What App Should I Use With Laser Engraver? You might think that you can download any app when it comes to laser engraving, but this isn’t necessarily true. For starters, apps for iPhone and Android aren’t compatible with lasers, so you need an iPad or Android tablet.
There are also different apps for different kinds of laser engraver machines. Choosing the wrong app could leave you waiting longer than expected for the results you want. In this article, Byboe will show you the Best Software for Laser Engraving of 2023.
Table of Contents
Best Laser Engraving Software of 2021
1. Inkscape
Inkscape is an open-source vector graphics design and editing program. Although it is not a laser cutting software of any kind, it can be used for the ngraving machine, as demonstrated in the video.
The accessible laser engraving software comes with the usual drawing and shape tools. It also offers a variety of object manipulation tools such as transformations and z-order operations, alignment, and distribution commands. You can also edit nodes and modify designs easily to troubleshoot vector problems.
Inkscape uses SVG (scalable vector graphics) as its native format. This is one of Inkscape’s greatest strengths. You can use the commands of Inkscape to create your designs, as they are royalty-free.
LaserGRBL laser engraver software is not available for Inkscape, but it is available on all major desktop platforms, including Mac, Windows, and Linux.
Inkscape’s other advantage is the active user community. You can contribute to the community with your development skills by joining forums, mailing lists, and even a chat. It is seen as the very best laser cutting engraving graphics software.
- Cost: No Charge
- Ideal for: Tinkering with design experiences
2. SolveSpace
SolveSpace laser cutting software is not the easiest to use. It has a simple interface and a steep learning curve. However, if you take the time to learn it, it will offer many useful functions that make it a handy tool.
It has many applications. You can export 2D vector art to a laser cutting machine with gcode toolpaths. This laser engraving software has many impressive features that allow you to do this.
There are many drawing tools, as well as parametric or associative assembly. It allows you to link parts, drag them, merge surfaces with Boolean operations, and link lines and curves for reliable operations.
SolveSpace, which is less than 10MB in size and very quick to download, is another bonus. The CNC laser engraving software lets you export your design directly into SVG. If you are looking for the best design software for laser engraving, you should try it.
- Get a Free Price (best free laser engraving software)
- Ideal for: People who want a laser cutter program with extreme flexibility
3. LaserWeb 4
LaserWeb 4, the fourth version of this program, is free and can be used to control your laser cutter according to your design.
This laser engraving software has a unique feature: you can import multiple files from different formats into one project. It’s flexible and great for collaboration.
It also has a job cost estimator tool that can be used with other laser engraving software. This is an excellent tool for budgeting, which is especially important for hobbyists and beginners.
LaserWeb laser cutting software allows you to control your laser cutter via vector files and raster files. This makes LaserWeb ideal for small and large projects.
You can also customize various aspects of your engraving with many settings, such as the pass depth, cut-rate, smoothing, diameter, and so on.
LeaseWeb laser cutting software is a community that offers tips, modifications, and additions to code. You can also choose free extras to personalize the laser cutting machine software. If you are looking for the best laser engraving software, you should try this control software.
- Created by: Peter van der Walt (Project Coordinator)
- Cost: No Charge (best free software for laser engraving)
- Ideal for: Controlling the laser cutter using your design
4. OnShape
OnShape, a computer-aided 3D modeling tool, is available over the Internet via a laser engraving software as a Service model. Small and medium-sized businesses can now create high-quality design drawings using this cutting-edge tool.
OnShape offers many advantages over other drafting software and tools. OnShape’s tools are simple to use, and the company guarantees that the final product will exceed or meet the customer’s expectations. If you are looking for the best photo laser engraving software, why don’t try it?
- For smartphones and tablets
- Users can create 3D printing files that are error-free
5. DraftSight
SolidWorks 3D modeling software is not your friend, so check out DraftSight 2D laser cutting software from Dassault Systemes. This laser engraving software is geared towards vector drawing 2D drafting, and that’s precisely what lasers require.
DraftSight is a design program that can help you create the perfect image to upload to your laser cutter. An image trace function is a notable feature that converts a BMP, JPEG, or PNG image into vector lines and curves. This makes it much easier to cut existing patterns without going back to the drawing board.
