xTool Creative Space Tutorial | 5 Tips for Laser Beginners
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
The xTool laser software is pretty user friendly - even for beginners. While it's definitely not a full fledge design software by any means, there are some pretty cool hidden features that make the laser cutting software that much better.
In this xTool Creative Space tutorial I'll be sharing five little known tips for using XCS that will make your xTool M1, P2, F1, S1 or D1 that much better!
It's pretty easy to get started with the xTool software and while I would not call it a design software, it has a decent number of features. Plus, the ability to import popular files types like SVGs and PNG makes it really flexible.
BUT I think some of the best features in xTool Creative Space are the hidden features and here are my top five.
Auto Generate a Test Array to Find the Best Laser Cutting or Engraving Settings
xTool Creative Space has a feature where you can automatically create a test array to find the best settings for the material you're cutting, scoring or engraving. By using the built in test array you don't need to manually set up each combination of power and speed - the software will do it for you.
Once you complete the test grid or test array you'll evaluate it to determine your preferred settings combination.
You can then create a custom setting in xTool Creative Space for the material so that the next time you work with that material you can simply select the material and settings feeling confident they will give you the result you want.
To create your own custom setting, select an element of your design so that the Object Settings panel appears on the right side.
Adjust the processing type (score, engrave, cut), power, speed and number of passes to your desired setting.
Then click the button to the right of the material dropdown menu to name (highlighted in blue below) and name and save the custom settings.
Your custom material setting will now be included in the material dropdown menu for you to select any time you use the material.
Use Layers to Quickly Make Bulk Changes and Edits
Move various parts of your design to different layers so you can bulk change the processing type, material or other settings in bulk. Simply select the element > right click > and select Move to [pick layer color].
A new layer will be created in the small layers window.
You can then select the colored layer to make changes like adjust all items on layer to engrave in bulk.
You can also change the name of the layers to whatever you want by right clicking on the layer in the Layers panel and selecting Rename.
The layers panel also gives you the ability to hide or view layers by hovering over the layer name and toggling the eye icon to the right of the layer name.
Use Project Tabs or Canvases to Organize Projects
While using layers is a great way to organize processing types on the same type of materials, using project canvases is ideal when you have a laser project that includes several different materials and therefore different settings.
Adding new tabs or canvases is easy but it's often overlooked. At the bottom of your work area you'll see a tab. It's most likely called Canvas1. To the right of that is a small +. If you click the + you'll create another canvas.
I like to put all elements for the same type of material on their own project tab to help streamline the workflow.
If all of your elements are in one canvas you can copy/paste or cut/paste them into the new canvases you create.
You can also right click the tab name to re-name the tab something more appropriate to your project.
For example when making an ornament with sublimation board, clear acrylic, colored acrylic and two different types of wood, I created tabs for each of the different materials then bulk set the settings.
Using canvases this way helps avoid the need to keep toggling between ignore and output when processing the job.
Saving Your Projects
Once you get all of your layers and project tabs setup with settings you can save the entire project so the next time you open it in xTool Creative Space all of your settings, layers, and tabs open exactly as they were saved. This is a huge time saver for projects you cut repeatedly.
Note: This post may contain affiliate links. By clicking on them and purchasing products through my links, I receive a small commission. That's what helps fund Silhouette School so I can keep buying new Silhouette-related products to show you how to get the most out of your machine!
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No comments
Thanks for leaving a comment! We get several hundred comments a day. While we appreciate every single one of them it's nearly impossible to respond back to all of them, all the time. So... if you could help me by treating these comments like a forum where readers help readers.
In addition, don't forget to look for specific answers by using the Search Box on the blog. If you're still not having any luck, feel free to email me with your question.