Optimize Selected Shapes

Quick Reference: Optimize Selected Shapes

Simplifies and smooths objects.

Location

Edit → Optimize selected shapes
Keyboard Shortcuts

Windows: Alt+Shift+O

Mac: Option+Shift+O

The Optimize Shapes tool simplifies and smooths selected shapes by reducing the node-count or by fitting them to arcs or lines. This is often useful when importing art created in other software, or cleaning up traced artwork.

Using Optimize Shapes¶

To use Optimize Shapes, select the shapes you want to Optimize, and make sure they're Ungrouped. Go to Edit → Optimize selected shapes or use the shortcut Alt/Option+Shift+O to open the Optimize Shapes window.

Text objects or Primary Shapes must be Converted to Paths in order to Optimize them.

Optimize Shapes Window¶

The Optimize Shapes tool adjusts selected shapes within a specified error tolerance, which defines the maximum amount the new optimized shapes can deviate from the original source shapes.

Error tolerance is controlled by the sliders beneath each optimization option. Switches next to each option control whether they are enabled or disabled.

Optimizations are visible in your Workspace as you make changes — adjust the tolerance sliders or enable and disable options to see the result of different combinations of tolerances and optimizations.

Press OK to confirm changes and Optimize the source shapes, or Cancel to discard the changes and leave the shapes as they are.

Smooth source shapes¶

Smooth source shapes smooths out wavy or jagged lines. This is often useful for cleaning up vectors from Image Tracing. Increase the value to strengthen the smoothing effect, at the expense of potentially losing small details or rounding off sharp corners.

Fit shapes to lines¶

Fit shapes to lines simplifies shapes by turning sections that are close to being a line into lines. This can reduce node count or help clean up graphics with many small or overlapping lines.

Fit shapes to arcs¶

Fit shapes to arcs simplifies shapes by converting lines into arcs. This can reduce node count or recreate true arcs from software that exports them as many small line segments.

Points, Lines, and Curves¶

At the bottom of the window, LightBurn displays the number of Points (nodes), Lines, and Curves (arcs) in the original shapes and in the optimized versions of the shapes.

Troubleshooting¶

If the Optimize selected shapes menu option is grayed out, or the shortcut key doesn't open the Optimize Shapes window, make sure you have at least one object selected.
If the Optimize Shapes window shows 0 points, 0 lines, and 0 curves, make sure your shapes are Ungrouped and that any Primary Shapes and Text have been Converted to Paths.

For more help using LightBurn, please visit our forum to talk with LightBurn staff and users, or email support.