How to Use LaserBurn: Complete Guide to Longer's Laser Software

Introduction

LaserBurn is the proprietary laser control and design software developed by Longer for their line of diode laser engravers, including the popular Ray5 series (5W, 10W, 20W), Nano series, and B1 models. Unlike third-party alternatives such as LightBurn or LaserGRBL, LaserBurn is purpose-built for Longer hardware with plug-and-play connectivity, native camera support, built-in parameter libraries for Longer-tested materials, and seamless Wi-Fi connectivity on compatible models. This guide covers the complete LaserBurn workflow from first-time setup through advanced production techniques. You will learn how to install and connect to your Longer laser, navigate the interface, create and import designs, configure engraving and cutting operations, use the camera for precise positioning, manage material settings, and apply professional workflow tips to produce consistent, high-quality results.

What You Need

• LaserBurn software (free download from Longer's website or included USB drive)
• A Longer laser engraver (Ray5, Nano, B1, or compatible model)
• Windows PC (macOS support varies by version)
• USB cable or Wi-Fi network (for wireless-capable models)
• Material stock and laser safety equipment

Step 1: Download and Install LaserBurn

1. Visit the Longer website or use the USB drive included with your laser
2. Download the latest version of LaserBurn for your operating system
3. Run the installer and follow the on-screen prompts
4. Complete the installation and launch LaserBurn
5. When prompted, allow LaserBurn through Windows Firewall for network connectivity

Note: LaserBurn receives regular updates. Check for updates monthly through Help > Check for Updates to access the latest features and bug fixes.

Step 2: Connect to Your Longer Laser

LaserBurn supports both USB and Wi-Fi connections. USB is the most reliable method for long jobs, while Wi-Fi offers convenient wireless operation.

USB Connection

1. Power on your Longer laser engraver
2. Connect the USB cable from your PC to the laser controller
3. In LaserBurn, click the Device dropdown in the top toolbar
4. Select your laser model from the auto-detected list
5. If your model does not appear, click Add Device and select it manually from the Longer device list
6. Click Connect

Wi-Fi Connection (Wi-Fi Enabled Models Only)

1. Power on the laser and ensure it is connected to your local Wi-Fi network
2. In LaserBurn, click the connection dropdown and select Wi-Fi
3. Click Search Devices to discover lasers on your network
4. Select your laser from the discovered devices list
5. Click Connect

Wi-Fi troubleshooting: Ensure your PC and laser are on the same 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network. Some lasers do not support 5 GHz networks. If the laser is not discovered, find its IP address on the laser's LCD display and enter it manually in the IP address field.

Step 3: Understanding the LaserBurn Interface

The LaserBurn workspace is organized into distinct functional areas:

Main Toolbar

Located at the top, the toolbar provides quick access to file operations, undo/redo, zoom controls, view modes (Preview/Design), device connection status, and the Start/Pause/Stop job controls.

Left Tool Panel

• Select Tool: Move and resize objects on the canvas
• Rectangle: Draw rectangular shapes for cutting or engraving
• Ellipse: Draw circles and ovals
• Polygon: Draw multi-sided shapes with configurable sides
• Text Tool: Add text with font selection, sizing, and styling
• Node Edit: Modify vector paths by editing individual points
• Measure Tool: Measure distances on the canvas

Center Canvas

The main design area where you create, import, and arrange artwork. The grid can be toggled on/off and its spacing adjusted. The coordinate system shows position in millimeters. The ruler along the top and left edges helps with sizing and alignment.

Right Property Panel

Context-sensitive settings that change based on the selected object or tool:

• Position and Size: Exact X/Y coordinates, width, height, and rotation
• Layer Assignment: Which processing layer the object belongs to
• Fill/Stroke Options: Engrave fill, outline stroke, or both
• Text Properties: Font, size, bold, italic, letter spacing

Bottom Layer Panel

The layer management area where you define up to multiple independent processing layers, each with its own power, speed, and operation mode. Layers are color-coded and can be toggled visible/independent or output enabled/disabled.

Console Panel

Displays real-time communication between LaserBurn and your laser, including G-code commands, status messages, and error reports. Advanced users can send manual G-code commands through the console input line.

Step 4: Creating Designs in LaserBurn

LaserBurn includes a capable set of built-in design tools for creating artwork directly in the software.

