What Is LightBurn? Features, Pros, Cons & Our Review

30 Aug What Is LightBurn? Features, Pros, Cons & Our Review

When it comes to laser cutting and engraving, the software you use can significantly impact the quality, efficiency, and creativity of your projects.

At HPC Laser, we understand the importance of reliable, user-friendly, and powerful software to complement our range of laser cutting machines.

One software that consistently stands out in the market is LightBurn.

It has quickly become a popular choice for many laser enthusiasts and professionals alike.

But does it live up to the hype?

In this article, we’ll explore LightBurn software, its pros and cons, and provide our honest opinion based on our hands-on experience and expertise in the industry.

Firstly, What Is LightBurn Software?

LightBurn is a comprehensive laser cutting and engraving control software that offers a full suite of tools for designing, editing, and managing laser projects.

Designed as a native application for Windows, macOS, and Linux, it supports a wide range of laser machines, including CO2, diode, and fiber laser machine models.

Unlike some laser software that may require additional or third-party programs for certain functions, LightBurn aims to provide an all-in-one solution, making it a popular choice among users.

The software is compatible with various laser controllers, including Ruida (used in the HPC range of laser cutters), Trocen, and GRBL-based laser machines, allowing it to integrate seamlessly with most systems.

With support for multiple image formats and vector graphics, LightBurn enables users to create intricate designs and complex projects with relative ease.

The user-friendly interface ensures that both beginners and experienced users can navigate the software efficiently, making it an ideal choice for users at all levels.

What Types Of Laser Machines Does LightBurn Support?

LightBurn is compatible with a variety of types of laser machines, including (but not limited to):

CO2 Laser Cutters

LightBurn supports CO2 lasers commonly used for cutting and engraving non-metallic materials like wood, acrylic, and glass. It offers precise control over laser power and speed, ensuring high-quality results in both simple and intricate designs.

Galvo Laser Engravers

For galvo laser engravers creating detailed works across a variety of materials, LightBurn provides a user-friendly interface and advanced features, allowing for the creation of intricate patterns and fine engravings with ease.

Diode Lasers

LightBurn is also compatible with diode lasers, used for engraving and cutting materials like wood and plastic. The software allows for easy adjustment of settings, offering flexibility and precision for various projects.

Key Features Of LightBurn

With so many different features available, it’s impossible to list them all, but here are some of the stand-out features.

Powerful Design and Layout Tools

LightBurn is equipped with a range of design tools that allow users to create and edit designs directly within the software. This includes vector graphics editing, text manipulation, node editing, and image tracing.

The ability to design within the software itself reduces the need to import artwork from other programs, streamlining the workflow and saving valuable time.

Broad Compatibility with File Formats

LightBurn supports a variety of image formats and file types, including AI, SVG, PDF, DXF, PLT, BMP, JPEG, PNG and more.

This broad compatibility ensures that users can work with their preferred file types without the need for conversion, preserving the quality and integrity of their designs.

Device Connection and Real-Time Control

One of LightBurn’s standout features is its real-time control over the laser machine.

Users can adjust laser settings such as laser power, speed, and pass count directly from the software, allowing for precise control over the engraving and cutting process.

Device permitting, machines can be connected via USB, Network/Ethernet cable or even over WIFI. LightBurn have even released their own (optional) Lightburn Bridge device to boost wireless connectivity.

Simulation and Preview Tools

Before starting a job, LightBurn allows users to simulate the laser’s path via an animated example, and preview the final output. This feature is crucial for avoiding errors, particularly when working with complex designs or expensive materials.

The software’s accurate preview mode helps users save time and resources by ensuring that everything is set up correctly before initiating the cuts or engraving.

Material Library

LightBurn comes with a very helpful ‘Library’ feature, where users can save settings however they choose to and create presets for their most frequently used materials and design styles, and utilise as a material library for increased efficiency and repeatability.

With the click of a button, saved settings can then be re-applied from the Library to existing or future project layers; saving time, and alleviating the pressure of remembering which settings were used previously, or keeping a separate list and manually entering the same settings for every new job.

