Cuts / Layers Window
The Cuts / Layers Window shows the list of layers in your project. From the Cuts / Layers Window, you can assign different operations to specific layers, control the order the laser processes the layers, adjust an abbreviated set of settings for each layer, and more.
To adjust all layer settings, double-click any layer in the Cuts / Layers Window to open the Cuts Settings Editor, which contains all available settings.
Use the Color Palette to change which layer the selected objects are assigned to.
About Layers in LightBurn
In LightBurn, different colors indicate each layer. These colors don't represent the final product's colors but instead differentiate each operation needed to complete the job. Each layer defines a process and a collection of settings that is assigned to objects within the project.
In other words, layers let you tell the machine what it needs to do to produce the final work.
Generally each color refers to a different layer, with one exception — if you add an image to a vector layer (or vice versa), then the layers will split to show two entries in the Cuts / Layers Window.
Accessing the Cuts / Layers Window¶
The Cuts / Layers Window is located in the upper right of LightBurn by default. If you have closed the Cuts / Layers Window, go to Window → Cuts / Layers to re-enable it. To restore it and all other windows to their default positions, go to Window → Reset to Default Layout.
Tip
The layout of LightBurn is highly customizable. For more information on enabling and disabling windows and toolbars, or rearranging the default layout, see Customizing the LightBurn Window.
Cuts / Layers Window Options and Settings¶
Columns¶
# (Layer Name)¶
Shows the layer name. You can adjust a layer's name in the Cuts Settings Editor.
Layer¶
Shows the color and title of the layer. Colors and titles have matching entries in the Color Palette.
Mode¶
View and change the Layer Mode of layers in your project.
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You can adjust the mode of vector graphics between Line, Fill, and Offset Fill.
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Layers containing images are automatically set to Image and cannot be adjusted.
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Layers with multiple Sub-Layers are set to Multi. Open the Cut Settings Editor to adjust Sub-Layer modes and other settings.
Spd/Pwr¶
Shows Speed and Power settings.
You can adjust these settings in Speed and Power Max fields beneath the list of layers, or by opening the Cut Settings Editor.
Output¶
Toggle to enable or disable which layers are output when you Preview, Start, Send, or save a project in machine-specific format.
The color of layers not set to output will be faded in your Workspace.
Tip
Use Preview to verify that only intended layers are set to output.
Right-click Output in the top bar to open a context menu where you can select to:
- Enable all cut layers
- Disable all cut layers
- Invert enabled cut layers, turning currently enabled layers off and currently disabled layers on
- Sort Cuts Last, moving cut layers to the bottom of the list. See below for more information.
Show¶
Toggle which layers are visible in your Workspace.
Right-click Show in the top bar to open a context menu where you can select to:
- Show all cut layers
- Hide all cut layers
- Invert visible cut layers, showing currently hidden layers and hiding shown layers
- Sort Cuts Last, moving cut layers to the bottom of the list. See below for more information.
Air¶
Toggle to enable or disable Air Assist for individual layers in your project.
Right-click Air in the top bar to open a context menu where you can select to:
- Enable all air assist, turning on Air Assist for all layers.
- Disable all air assist, turning off Air Assist for all layers
- Invert all air assist, turning Air Assist off for layers it is currently enabled for, and on for layers it is disabled for
- Sort Cuts Last, moving cut layers to the bottom of the list. See below for more information.
Settings¶
Pass Count¶
Sets how many times the laser will repeat the shapes on this layer.
Speed¶
Adjust the Speed to run the laser at for this layer.
Power Max¶
Adjust the maximum power output level of the laser for this layer.
Power Min¶
Adjust the minimum power output level of the laser for this layer.
Note
This setting is only shown when you're using a DSP laser or are engraving an image using Grayscale Mode, with any type of laser.
Interval¶
Adjust the space between each scan line in a Fill or Offset Fill operation.
Frequency¶
Note
Available Galvo lasers only.
Adjust the Frequency setting for this layer.
Q-Pulse¶
Note
Available MOPA and UV Galvo lasers only.
Adjust the Q-Pulse Width setting for this layer.
Rearrange Layers¶
By default, layer operations are performed by your laser in the order from top to bottom in which they are listed in the Cuts / Layers window.
Note
See Optimization Settings for information on alternate options for ordering operations.
The order that layers are completed is often important, as pieces shift after being cut out. It's therefore best to engrave images and marking/scoring lines before any cuts through the material.
To change the order of the selected layer in the list you can click and drag to change its position or select a layer and click the up and down buttons in the window.
Sort Cuts Last¶
You can also automatically sort all layers, based on how likely they are to cut through the material — with the least likely being performed first.
To do so, right click any heading on the table (e.g. Mode) and choose Sort Cuts Last.
This process orders layers first by their strength — stronger layers have higher Power, lower Speed, and more Passes. It then pushes all Line Mode layers to the end, so all engraving operations are performed before cutting operations.
Copy Layer Settings¶
To copy settings between layers, first select a layer in the list and click the right-arrow Copy button to copy its settings. Next, select the layer you want to copy to, and click the left-arrow Paste button.
Delete Layers¶
Click the Delete button to delete a layer and all objects assigned to it in your Workspace
Identify and Select All Objects on a Layer¶
Right-click any layer in the list to flash the objects assigned to that layer in your Workspace.
Hold Shift and click any layer in the list to select all objects on that layer.
Related Topics¶
For more help using LightBurn, please visit our forum to talk with LightBurn staff and users, or email support.