, especially with a CO2 laser, the laser will cut deeper, or even completely through the material. The only difference between surface marking and cutting with Line Mode is the Power and Speed you set.
See Cut Settings Editor — Line Mode for information on additional settings specific to Line Mode.
Fill Mode¶
Fill Mode tells your laser to etch parallel lines within the boundaries of vector graphics.
The distance between each line is determined by the Line Interval setting, and the Speed and Power settings control the darkness or depth of the etch. Use low Intervals, low Speeds, and high Powers for deep engravings or dark marks, or tell your laser to move quickly at low Power to lightly etch or mark the surface.
If you have two shapes set to the same layer, and one is inside of the other, the area between the two outlines will be filled.
See Cut Settings Editor — Fill Mode for information on additional settings specific to Line Mode.
Offset Fill Mode¶
Offset Fill mode works similarly to Fill Mode, but instead of telling your laser to scan parallel lines within the boundaries of a vector graphic, it tells your laser to etch lines that follow the contour of the shape.
As with both Line and Fill Mode, Speed and Power control the depth and darkness of the etch, and, as with Fill Mode, the Line Interval setting controls the spacing of the lines.
Offset Fill is intended for designs with a lot of space in between graphics, to cut down on the amount of travel time necessary to fill large, hollow shapes. If that description does not apply to your graphics, it's best to use Fill instead of Offset Fill.
Offset Fill Computation Time
Offset Fill is very computationally expensive, and the more complex the design, or the smaller the Line Interval set, the more potential there is for the computation to cause LightBurn to hang. Sometimes graphics with stray nodes or unusual paths can confuse the calculation interminably.
If you have two shapes set to the same layer, and one is inside of the other, the area between the two outlines will be filled.
See Cut Settings Editor — Offset Fill Mode for information on additional settings specific to Line Mode.
Image Mode¶
Image Mode is a special engraving mode for images, which works similarly to Fill Mode, but allows you to select an additional image processing mode that affects the appearance of the engraving.
Speed, Power, and Line Interval are all crucial settings for achieving great image engravings, but the appropriate settings are heavily dependent on your laser and material.
Several additional settings that affect the quality of the engraving are applied on a per-image basis, using the Adjust Image tool or Shape Properties Window.
See See Cut Settings Editor — Image Mode for information on additional settings specific to Image Mode.
For more help using LightBurn, please visit our forum to talk with LightBurn staff and users, or email support.