This page focuses on the features of the LaserPecker Design Space (LDS) and How to operate a LaserPecker machine using the LDS software.
1. Introduction to LDS Software Operation, Interface, & Functions
1.1 Initial Interface
1.2 LDS Workspace Interface
Click "Click to create new file" to enter the Workspace operation interface.
1.3 Connect Devices
When a laser is not connected, the unconnected device is displayed in the upper right of the workspace. Click the unconnected device button to establish communication between software-controlled hardware devices; It currently supports serial port (USB) and Bluetooth connection communication.
USB-connected devices:
Bluetooth-connected device:
1. Connection requires a Bluetooth dongle to connect.
2. Do not connect the USB cable during the Bluetooth connection.
1.4 Function Options
Open local project files, export functions, and software infrastructure settings, and jump to the [Help] page.
1.5 Toolbar
Located on the left border of the main interface, its main functional button provides users with a series of patterns to quickly design when making graphics. Such as brushes, rectangles, hearts, etc.,
Pen
Click the icon to enter the "pen tool". You can also use the shortcut key [P] to activate it, and press the [ESC] key to exit. With the "pen tool", you can draw vector shapes and paths.
Brush
Click the icon to enter the "brush tool". You can also use the shortcut key [B] to activate it, and press the [ESC] key to exit. With the "brush tool", you can draw lines or patterns.
Image
Click to import an image, or drag and drop images directly onto the canvas using your mouse. Currently, LDS supports G-Code, JPG, PNG, BMP, SVG, DXF, Vector, and more formats.
Text, QR code & barcode
Click the icon to use the "text function". In addition to adding text, this function can also generate QR codes and barcodes. To edit the content of a QR code or barcode, simply double-click the target to open the editing box.
Line
The "Line tool" can create straight lines as well as various shapes, including rectangles, circles, polygons, stars, and hearts.
Press and hold the [shift] key to generate an equilateral graph, for example:
1.6 Edit bar
Located in the upper position, its main functional button is convenient for users to edit the size, flip, offset, intersection, and other functions of the pattern when making graphics.
Undo or Redo
Undo: When the user makes a mistake or deletes it by mistake, you can use this button to return to the previous operation.
Redo: Contrary to Undo, when there are too many undo times, you can use this button to return to the previous step of undo.
Offset
Generate a new image of the target according to the set offset. The offset can be set by pressing the button or entering the offset through the text box.
Fill
You can fill the selected closed vector graphic to generate a black-and-white image. Click repeatedly to cancel the filling:
Batch Creation
At present, rectangular array and circular array are supported.
Grouping and Ungrouping
Grouping allows multiple elements to be grouped into the same group for easy selection and movement. Ungrouping splits a group of elements into separate elements.
Alignment
You can use this function to align some elements that need to be aligned. The alignment methods are: left alignment, vertical alignment, right alignment, upper alignment, centered text, lower alignment, center alignment, horizontal alignment, and vertical alignment.
Merge
Perform Boolean operations on the selected graphics to customize the creation of new elements.
Functions include: merging graphics, excluding top levels, intersection of graphics, and exclusion of intersection.
Flip
Elements can be flipped, such as mirroring files. Features include: horizontal flip, vertical flip.
Modify the Size
You can change the size of the element, enter it in a text box, or add or subtract using controls. The width-height ratio is fixed in the locked state, and the width or height can be modified separately in the non-locked state.
Rotation
You can rotate the selected element from 0 to 359 degrees, enter it in a text box, or add or subtract it through the control.
Location
You can enter coordinate positions to customize the position of the pattern on the canvas. Text boxes can be entered, and controls can be added or subtracted.
Rasterization
When the engraving task has multiple elements that need to be transmitted together, the object can be rasterized, and the multiple elements can be changed to one element for transmission laser engraving to improve efficiency.
Select the element, then right-click and select Rasterize to generate.
This feature is not supported for dither charts!
Curved Text & Padding
After entering the text, you can perform text ring processing. Click the text to be edited, and you can see the tool in the toolbar above. Click to bring up the control bar, and drag to adjust according to the direction you want.
After using this function, sometimes it will exceed the editing box area. In order to avoid the missing phenomenon of engraving, you need to use the [inner margin] function to adjust the editing box, and you need to completely wrap the engraving elements.