Drawing Basic Shapes

1. Select the Rectangle, Ellipse, or Polygon tool from the left panel
2. Click and drag on the canvas to draw the shape
3. Hold Shift while dragging to constrain proportions (perfect square or circle)
4. Use the Position and Size panel on the right to enter exact dimensions
5. Shapes can be combined using Boolean operations (Add, Subtract, Intersect) via the Tools menu

Adding and Formatting Text

1. Click the Text Tool in the left panel
2. Click on the canvas where you want the text to appear
3. Type your text in the floating text box
4. In the right panel, select your font from the dropdown (all installed system fonts are available)
5. Set the text size in millimeters or points
6. Enable Bold or Italic as needed
7. Adjust letter spacing and line spacing for fine-tuning
8. Click outside the text box to finalize

Text tips: For best engraving results, use clean sans-serif fonts (Arial, Helvetica, Roboto) at sizes of 6mm or larger. Convert text to paths (Right-click > Convert to Path) if you need to edit individual letter shapes or send the file to a different computer that may not have the same fonts installed.

Importing External Files

LaserBurn supports importing artwork from multiple file formats:

• SVG: Scalable Vector Graphics, ideal for logos and line art
• DXF: AutoCAD format, common for engineering drawings
• PNG/JPG/BMP: Raster images for photo engraving
• PDF: Multi-page documents import as separate layers

1. File > Import or drag and drop files onto the canvas
2. For images, LaserBurn opens the Image Processing dialog
3. For vectors, imported objects appear on the canvas and can be edited like native shapes

Step 5: Image Processing for Photo Engraving

LaserBurn's image processing engine converts raster photos into laser-ready toolpaths using multiple conversion algorithms.

Loading an Image

1. File > Import Image or drag a photo onto the canvas
2. The Image Processing dialog opens automatically
3. Select your desired processing mode:

Processing Modes

Grayscale Mode: The laser power varies proportionally to image darkness. Dark areas receive full power while light areas receive minimal power. Best for materials with good burn contrast like wood and leather. Requires slower speeds for the power modulation to be visible.

Dithering Mode: Converts the image into a pattern of dots, similar to newspaper printing. The density of dots creates the illusion of shades. This mode produces excellent results on materials that do not respond well to variable power. Options include:

• Jarvis: Smooth gradients, ideal for portraits
• Floyd-Steinberg: Sharp detail, best for high-contrast images
• Stucki: Balanced quality with less visible patterning
• Halftone: Circular dot pattern, artistic retro effect

Threshold Mode: Converts the image to pure black and white based on a brightness threshold. Everything darker than the threshold becomes black; everything lighter becomes white. Best for high-contrast logos and stamps.

Edge Mode: Detects and traces the edges in the image, creating a line-art effect. Useful for sketch-style engravings and outlines.

Image Processing Settings

• DPI (Dots Per Inch): Higher DPI produces finer detail but increases job time significantly. 254 DPI (0.1mm line interval) is a good balance. 318 DPI for very fine work, 200 DPI for faster results.
• Brightness: Adjust overall image brightness before processing
• Contrast: Increase for more punch, decrease for softer tones
• Gamma: Adjusts midtones without affecting pure black or white. Lower gamma darkens midtones; higher gamma lightens them.
• Sharpen: Enhances edge definition, useful for slightly blurry photos
• Negative: Inverts the image (useful for materials where the engraved area stays light)

1. Adjust settings and preview the result in real-time
2. Click Apply to generate the toolpath on the canvas

Step 6: Layer Configuration and Operation Modes

Layers are the core of LaserBurn's workflow. Each layer defines how its assigned objects are processed by the laser.

Assigning Objects to Layers

1. Select an object on the canvas
2. In the right panel, click the layer color swatch
3. Choose a layer color from the palette
4. The object is now assigned to that layer

Configuring Layer Settings

Double-click a layer in the bottom panel to open its settings:

Operation Mode

• Line: Traces the outline of vector shapes. Used for cutting through material or clean line engraving. Sets the laser power and speed for the outline path only.
• Fill: Fills the interior of closed shapes with parallel scan lines. Used for solid area engraving, text, and filled shapes. Configurable scan angle (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal).
• Fill+Line: Combines both operations: first fills the interior, then traces the outline for a clean edge. Ideal for text and logos that need solid fill with crisp borders.
• Offset Fill: Fills by tracing progressively inward from the outline, creating a spiral-like fill pattern. Reduces the number of direction changes compared to standard fill.

