Before You Engrave: This One Low-Power Layer Could Save Your Project

Laser engravers often come with a “frame” feature to outline your design before engraving. However, this feature isn’t always perfect. Below is a straightforward workaround to help you reliably preview the exact outline of your work.

1. Introduction

If you’ve ever tried using your machine’s built-in frame feature, you know it can be hit or miss. Sometimes the laser only approximates the edges, and you don’t get a true sense of where the final engraving will appear on your material.

2. Why It’s Sometimes Unreliable

Framing Flat Objects Only: Many lasers are designed for flat surfaces and won’t adapt well to curved items or rotary attachments.
One-Size-Fits-All Approach: The default frame often outlines the entire design, which is overkill if you only want to check a small portion—like a logo or existing element on your piece.

3. The Workaround

Instead of relying on the built-in frame feature, draw a simple box around your design within LightBurn. Set its power very low (around 3%), so that it only turns the laser on, as a laser pointer, as it runs over the surface. By doing this, you get a precise preview of the area without risking damage to the material.

4. Layer Setup in LightBurn

Create a new layer for your outline box.
Place it at the top of your layer list so it runs first.
Double-check that the speed and power values are low enough to avoid visible marks (3% power is often sufficient, but test and adjust as needed).
Once this faint box is complete, your main engraving layers will run as normal. Hit stop to interrupt the job.

5. Advantages

Precise Preview: You see exactly where your final engraving will appear.
Reduced Material Waste: No more guessing and missing the target, which saves both time and material.
Flexible for Curved Surfaces: You can draw the outline just where you need it, helpful for rotary or oddly shaped items.

6. Closing Thoughts

This method is a quick and easy way to ensure your design lands precisely where you want it. Experiment with different low-power settings to find the sweet spot that offers enough visibility without leaving permanent marks. You’ll gain confidence in each step of the engraving process and spend less time worrying about misalignment.

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