Device Setup in LightBurn

If you have not yet installed LightBurn, you will need to do so first. Follow the steps on the LightBurn Documentation site under Setting up LightBurn for the first time. This will include: Downloading the software, Installing LightBurn, and Running LightBurn for the first time.

After those steps are complete, the next thing you need to do is set up your machine layout (work area size and zero / origin) in the settings, and then add your device type in the devices box. If you have more than one type of laser / device, you can add more than one and choose a default. At present, the layout and page size aren’t associated with the device, but this will be changed to that in the future.

Adding a new device (Laser)

If you’ve never used LightBurn before, you’ll need to tell it a couple things about your hardware to get going.

1. If this is your first time opening LightBurn, it will already bring you to the new device setup wizard, and you can skip to the next step.
   Otherwise, in the lower-right of the display is a box called Laser – on the bottom of it is a button labeled Devices. Click it.
2. Click the button labeled Create Manually (highlighted in red, below):
   
3. Choose Smoothieware from the list. Don’t worry if you have more than one laser. Start with one for now, and add the others later.
4. Choose your connection method. Serial/USB, Network, etc…
   
5. Choose a distinct name and set your machine bed size for X and Y.
   
6. Choose the 0,0 origin point that matches your machine.
   Note: While the endstops are in in the back left, and the Homing Location is the back left, the Origin is not the same as Home. The Origin is located in the front left.
   
7. Click Finish to save your laser setup.
   
   If your laser is connected to the computer, LightBurn will try to establish communication. Depending on your homing selection before, this may or may not home the laser, and then should show Ready in the status box at the top of the laser tab, or the bottom status bar, depending on your system.If you are adding multiple devices, repeat the steps above for each machine. When you are done, you can set the default connection by clicking on the name in the device list and clicking the Make Default button.You may also edit or remove devices by clicking the device and choosing the appropriate button.
8. If you are planning on raster engraving images, you should also enable Clustering. This requires the latest firmware. LaserBoards shipped in 2020 come with it included on the memory card.
   After your laser is set up, select Device Settings in the Edit menu or click the wrench and screwdriver icon in the toolbar. On the right side under Other Options turn on Enable Smoothie Clustering.