If your laser uses a variable focus distance instead of a variable height work table, you will need to align for the material height you are using. If you do purchase one, make sure you get one that is USB 2.0 rated.Īlso note: the camera system depends on the camera being in the same position relative to the work area of your laser and the same distance from the top of the material. Any longer and the signal needs to be boosted. USB cables are only rated for a distance of 5 meters (about 16 feet). If you need a longer cable to reach the computer, you'll need what's called an 'active' or 'amplifying' cable that repeats the USB signal and boosts it. Note: the camera plugs in to your computer, not the laser.
If this happens, focus on a circle that is roughly half-way from the center of the bed to the edge of the image, like this: Some cameras, like the 5mp-60, have a narrow focus depth, and if mounted high, can be tricky to focus. Focus the camera so as much of the bed is in focus as possible.Ramming the laser head into your shiny new camera is a great way to increase your blood pressure. Make sure that wherever you choose to mount the camera that it is out of the path of the laser head, and that you run the cable so it is not in the path of the beam.A small piece of EVA foam or even tissue can hold the camera securely in the mount. If your camera is in a mount, make sure it does not move within the mount.If you mount to the lid of your laser, make sure the lid opens to the same place every time - gas struts have a bit of play in them, so using a cord or rod to ensure the lid is always at the same position when opened can help. The camera must be solidly mounted such that it is always in exactly the same position when using it, relative to the work area of your laser, and the top of the material.Most LightBurn cameras are manually focused by twisting the lens. The camera should be focused as well as possible.We generally recommend mounting on the inside of the lid, when opened, like this: The ideal mounting position for the camera is directly above the center of the bed of the laser, with the bed completely in view (similar to the image shown above).If you are installing the camera yourself, there are a few key things here worth noting. If your machine already has a camera installed, you can skip this part. It takes a bit of effort to set up, but it's worth it. LightBurn will correct for this, as well as mounting at odd angles, and will simulate a clean, top-down view of whatever is on the bed of your laser. This image is fairly distorted, because the camera used here has a fish-eye lens. Select the camera, and the view from the camera will appear in the window, as shown: If your computer has a compatible USB camera connected, it will appear in the Camera drop-down box. You'll see a window that looks like this: In LightBurn, enable the 'Camera Control' window by going to the Window menu and selecting it.
Trace simple artwork from the camera image.LightBurn's camera feature allows you to use a USB connected camera with LightBurn to: Using a Camera Using a camera with LightBurn Numeric Edits - size, position, orientation