NEW Laser Module

We have introduced a laser module that can be purchased as an add on to any of our Cut2D Desktop & Pro, VCarve Desktop & Pro or Aspire Vectric version 11+ products. This module enables you to create projects using hybrid laser and CNC machining all within one package.

This hybrid solution allows you to take advantage of the same drawing, machining and layout tools you are already used to. Simply create your project, choose which parts you want to cut on your CNC and which parts you want to laser and view all elements of the finished hybrid project all in your simulation.

The module can be purchased directly from your V&Co account for $49. Once purchased the module will be added to your existing software. Once installed you will find the laser toolpath options within your toolpath tools.

What laser hardware is compatible?

Initially we aim to support the following machine tools (and controllers) using the most common commercially available solid-state laser diode modification kits.

  • X-Carve (GRBL)
  • Shapeoko (GRBL)
  • Ooznest (Duet2)
  • Digital Wood Carver (PlanetCNC controller)
  • OpenBuilds (GRBL)
  • Onefinity (with JTech Dual Pro 14W)
  • Onefinity (with JTech 7W Pro)

Please see the FAQ below for full details of our tested & supported configurations. We will be adding other machines and controllers to this supported list over time.

Other similar machines or controllers *may* work, our latest trial editions allow you to test your machine configuration before you purchase. Please note, however, that we are unable to provide support for other configurations at this time.

Vectric Laser Module

Laser Toolpath Simulation

When simulating a laser toolpath the material will “char” like conventional wood.

Hybrid CNC & Laser Machining

Create jobs using both CNC toolpaths and laser toolpaths together in one software package.

Laser Picture Engraving

The laser picture toolpath allows you to take a bitmap image and produce a laser engraving.

No Additional Training Required

Allows you to take advantage of the same drawing, machining & layout tools you're used to.

$49 / £39 / €45 (excludes local taxes)

Key Strengths of our Laser Module

  • This module enables you to create projects using hybrid laser and CNC machining all within one package.
  • This hybrid solution allows you to take advantage of the same drawing, machining and layout tools you are already used to.
  • Combine conventional 2D and 3D machining toolpaths with Laser toolpaths. This allows you to make laser engravings on machined parts.
  • The newly added laser toolpaths can be simulated to provide visual feedback on the parts you are creating. This simulation can be calibrated to match your machine’s power and speed.

Business Benefits

  • No need to re-train on another piece of software. Take advantage of the same drawing, machining and layout tools you are already used to.
  • Use all of your existing files and workflows to create hybrid CNC and laser projects.
  • Watch our helpful tutorial video's to get up and running with the laser module right away.

Click the buttons below to view more about specific features

The laser cut and fill toolpath generates toolpaths which either cut out or mark material.

The laser picture toolpath is a simple tool that allows you to take an image and produce a laser engraving.

Both the toolpaths have the ability to output your toolpaths directly to the machine.

The laser toolpaths can be simulated like conventional toolpaths and the material will “char” like conventional wood might.

The conventional tool database can be used to manage your laser tools.

Laser Cut and Fill Toolpath

The laser cut and fill toolpath generates toolpaths which either cut out or mark material.

The laser cut and fill toolpath generates toolpaths which either cut out or mark material. You can adjust the speed and power of the laser to allow you control the degree of etching as well as the number of passes the laser makes. The tool automatically takes into account the kerf of the laser to ensure that the cut out parts will be the size you would expect.

The hatch fill strategy is used for marking and shading different regions of your part. This can be used to engrave text, curves and shapes onto parts.

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Laser Cut and Fill Toolpath

Laser Picture Toolpath

The laser picture toolpath is a simple tool that allows you to take an image and produce a laser engraving.

The laser picture toolpath is a simple tool that allows you to take an image and produce an engraving. You can adjust the power and speed to control the degree of etching as well as the line spacing to fine tune the balance between fast and low detail and slower but with high detail.

You can set the angle or even choose your own curves for the laser engraving. This makes it possible to make a wide variety of different laser engravings from a single image.

You can combine this tool with 3D toolpaths allowing you to laser engrave accurately onto shapes that you have machined using the conventional CNC toolpaths.

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Laser Picture Toolpath

Laser Toolpath Direct Output

Both the toolpaths have the ability to output your toolpaths directly to the machine.

Both the laser cut and fill and the laser picture toolpaths have the ability to output your toolpaths directly to the machine. Using VTransfer (included) you can control GRBL-controlled machines from within the software, this shortens the feedback loop between designing and making, allowing you to iterate quickly on your designs. (VTransfer is not in the demo version of the software).

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Laser Toolpath Direct Output

Simulation & Visualization

The laser toolpaths can be simulated like conventional toolpaths and the material will “char” like conventional wood might.