Speed and Power Settings

• Speed (mm/min): How fast the laser head moves. Higher speeds for light engraving, lower speeds for deep cutting. Typical range: 100-10,000 mm/min depending on power and material.
• Max Power (%): Maximum laser power output (0-100%). Start with conservative values and increase based on test results.
• Min Power (%): Minimum power used at start/stop and corners. For clean vector cuts, set Min Power equal to Max Power. For engraving, Min Power can be lower to reduce over-burning at direction changes.

Advanced Layer Options

• Pass Count: Number of times the laser repeats the same path. Essential for cutting thicker materials. Increase passes rather than power for cleaner cuts on materials like acrylic and plywood.
• Z-Step per Pass: If your laser has motorized Z-axis, the bed lowers by this amount after each pass, keeping the focal point at the optimal cutting depth.
• Scan Angle: Direction of fill lines (0 degrees = horizontal, 90 = vertical). Use 0 for most work. Change to 45 or 90 for specific grain effects on wood.
• Bi-Directional: When enabled, the laser engraves in both directions (left-to-right and right-to-left), cutting job time in half. Disable if you notice quality differences between scan directions.
• Cross-Hatch: Runs the fill pattern twice at perpendicular angles. Creates a woven texture and more uniform fill at the cost of doubling engraving time.
• Overcut: Extends cut lines slightly past corners to ensure complete cutting at direction changes. Useful for materials with fibers that resist cutting at corners (plywood, MDF).
• Kerf Offset: Adjusts the cut path inward or outward to compensate for the laser beam width. Positive values shift the cut outward (larger part), negative values shift inward (tighter fit for inlays).

Step 7: Camera Alignment and Visual Positioning

Longer lasers with built-in cameras (and some models with optional camera modules) support LaserBurn's visual positioning system for precise artwork placement.

Setting Up the Camera

1. Connect the camera module to your laser (if not built-in)
2. In LaserBurn, go to Camera > Camera Setup
3. Select your camera from the detected devices list
4. Follow the calibration wizard:

• Place a piece of paper with the printed calibration pattern on the bed
• Click the calibration points in order as prompted
• LaserBurn calculates the perspective transform between camera view and laser coordinates

1. Save the calibration profile for your laser

Using Camera View for Positioning

1. Click the Camera button to switch the canvas to live camera view
2. Place your material on the bed
3. The live camera feed shows your material overlaid with the design
4. Drag your design to position it exactly where you want it on the material
5. Use the Trace feature to outline your design at low power to verify position
6. Click Start to begin the job with confidence

Camera tips: Recalibrate if you move the camera or laser. Lighting affects camera accuracy: use consistent, even lighting. The camera view is most accurate at the bed surface; accuracy decreases at different heights.

Step 8: Material Parameter Library

LaserBurn includes a built-in material library with pre-tested settings for Longer lasers. These are starting points that should be fine-tuned for your specific machine and material batch.

Accessing the Material Library

1. Click the Material Library button in the toolbar
2. Browse categories: Wood, Acrylic, Leather, Metal, Fabric, Paper, etc.
3. Select a material and thickness to see recommended settings
4. Click Apply to Layer to transfer settings to the active layer

Material Settings Overview

Basswood Plywood (3mm):

• Cut: 600 mm/min at 90% power, 1-2 passes
• Engrave: 3000 mm/min at 40% power, Fill mode
• Deep Engrave: 1500 mm/min at 60% power, Fill mode

Basswood Plywood (5mm):

• Cut: 400 mm/min at 90% power, 2-3 passes
• Engrave: 3000 mm/min at 40% power, Fill mode

Cast Acrylic (3mm, white/opaque):

• Cut: 400 mm/min at 90% power, 1 pass
• Engrave: 2000 mm/min at 30% power, Fill mode

Cast Acrylic (5mm):

• Cut: 300 mm/min at 90% power, 2 passes
• Engrave: 2000 mm/min at 30% power, Fill mode

Vegetable-Tanned Leather (2mm):

• Cut: 800 mm/min at 70% power, 1-2 passes
• Engrave: 4000 mm/min at 35% power, Fill mode

MDF (3mm):

• Cut: 500 mm/min at 85% power, 1-2 passes
• Engrave: 3500 mm/min at 35% power, Fill mode

Anodized Aluminum:

• Mark: 1000 mm/min at 80% power, Line mode (removes anodized layer)

Stainless Steel (with marking spray):

• Mark: 800 mm/min at 90% power, Fill mode

Cardboard:

