After creating an object on the canvas, clicking on it will open the Processing Settings panel on the right. This panel allows you to choose the processing mode and configure all related parameters. This guide will provide a detailed explanation of each processing mode.
Overview of Processing Modes
LDS software provides four processing modes: Line Engraving, Fill Engraving, Line Cutting, and Image Engraving, each designed to achieve different processing effects. It is important to note that the available processing modes depend on the file type of the object, as outlined below:
- Built-in Software Lines & Shapes: Line Engraving, Fill Engraving, Cutting
- Built-in Software Clipart/Graphics: Line Engraving, Fill Engraving, Cutting
- Vector Formats (e.g., G-code, SVG, DXF): Line Engraving, Fill Engraving, Cutting
- Bitmap Image Formats (e.g., JPG, JPEG, PNG, BMP, TIF): Image Engraving
1. Line Engraving
Line Engraving mode follows the outline of the design to create line-based marks on the material surface. This mode produces a thin engraving line and is suitable for creating fine patterns, text, or symbolic markings. The configurable parameters for Line Engraving are Power, Speed, and Passes.
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In Line Engraving mode, using a higher power setting combined with a slower speed can achieve a cutting-like effect on certain materials.
2. Fill Engraving
In Fill Engraving mode, the laser performs a line-by-line scanning engraving over the colored areas of the design. This mode is typically used to create uniform, flat textures or large-area filled effects on the material surface. The configurable parameters for Fill Engraving are Power, Speed, Passes, Engraving Density, and Overscan.
(1) Engraving Density: This parameter sets the number of engraving lines per 10mm.
- Range: 10–300
- Higher density → finer details, longer processing time
- Lower density → faster processing, but possible texture loss or rough finish
(2) Overscan: It helps achieve a more uniform engraving result.
- Left value: Overscan distance (higher speeds require a longer distance)
- Right value: Overscan percentage (higher percentage increases distance, requires more space for the Laser Module movement)
3. Line Cutting
Cutting aims to completely penetrate the material, separating the designed shape from the base material. To achieve effective cutting, it is generally necessary to set a higher power and a slower speed. The configurable parameters for Cutting are Power, Speed, Passes, and the "Lower the Focus" function.
Lower the Focus: When cutting thicker materials, enabling the function can appropriately lower the laser's focal point, focusing the energy within the middle layer of the material.
This creates a more uniform energy density distribution between the top and bottom surfaces of the material, thereby improving the laser's cutting capability.
4. Image Engraving
Image Engraving typically involves converting an image to grayscale and then adjusting the laser's power and engraving depth based on different grayscale values. This finally forms a pattern with light/dark contrasts and rich details on the material surface.
In addition to Engraving Density and Overscan, Image Engraving requires setting the Image Mode (Dithering Algorithm). LDS provides multiple algorithms, including: Grayscale, Jarvis, Burkes, Floyd, Stucki, Atkinson, and Sierra. The default mode is Stucki.