DraftSight laser cutting software offers a hairline option to adjust the line width in your print options. This option is handy for laser cutters as it can be set to the exact size of one laser pass.
A Laser printer can rasterize more comprehensive lines, a series of laser burns that look like pixels. DraftSight allows you to avoid this by creating blurrier lines and a less precise cut around the project’s edges.
- Dassault Systemes
- Cost: $200/year (30-day trial free).
- Ideal for: Sharpening your edges and lines enough to make single cuts
Using these apps will be easier if you know how a laser engraver works or how to use them:
6. TurboCAD
TurboCAD comes from a long line of specialized drafting software and is packed with features that simplify laser cutting. TurboCAD is designed to be a clone of AutoCAD, but it’s far more potent than a cheap copy.
TurboCAD’s Overkill tool eliminates overlapping lines and arcs within a design. This cleans up vector drawings for laser cutting. It can also remove redundancies and track what was changed using its event viewer.
TurboCAD’s PDF Insert/Underlay feature can also be used. You can save a design that you like as a PDF file and then trace it in a TurboCAD project.
The PDF will automatically snap to the right-hand side of your mouse, so you don’t have to worry about holding the cursor steady.
- TurboCAD Design Group created this page.
- TurboCAD Designer 15-day trial for $60
- Ideal for: Cleaning up and copying designs
7. Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Illustrator is the standard for all other design software.
Adobe Illustrator’s Artboards setup is a highlight. This allows you to layout your designs one-to-one so that you can see how they will fit on your material sheets.
You can create as many Artboards in Illustrator as you want within one view. The Adobe illustrator allows you to keep the whole picture in your mind as you design.
Adobe Illustrator is a universally used tool for graphic designers and graphic artists. This gives you an advantage when using it as laser engraving software.
Even if you don’t have any experience with laser cutting, you can learn a few best practices to help you adjust your design to achieve the best laser-cutting results. In no time, you’ll be able to boast about a new skill.
- Cost: $240/year (30-day trial free).
- Ideal for: Creating vector lines illustrations
8. LightBurn
LightBurn laser cutting software is a combination editor and control program. It can import the most common bitmap and vector image formats.
LightBurn allows you to edit, arrange and create new art. Once you are done editing, adjust laser cutting settings such as cutting speed, laser beam power, and several passes.
Then send it to your laser cutter. You should have no problems with it as it supports all laser cutters on the market and most G-code controllers.
- G-code controllers cost $40, DSP controllers cost $80 (free trial for 30 days).
- Ideal for: Handling a wide range of file formats
9. OpenBuilds CAM/Control
OpenBuilds allows hardware designers to collaborate online and share their laser cutting projects. It also sells parts such as motors and CNC bits for DIY machines.
OpenBuilds had two programs for digital fabrication released a few years ago: OpenBuilds Control and OpenBuilds CAM. These tools can be used for milling or laser cutting. The first (CAM) generates Gcode through a web-based program.
Control software is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It can simulate and preview the G-code before sending it through the laser cutter. Both programs can be used on most CNC and laser machines and are free of charge.
- Cost: No Charge (best programs for laser cutting)
- Ideal for: Controlling any laser cutter
10. LaserGRBL
LaserGRBL is a free G-code generator for Windows that allows you to laser cut and laser engrave on the surface. As the name suggests, it is compatible with GRBL (an open-source motion control firmware that can be used on CNC and laser machines).
The software is lightweight and requires no additional hardware except for the OS. The interface is simple and allows for the creation of custom buttons. It also controls and generates G-code to cut and engrave in one program.
LaserGRBL’s vectorization tool is perhaps the most remarkable feature. It can convert pixel images such as JPEG or PNG into a vectorized format.
This process is known as tracing. This powerful tool has spot removal and smoothing features to ensure the best results.
- Cost: No Charge
- Ideal for: Engraving and cutting
What Is the Best Software for Laser Engraving?: Conclusion
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best app for laser engraving will vary depending on the user’s specific needs. However, by looking at the best apps for laser engravers and considering the factors listed above, you can come up with the best laser engraving software.