• Cut: 2000 mm/min at 50% power, 1 pass
• Engrave: 5000 mm/min at 25% power, Fill mode

Fabric (cotton canvas):

• Cut: 3000 mm/min at 50% power, 1 pass
• Engrave: 6000 mm/min at 30% power, Fill mode

Glass (with CerMark or dry moly):

• Mark: 800 mm/min at 90% power, Fill mode
• Apply marking compound, engrave, wash off residue

Creating Custom Material Presets

1. In the Material Library, click Add Custom Material
2. Enter the material name and thickness
3. Input your tested speed, power, pass count, and operation mode
4. Add notes about source, batch, or special considerations
5. Save to your personal library for future use

Testing protocol: Always run a test grid before committing to a full job. Create a small grid of squares at varying power (10% increments) and speed (500 mm/min increments) on scrap material. Label the back of the test piece with a Sharpie and keep it as a reference.

Step 9: Job Preparation and Execution

Setting the Work Origin

1. Jog the laser head to your desired starting position using the jog controls
2. Use the Frame function to trace the bounding box of your design
3. Adjust the position until the outline aligns with your material
4. Click Set Origin to define the work zero point

Focusing the Laser

Proper focus is critical for clean cuts and sharp engravings:

1. Place your material on the bed
2. Use the included focus gauge or acrylic spacer that came with your Longer laser
3. Jog the Z-axis (or manually adjust the laser module) until the gauge just fits between the nozzle and material surface
4. For multi-thickness jobs, focus at the midpoint of the material thickness

Advanced focusing: Some Longer models support auto-focus through LaserBurn. Enable it in Device Settings and the laser will automatically measure and set focus before each job.

Preview and Simulation

1. Click the Preview button to see the complete toolpath simulation
2. The preview shows travel moves (blue) and active engraving/cutting (white/red)
3. Check the estimated job time in the status bar
4. Verify toolpaths cover the intended areas
5. Look for unnecessary travel moves that could be optimized

Starting the Job

1. Ensure your material is secure and will not shift during the job
2. Wear laser safety glasses rated for your laser wavelength (typically 450nm blue for diode lasers)
3. Ensure adequate ventilation or exhaust is running
4. Never leave a running laser unattended
5. Click Start to begin processing

During the Job

• The progress bar shows completion percentage and elapsed time
• The live preview highlights the current position
• Click Pause to halt the job (can be resumed from the same position)
• Click Stop to abort the job completely (cannot resume)
• Real-time overrides: adjust power and speed mid-job using the slider controls

Step 10: Advanced Techniques

Multi-Layer Projects

Complex projects use multiple layers with different settings:

1. Create your design with elements on different layer colors
2. Configure each layer with appropriate mode and settings
3. Example: Layer 1 (red) = deep cut at low speed/high power; Layer 2 (blue) = light engrave at high speed/low power; Layer 3 (green) = outline trace
4. Toggle layers on/off to process one operation at a time
5. Use layer ordering to control processing sequence

3D Relief Engraving

1. Import a grayscale heightmap image (darker = deeper engraving)
2. Process the image in Grayscale mode
3. Set appropriate power range: Min Power for lightest areas, Max Power for darkest
4. Use lower DPI (150-200) for faster processing; finer DPI for smoother gradients
5. Use Offset Fill mode for smoother surface finish on curved reliefs

Inlay and Stamp Making

1. Design your inlay with mating parts: the pocket and the insert
2. For the pocket: use Kerf Offset with a negative value to make the pocket slightly larger
3. For the insert: use Kerf Offset with a positive value to make it slightly smaller
4. Test fit on scrap material and adjust offset values
5. A typical starting offset is 0.05-0.1mm per side depending on material and laser beam width

Batch Production with Jigs

1. Create a jig from cardboard or thin plywood with cutouts for your parts
2. Secure the jig to the bed with tape or magnets
3. Use the camera or manual positioning to align your design with the jig
4. Load parts into the jig and run the job
5. Swap parts and repeat without re-aligning

Rotary Engraving (With Rotary Attachment)

1. Connect the rotary attachment to your Longer laser
2. In LaserBurn, enable Rotary Mode in Device Settings
3. Enter your rotary parameters: roller diameter, object diameter, steps per rotation
4. The Y-axis is remapped to rotary motion; X remains linear
5. Position your cylindrical object and set origin
6. Design within the unwrapped circumference (pi * diameter) by your object length
7. Run the job as normal; LaserBurn handles the rotary coordination

Step 11: Firmware and Device Management

Firmware Updates

1. LaserBurn can update your laser's firmware directly through the software
2. Go to Device > Firmware Update
3. LaserBurn checks for available updates for your model
4. Follow the prompts to download and flash the latest firmware
5. Do not disconnect power or USB during the update process

GRBL Settings Access

1. Go to Device > GRBL Settings (or Machine Settings)
2. View and edit GRBL parameters in a convenient table format
3. Key settings to know:

• $30: Maximum spindle speed (typically 1000, defines PWM range)
• $31: Minimum spindle speed (typically 0)
• $32: Laser mode (must be 1 for laser operation)
• $100, $101: Steps per mm for X and Y axes
• $110, $111: Maximum feed rate for X and Y
• $120, $121: Acceleration for X and Y
• $130, $131: Maximum travel distance (bed size)

1. Always document original values before changing settings

Backup and Restore Settings

1. Go to Device > Export Settings to save your complete configuration
2. Save the file for backup or to replicate settings on another machine
3. Use Device > Import Settings to restore or transfer configurations

Step 12: Troubleshooting

Laser Not Connecting

• Verify the USB cable is securely connected and try a different cable
• Check Windows Device Manager for the COM port; install CH340 drivers if needed
• Ensure no other software (LightBurn, LaserGRBL, CNCjs) is using the same COM port
• Power cycle the laser and restart LaserBurn
• Try a different USB port, preferably USB 2.0 (some CH340 chips have issues with USB 3.0)

Incomplete Cuts or Insufficient Engraving Depth

• Verify the laser is properly focused at the material surface
• Clean the laser lens with isopropyl alcohol and a cotton swab
• Increase power or decrease speed in 10% increments
• Add additional passes rather than cranking power
• Check that your material is flat and not warped
• Verify the air assist is functioning if equipped

Engraving is Blurry or Out of Focus

• Re-focus the laser using the focus gauge
• Check that the lens is clean and free of debris
• Verify the material surface is flat (use tape or weights to hold down warped stock)
• Reduce speed for cleaner edges
• Check belt tension: loose belts cause vibration and wobble

Misalignment or Skewed Results

• Check that the laser gantry is square to the frame
• Verify wheels and rails are clean and properly tensioned
• Check belt tension on both X and Y axes
• Run a squareness test: engrave a large square and measure diagonals
• Verify GRBL steps/mm settings ($100, $101) are correct for your machine

Burn Marks on the Underside of Material

• This is called "flashback" and occurs when the laser reflects off the bed
• Use a honeycomb bed or pin bed to minimize contact area
• Place scrap material underneath as a sacrificial layer
• Reduce power or increase speed slightly

Job Stops Midway or Communication Errors

• Use a high-quality, shielded USB cable with a ferrite choke
• Disable USB selective suspend in Windows Power Options
• Keep USB cable away from power cables and motors
• Close unnecessary applications to free up system resources
• Check that your PC is not entering sleep mode during long jobs

Pro Tips for LaserBurn Users

• Always run a test burn on scrap material before your final piece, especially with new materials
• Keep a logbook of settings for each material with notes on source, thickness, and results
• Use painter's tape on wood surfaces before engraving to prevent smoke staining; peel off after
• Apply cutting wax or oil to wood after engraving to make details pop and protect the surface
• Run at 80-85% max power for daily use to extend diode laser lifespan
• Use air assist for cleaner cuts and reduced charring on wood and acrylic
• Stack thin materials and cut multiple sheets simultaneously to increase throughput
• Engrave before cutting on the same piece to prevent parts shifting after being cut loose
• Use the Preview function religiously to catch errors before committing material
• Save project files (.lbk) with all layers and settings so you can reproduce jobs exactly
• Update firmware regularly to access new features and performance improvements
• Join the Longer community on Facebook or Discord to share settings and get help

Conclusion

LaserBurn is a powerful, purpose-built control platform for Longer laser engravers that bridges the gap between beginner-friendly operation and professional production capability. By mastering its layer system, image processing tools, camera positioning, and material library, you can produce consistent, high-quality engravings and cuts across a wide range of materials. The key to success is systematic testing: maintain a material settings log, always run test burns on scrap, and refine your parameters based on results. With the techniques in this guide, your Longer laser becomes a precision production tool capable of producing everything from personalized gifts to sellable products.