Image Editing
Insert a picture. If you need to edit it, you can select the picture and open the editing function. The functions include cropping, automatic trimming, eraser, magic eraser, etc. You can use the tool to edit according to your own needs. After editing, you need to click [OK] to save the editing result.
2. The Engraving Mode and Accessories Supported by LDS
The default mode is flat-surface engraving.
After connecting the machine, select the connection accessories in the upper right corner of the device information of the main interface to use the Versatile Electric Roller, Rotary Extension, and Slide Extension.
Learn more details about engraving mode and accessories available for LaserPecker machines.
2.1 Slab Mode
2.2 Cylindrical Mode
2.3 Trolley Mode
2.4 Rotary Extension Mode
2.5 Slide Extension Mode
2.6 Slide Extension Multi-File Mode
2.7 Free Mode
Attention :
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If there is no connection between the protective cover and your LaserPecker machine, you can open the free mode to preview and laser engraving. otherwise, the machine would not work.
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If you open the protective cover during the laser engraving process, the equipment will pause. To continue engraving, you need to close the protective cover, and then click the [Continue] button.
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After connecting to the protective cover, you need to check whether the cover door is closed, and then preview and start laser engraving.
2.8 Reverse Engraving Mode
Currently supports LP2 and LP3, and can be engraved in the opposite direction after opening.
2.9 Batch Engraving Button
To activate the batch engraving function, connect the button accessories. Once connected, the function will be enabled, allowing you to control and preview previously engraved history files using the buttons.
3. The Engraving Settings - "Preview"
3.1 Canvas Maximum Size
After connecting the device, a red box appears on the interface, which means that the maximum size in this mode is the size of the box. For example, connect LP4:
3.2 Actual Laser engraving Area
After connecting the device, the blue box appears on the interface, which means that in this mode, the blue box is the valid preview and laser engraving position.
If there is no blue box, it will overlap with the red box, that is, the area of the drawing board is equivalent to the effective preview and laser engraving position.
1. If the edited pattern is too large, it will cause the preview to be impossible, and it will prompt that the maximum range is exceeded, and you need to modify the size by yourself.
2. The maximum size preview in normal mode may cause slight deformation of the preview box, but it does not affect the laser engraving.
3.3 Preview Interface
When the pattern is designed for preview, the overall interface is like this; when the layer graphic is selected, the preview box of the engraving machine is the size of the graphic. If you click on the blank space of the canvas, the preview box is the maximum preview.
Graphics in the layer can be dragged to the position. When the auxiliary lines are checked, there will be auxiliary lines to help align the graphics when dragging.
After dragging the graphic to move, the position of the preview box will also move accordingly.
When the preview moves the pattern beyond the engraving area, there will be a prompt message, and the preview laser will also become the preview canvas area, just move the pattern into the frame.
4. The Engraving Settings - "Laser Engraving"
4.1 Laser Engraved Layer
Each pattern or line will generate a layer, click [eye] to hide the layer, and skip the layer when laser sculpting.
Click on the laser engraving layer to see the types of laser engraving patterns, which are line, fill, and image. You can customize the parameters of each laser engraving type (resolution, power, depth, number of times...).
4.2 Adjust the Focus
The height of the focal length is controlled by the bracket, the height can be controlled by the buttons on the top of the bracket, or the lifting height of the bracket can be controlled in the preview interface.
The [Red light always on] function can be turned on to assist with focusing. When the two red dots meet and overlap, the focal length for laser engraving is optimally set.
4.3 Laser Engraving Settings
Before starting laser engraving, you need to confirm whether the parameters are set correctly and whether they are the parameters of the laser engraving layer. You can choose the pattern in the drawing board to set. The right side of the following figure is the setting option.
4.4 Start Laser Engraving
You can preview to determine the location of the laser engraving, and then click [Next] to start engraving.
If there is no need to confirm the engraving position, you can also directly click [laser engraving] for laser engraving.
Wait for the Progress Bar to reach 100% and the laser engraving is complete!
1. Avoid foreign objects blocking the laser during the laser engraving process, affecting the laser engraving effect.
2. Do not disconnect the machine connection during data transmission, causing the transmission task to fail and unable to start the laser engraving task.
3. Keep the machine powered on normally during the laser engraving process. It is recommended to check whether the adapter is correct before laser engraving.
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