Pros of LightBurn Software

1. Intuitive Interface

One of the most praised aspects of LightBurn is its intuitive interface. The software is designed to be straightforward, with clear menus and tools that are easy to understand and use.

This makes it accessible to beginners, while still offering the depth and complexity needed by more experienced users.

2. Advanced Features for Professional Use

Despite its simplicity, LightBurn is packed with advanced features that cater to professional users.

These include multi-layer support and the ability to control complex laser settings, allowing the user to process individual parts of the same design differently wherever needed.

This flexibility is essential for achieving the best results in more demanding projects.

3. Continuous Development and Support

The developers behind LightBurn are known for their commitment to continuous improvement.

The software receives regular updates that introduce new features, improve compatibility, and fix any bugs.

Additionally, LightBurn has an active user community and responsive support team, ensuring that help is always available when needed.

4. Perfect For Multi-Machine Setups

If you have more than one machine, either of the same brand or different brands, along as they are all LightBurn compatible you can create ‘Profiles’ for each machine.

Whether they’re CO2, fiber or diode machines, you can add a custom profile for each machine so you can easily switch between them and their unique settings, whilst utilising the same software.

This removes the need to learn the functionality of a range of proprietary software often supplied with laser machines from different brands.

5. Affordable Pricing

In comparison to other commercial laser engraving software, LightBurn is competitively priced.

It offers a range of features that rival more expensive software packages, making it a cost-effective option for hobbyists and professionals alike.

The software is available through a one-time purchase (with the option to renew annually for continued access to future updates), avoiding the need for costly subscriptions.

Cons of LightBurn Software

1. Learning Curve for Beginners

While LightBurn’s user-friendly interface is a major advantage, the software’s depth of features can present a pretty steep learning curve for beginners.

New users may need time to familiarise themselves with the various tools and settings, particularly when it comes to more advanced features.

Fortunately, LightBurn has an in-depth YouTube channel and online forums, as well as providing an in-depth document to customers, where you can find tons of information, guides and videos, from beginner to advanced.

Once mastered, the software’s capabilities make this initial learning curve worthwhile.

2. Limited Free Trial

LightBurn offers a 30-day free trial, which helps get a feel for the software. However, for users who are brand new to laser cutting and engraving, 30 days might not be enough time to explore all of the software’s features fully.

However, LightBurn as a company are big on user experience, and are often willing to extend trial periods, whereas some alternative software don’t offer a free trial at all.

3. Compatibility Issues with Certain Machines

Although LightBurn boasts broad compatibility with many laser machines, there can still be issues with certain less common models, particularly older models or lesser-known brands.

Users may need to check their machine’s compatibility before committing to the software, which can be an inconvenience if their machine isn’t supported out of the box.

4. Lack of Cloud-Based Features

Unlike some modern laser software, LightBurn does not offer cloud-based features or storage at the time of writing.

This means that all projects and settings are stored locally on the user’s computer. While this might not be a significant drawback for everyone, users who prefer cloud storage for their laser projects may find this limitation frustrating.

A cloud-based solution would allow easier collaboration between team members who work in different locations.

Our Honest Review of LightBurn Software

At HPC Laser, we’ve worked with numerous laser packages over the years, and LightBurn stands out for several reasons which is why we recommend it for all of our laser cutters.

It’s a versatile, robust, and intuitive software that caters to both newcomers and experienced users in the laser cutting and engraving world.

Design Flexibility and Control

One of the major strengths of LightBurn is the design flexibility it offers. Users can create and edit designs directly within the software, which is a significant advantage over more limited programs that require importing completed designs from external software.

LightBurn supports a wide array of design formats, not least common vector graphic formats like AI, SVG, and DXF. This versatility means that whether you’re working on a simple engraving or a complex image with multiple layers, LightBurn can handle the job.

The software’s node editing feature is particularly useful for fine-tuning designs.

You can adjust curves, lines, and points with precision, allowing for intricate modifications that would otherwise require more advanced design software.

Additionally, the text editing capabilities are robust, providing a variety of font options, spacing controls, and alignment tools that make it easy to integrate text into your designs.

Advanced Tools for Professional Users

LightBurn isn’t just for hobbyists; it offers a range of advanced features that professionals will appreciate.

