This manual describes how LaserBase works. The goal is not to exhaust every internal detail, but to make the program usable in a correct way and to make it clear what happens between the image and the G-code.
The text follows the real workflow.
LaserBase is a software suite for preparing and running laser engraving jobs.
Its main parts are:
LaserBase is not a general-purpose image editor. Its purpose is to turn an image into a machine-aligned raster and a usable control file.
The engraving result is determined by three factors together:
For this reason, LaserBase does not process only an image. It also binds the image to a physical size, a DPI, machine geometry and G-code parameters.
A typical job looks like this:
The Image Workspace is the central part of the program.
The source image is shown on the left, the processed view on the right. That right-hand view does not always mean the same thing: depending on the selected mode it can be grayscale, binary dither, or one of the processed branches in depth mode.
For that reason, the preview must always be interpreted together with the selected processing mode.
Use the Load image button to load the picture.
Supported formats:
After loading, the program stores the source image and uses it as the starting point for all further processing.
The program uses several image levels.
RAW image
This is the loaded source image. Crop and real rotation belong to this image.
Processed image
This is the raster already aligned to the chosen physical size, DPI and machine geometry, with image transforms already applied.
BASE
BASE is not always binary.
G-code is always generated from the active processed raster.
The engraving size is given in millimeters.
DPI defines line or point density:
line spacing (mm) = 25.4 / DPI
The requested DPI is not always identical to the DPI physically used by the machine. LaserBase builds a real raster aligned to the machine step system, so the processed image size and effective DPI can differ from the requested values.
The machine profile contains the machine’s physical data:
These values are needed not only for export. The program also uses them for raster alignment and automatic overscan calculation.
In fiber mode the workspace uses a virtual machine profile; in diode mode the machine data is part of the actual processing.
Crop is defined in RAW image space. This matters.
It means the cutout is not applied to the already processed image, but to the source image before further processing.
Available shapes:
For circle crop, width and height must match. If crop is active but invalid, the Process button does not run.
The two rotations are not the same.
Rotate 90
This is a real geometric transform. It changes the orientation of the source image, and crop, geometry and processing follow that orientation.
Preview rotate back
This is only a display layer. It does not modify processing or G-code. It only rotates the left and right preview views back.
If the image must be rotated because of the machine, Rotate 90 is the relevant control. If the goal is only to look at the image more comfortably, preview rotate back is the right tool.
The processing mode is the central decision in the workspace.
It does not only define which algorithm runs. It also defines what kind of BASE is built, what the preview means, and how G-code is generated.
LaserBase is not limited to binary dithering.
Grayscale
The processed raster remains grayscale. G-code assigns a PWM value to each pixel tone.
Hybrid
This is a grayscale-based mode that treats tones in a more patterned way. It is neither classic binary dither nor pure grayscale.
Hybrid is useful when pure grayscale feels too flat and binary dither too hard. It sits between tone field and dot structure.
Binary dither modes
In these modes the final raster is binary: a dot either burns or does not.
Depth
This is not a separate dither algorithm but a two-branch processing model.
In depth mode the program keeps a grayscale branch and a dither branch, and the preview can switch between them. During export the G-code is built from two passes.
Depth is useful when tone transfer and dot structure should not be carried by one single raster. Compared to plain grayscale, it gives two separate processed branches with different roles.
Contrast, Brightness, Gamma, Radius, Amount
These controls shape the input of the processing stage.
Negative
Tone inversion.
Mirror X / Mirror Y
Geometric mirroring on the image.
Threshold
This is not a general image slider. It affects the threshold of binary error-diffusion modes.
Serpentine scan
In error-diffusion dither modes, it reverses the processing direction of every other row. It is not a separate dither mode, but an additional switch.
1 pixel off
In binary modes, this is a cleanup step that can remove isolated single pixels.
Auto is not a simple ratio calculator.
The recommendation is built from the database using:
It tries to provide Speed / Max power / Min power values from those.
If there is no exact match, the program uses fallback logic. It does not climb every higher level; it can only fall back to supported safe-stop groups. When that happens, the program indicates it and may ask for confirmation.
In Auto mode, Speed and Max power stay linked: if one of them is edited by hand, the other is adjusted around the current recommendation baseline.
Auto is strongest when it is based on an exact material-and-technique match. In fallback cases it should be treated more as a safe starting point than as a final value.
The recommender relies on the records stored in the database. Those records are not limited to predefined data: the user can add custom entries.
Stored data can be exported and loaded back in another environment. Imported key files update the centrally prepared database set.
Overscan is the lead-in and lead-out travel outside the image boundary.
In automatic mode, LaserBase computes it from speed and axis acceleration. A manual override can also be entered.
If overscan is too small, the image edges can distort because the machine is still not moving at constant speed there.
Process does not simply run a filter.
Before processing, the program evaluates:
The result is:
The actual processed raster is built after that decision.
The right-hand preview shows the selected processed branch.
That preview is not a direct 1:1 image of the final engraving in every mode. This is especially true in binary dither and depth mode, where it shows raster logic more than material response.
In depth mode, you can switch between two previews:
Nearest preview changes how the image is displayed, not how it is processed.
In fullscreen mode it is worth checking:
G-code strategy depends on the mode.
Grayscale / Hybrid
The program derives PWM values from pixel tone, so laser power can change within a line.
Binary dither
Black dots burn with the configured maximum power, white dots do not burn.
Depth
Two successive passes are produced: the dither branch and the grayscale branch each get their own G-code block.
Save image
Saves the currently active processed image. This can be the grayscale, hybrid or dither branch.
G-code
Saves the engraving control file.
Frame
If enabled, the program also creates a separate frame file. Its parameters are entered in a separate dialog. With circle crop, the frame is circular; otherwise it is rectangular.
The main window works as a parameter database, but workspace saving contains more than that.
When saving, the program stores:
For that reason, reload is not only record filling but workspace state restoration.
A saved workspace record can be reloaded from the main window.
When that happens, the program:
The restored state is therefore session-like rather than a simple list of parameters.
Sender runs in a separate window.
Basic functions:
During operation:
Sender also supports a separate frame run, machine-start and work-start position storage, and offset-based positioning.
Main window
Stores and manages records.
New Entry
Creates a new record.
Calculator
Helps compute proportionate new parameters from existing records.
Sketch
A simple separate drawing and sketching surface.
line spacing (mm) = 25.4 / DPI
effective DPI = 25.4 / actual pitch_mm
Modes:
Rotation:
Saving: