GRAPHTECH GB PODCAST

Large number of features Similar to Illustrator Image tracing feature Offers free 15-day trial – no card required Official tutorials online

Some macOs users report slightly ‘laggy’ response Expensive (around £40 monthly, £300 annually, or £500+ outright)

PhotoGrav

PhotoGrav is an image processing software predominantly used to process raster images so they can be laser engraved onto material whilst sacrificing minimal detail. However, PhotoGrav is also compatible with vector graphics. It’s incredibly easy to use, even with little or no graphics experience, this can save you a lot of time processing images in various other programs. One huge perk of PhotoGrav is the simulation mode, providing you an example of what your design is likely to look like on various materials, from anodized aluminium to painted acrylic and woods. Although not 100%, it gives you a very good indication of how your engraving will look.

Easy to use Job simulation Telephone support Can be used along with Color Clipart from CorelDraw

Pretty expensive as far as software goes – that being said, its function and ease of use are unparalleled Not compatible with macOS

GIMP

GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is an open-source graphics editor compatible with Windows, macOS and Linux. It’s a raster graphics program used for photo retouching, image composition and image authoring. It’s free to download, so makes a good place to start for a beginner or simply to keep money in your pocket.

Completely free Multi-platform Has a good number of features

Cons

Interface is very cluttered Little support available

Lightburn

Lightburn is rapidly becoming one of the most popular programs for laser cutting and engraving, and for good reason. Not only does it have some clever features that can be used for editing, arranging, image tracing and creating on a blank canvas, Lightburn also acts as the communication platform to the laser machine itself. This means that some users might not need to use a more expensive full design package depending on their requirements. It’s great for both vector and raster work, and is incredibly easy to use. It is worth noting, Lightburn video tutorials are ridiculously easy to follow, enabling you to effectively use the program very quickly. It’s compatible with Windows, macOS and Linux and comes with 12-months of updates. You can pick up the DSP license key from HPC Laser for £80 +VAT. You are also entitled to technical support from our expert team. Alternatively, it can be purchased directly from Lightburn (without support from HPC).

Pros

User-friendly Relatively cheap Free 1-month trial Works with most Ruida, Trocen, TopWisdom and GCode based controllers Image tracing features Excellent video tutorials

Cons

Not compatible with Leetro controllers – although you can design with Lightburn, export as .dxf and transfer to the machine via Lasercut

Inkscape

Inkscape is an open-source vector graphics software. It’s free, compatible with Windows, macOS and Linux, and only uses 82mb of storage, making it ideal for anyone who wants to dive into the world of graphics without forking out for new software and hardware to do so. There are a number of great free plug-ins available that can be useful and save time, go to fixthephoto to check some of them out.

Pros

Completely free Works well on weaker computers Tutorials are easy to find

Cons

Can be slow when working with large files

Be sure to save your work very regularly – some users report it crashing quite often Choosing software can be daunting, especially as a beginner. Yet, each of these programs offers either a free trial, money back guarantee or is completely free, giving you a great opportunity to try out as many as you like. As a beginner, it certainly makes sense to trial a couple of programs to see which you feel the most comfortable with. You can always try another program in the future. If you are already used to one of these programs, you’re likely to stick with it, particularly premium software such as Adobe and Corel. That being said, we highly recommend trying out Lightburn. It’s a great all-rounder, costs significantly less, and is fast and easy to use. For those who aim to engrave top quality images, PhotoGrav is the way to go. Telephone: +44 (0) 1422 310800 Email: sales@hpclaser.co.uk Visit: www.hpclaser.co.uk