The support for multi-layer operations is indispensable, enabling users to assign a host of different settings to various layers of a design. This is particularly beneficial when working on projects that require different cutting depths or engraving intensities within the same design.

Another powerful tool is the array function, which allows users to duplicate objects/shapes in a grid or radial pattern efficiently. This is incredibly useful for mass production or when you need to create repeated patterns with exact spacing.

The software also includes Boolean operations (union, subtract, intersect), which are essential for combining or editing shapes in a design, offering greater creative control.

Material Library and Preset Management

LightBurn’s Material Library is a standout feature that significantly enhances workflow efficiency.

This library allows users to store and manage presets for different materials and operations. By selecting the appropriate entry from the library, users can automatically apply the best settings for cutting or engraving, reducing the guesswork and ensuring consistent results.

This feature is particularly beneficial for businesses that work with a variety of materials, such as wood, acrylic, metal, and more.

The ability to quickly apply presets streamlines production processes, making LightBurn an invaluable tool for commercial operations.

Job Management and Real-Time Monitoring

LightBurn offers excellent job management capabilities for users managing multiple projects or complex jobs. The software allows users to save and organize project files, making it easy to retrieve and rerun previous jobs.

This is particularly useful in a production environment where repeatability and efficiency are crucial.

In addition to job management, LightBurn provides real-time control and monitoring during the cutting or engraving process. The software’s Preview mode shows the laser path and simulates the job before it starts, which helps in identifying potential issues and optimising settings.

This feature can save both time and materials by preventing errors before they occur.

Moreover, the camera integration feature allows users to visually align their designs with the material on the workbed.

This feature is particularly useful for precise positioning and when working with scrap material, ensuring that cuts and engravings are perfectly aligned every time.

Ease of Use and Software Installation

Despite its extensive range of features, LightBurn remains incredibly user-friendly. The intuitive interface is designed to minimize the learning curve, even for those new to laser cutting and engraving. The lay]out is clean, with well-organized menus and clearly labelled tools, making it easy to navigate through the software.

Installation is straightforward, with the software supporting Windows, macOS, and Linux. Although, it is worth noting that Linux support will, unfortunately, be ending as of release version 1.7.

The software installation process is quick, and the software integrates seamlessly with most laser machines, particularly those that use Ruida, Trocen, or GRBL controllers.

This broad device connection capability ensures that users can get up and running with minimal hassle.

Affordability and Value for Money

In terms of pricing, LightBurn offers great value for money. The software is available as a one-time purchase (or with a yearly cost to receive the latest updates), which is a more affordable option compared to subscription-based software that can become costly over time.

Given the extensive features and regular updates provided by the LightBurn team, the price point is very reasonable.

LightBurn also offers a free 30-day trial, allowing time for users to explore the software’s various functions and form a better decision on whether it’s the right fit for their needs.

For many users, the investment in LightBurn pays off quickly through the time and material savings in its features.

Areas for Improvement

While LightBurn excels in many areas, there are a few aspects where it could be improved.

The main area for potential improvement is the integration of cloud-based features.

Currently, LightBurn stores all projects and settings locally, which can be a limitation for users who prefer to access their files from multiple devices or locations.

Introducing cloud storage or a cloud-based version of the software could enhance its appeal, particularly for businesses that require flexible, mobile access to their design files.

Conclusion

In conclusion, LightBurn software offers a robust set of tools for anyone involved in laser cutting and engraving. Its strengths lie in its versatility, user-friendly interface, and advanced features, making it suitable for a broad spectrum of users.

While it does have some limitations, such as the potential learning curve for beginners and the lack of cloud-based features, its overall value is undeniable.

At HPC Laser, we stand by the quality and capabilities of LightBurn, and we believe it complements our laser-cutting machines perfectly.

If you’re considering upgrading your current software or are new to laser engraving, we encourage you to give LightBurn a try. Its powerful features and affordable pricing make it a worthwhile investment for any laser enthusiast.

For more information about LightBurn and how it works with the HPC laser range of machines, feel free to contact the team today.

We’re always here to help you make the most of your laser equipment.