The laser toolpaths can be simulated like conventional toolpaths. When simulating a laser toolpath the material will “char” like conventional wood might.

You can see the results of changing power and speed in the software and the simulation of the burning effect can be calibrated to match your machine.

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Laser Simulation & Visualization

Tool Database

The conventional tool database can be used to manage your laser tools.

The conventional tool database can be used to manage your laser tools. This allows you to store commonly used settings for the materials you use most often.

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Laser Module Tool Database

Laser Module FAQ’s

Simply click on a FAQ to reveal the answer

Laser Module

What is the Laser Module?

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The laser module enables you to create projects using hybrid laser and CNC machining all within one package. This hybrid solution allows you to take advantage of the same drawing, machining, and layout tools you are already used to. Simply create your project, choose which parts you want to cut on your CNC and which parts you want to laser and view all elements of the finished hybrid project all in your simulation.

How can I purchase the laser module?

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The laser module can only be purchased as an ‘add-on’ to any of our core products including, Cut2D Desktop, Cut2D Pro, VCarve Desktop, VCarve Pro and Aspire version 11+. This means you must already own one of these core products in version 11 or above to be able to add the laser module and use the laser toolpaths.

The laser module can be purchased directly from your V&Co account for $49. Once purchased the module will be added to your existing software. Once installed you will find the laser toolpath options within your toolpath tools.

What laser hardware is compatible with the laser module?

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Initially we aim to support the following machine tools (and controllers) using the most common commercially available solid-state laser diode modification kits.

X-Carve (GRBL) -

Shapeoko (GRBL) -

Ooznest (Duet2) -

Digital Wood Carver (PlanetCNC controller) -

OpenBuilds (GRBL)  -

Onefinity  -

We will be adding other machines and controllers to this supported list over time.

Other similar machines or controllers *may* work, our latest trial editions allow you to test your machine configuration before you purchase. Please note, however, that we are unable to provide support for other configurations at this time.

How do I test the laser module is compatible with my laser?

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To test the laser module simply head over to our free trial page here:

https://vectric.com/free-trial/laser-module

As the laser module is only available as an ‘add on’ module, which means you will need to firstly choose one of our core products in order to test the laser module.

Choose from Cut2D Desktop, Cut2D Pro, VCarve Desktop, VCarve Pro or Aspire.

Once you have downloaded and installed your trial software, then the laser module can be trialled by selecting the Trial – Laser Module option from the Help Menu at the top, left hand side of the software.

After restarting the software the new laser module functionality will be enabled. All of the features are enabled and there are a selection of free projects available for you to download and cut on your CNC machine to check the compatibility.

Watch our free trial tour video here: https://youtu.be/q_Or6ELVc4Q?t=740

Laser Help
Will this module work with my laser?

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Initially we aim to support the following machine tools (and controllers) using the most common commercially available solid-state laser diode modification kits.

X-Carve (GRBL) -

Shapeoko (GRBL) -

Ooznest (Duet2) -

Digital Wood Carver (PlanetCNC controller) -

OpenBuilds (GRBL)  -

Onefinity  -

We will be adding other machines and controllers to this supported list over time.

Other similar machines or controllers *may* work, our latest trial editions allow you to test your machine configuration before you purchase. Please note, however, that we are unable to provide support for other configurations at this time.

When I upgrade my Vectric CNC software will I need to upgrade Laser Module?

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No, although the laser module is only available as an add on to our core Cut2D Desktop, Cut2D Pro, VCarve Desktop, VCarve Pro and Aspire version 11+ products, it is not linked to that particular version. For example, the functionality included in the V1 laser module will continue working alongside later versions of the software. If further functionality is added to the laser module then those updates may require a new version of the laser module to be purchased.

What wattage laser do I need to run the Laser module?

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We have successfully used it with both 3.7W and 6W lasers in woods and acrylic. The software itself has no requirement on laser wattage.

Learn even more about our software

We have only been able to give a brief overview of some of the software capabilities here. To really understand the speed, ease of use and full scope of what the program can do then please download the trial version and try it for yourself.

Video Tutorials

The video tutorials will get you up and running quickly and the trial version is supplied with a number of standard demonstration files which you can scale and cut on your own machine using your own tooling to verify the quality of the toolpaths from the software and compatibility with your machine. In addition to the standard demonstration files we supply, you can load any of your own data files and preview them using the standard toolpath simulation capabilities of the program.

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Vectric Video Tutorials

Finally, if you have reached this far, we'd like to thank you for your interest in Vectric software and encourage you to download the free, no registration required trial version now and see what the software can do for you!