How to Import and Set Up Laser Map Maker Files in LightBurn for Engraving and Cutting

When you export files from Laser Map Maker to LightBurn, each layer comes with its own outside alignment border. These borders are consistent across layers, making it easier to align and cut layers when preparing your laser engraving or cutting job. In this guide, we'll walk you through how to use these files in LightBurn and get your project set up properly for laser cutting and engraving.

Layers Overview

This example uses a classic 3-layer map: Water, Land, and Roads. The exported files will be:

• Land-Cut Layer
• Land-Engrave Layer
• Roads-Cut Layer

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Before You Start!

After exporting from Laser Map Maker, download the zip folder containing the "output" files. Import them one by one into LightBurn (do not import them all at once). A convenient method is dragging them into LightBurn from your desktop. Remember the name of each file for reference.

We recommend using our Starter Template to create a project before proceeding with the steps below.

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Step-by-Step Guide

1. Water Cut Job Setup

For the Water Cut job, we will modify the Land-Cut layer.

• In LightBurn:

• Copy the Land-Cut Layer and ungroup the contents.

• Delete the inside frame of the Land-Cut layer.

• Delete the outside alignment border (this is for alignment, but it should be removed for the Water Cut layer).

Image Reference: Water Cut Layer Example

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2. Land Cut & Engrave Job Setup

For the Land-Cut & Engrave job, align the Land-Cut and Land-Engrave layers and assign different speed and power settings to each.

Assign Colors:

• Land-Cut: Choose a color (e.g., red). This layer needs higher power settings for cutting.
• Land-Engrave: Choose a different color (e.g., blue). This layer requires lower power settings for engraving.

Group the Layers:

Select both Land-Cut and Land-Engrave layers separately and group each of them in LightBurn. This ensures that the two layers stay aligned.

Set Layer Modes:

• Set the Land-Cut layer to Line mode (for cutting).
• Set the Land-Engrave layer to Line mode (we'll change this back to Fill later).

Align Layers:

• Use LightBurn’s align tools to center the two layers relative to each other.

Ungroup Layers:

• After alignment, ungroup the layers.

• Delete the outside alignment border, removing all three alignment lines. Repeat as needed until all borders are gone.

Finalize Layer Settings:

• Set Land-Engrave to Fill Mode (for engraving).
• Ensure Land-Cut is still in Line Mode (for cutting).

Image Reference: Final Layer Settings Example

3. Roads Cut Job Setup

For the Roads-Cut job:

• Delete the outside alignment border (like the previous steps).
• No need to align anything as this is a single layer.

4. Running the Jobs

Water Layer (Bottom Piece):

• Place the material for the Water Cut into your laser.
• Set the speed and power for cutting.
• Run the job to cut the frame.
• Remove the material from the laser after cutting.

Land Layer (Middle Piece):

• Place the material for the Land-Cut and Land-Engrave into the laser.
• Ensure Land-Cut is set to cutting speed and power, and Land-Engrave to engraving speed and power.
• Run the job for both cutting and engraving.
• Remove the material from the laser once done.

Roads Layer (Top Piece):

• Place the material for the Roads-Cut into the laser.
• Set the speed and power for cutting.
• Run the job to cut the roads.
• Remove the material from the laser after cutting.

5. Final Assembly

Once all three jobs are complete, you’ll have your three layers:

• Water Layer (Bottom) with the frame cut.
• Land Layer (Middle) with both cut and engraved sections.
• Roads Layer (Top) with the roads cut.

Now, assemble the map by painting, staining, or gluing the layers as needed to complete your project.

Updated on: 20/02/2025