What the heck are Sub-Layers in LightBurn?

This quick tips video is going to show you a practical example of using sub-layers in LightBurn and why you want to use them.
Sub-layers give you the ability to enact multiple operations on a single shape without having to create duplicates cluttering up your design. It's simple and effective and should be part of your workflow.
- Get the latest LightBurn build: lightburnsoftware.com/
1.4.05 as of production of this video
- LightBurn Support Forums: forum.lightburnsoftware.com/
- LightBurn Documentation: docs.lightburnsoftware.com/
- LightBurn Suggest a Feature: lightburn.fider.io/

[@jaycunningham2723]

The third operation with offset was informative. Useful. Thanks.

[@thetinkerverse]

I sort of hijacked it from it's intended use. Kerf is meant to allow for the kerf of your laser for things like inlay work but it also works for this need.

[@travisdent7009]

This is excellent. I wish I had watched this one 4 months ago 😆. Thanks for the straightforward details and going into its practical application.

[@adayco]

The destination, the route needed and what to expect along the way to make one of those popular “things” or to make jigs for the workshop, signs, or stuff with depth! Thanks for sharing. 👍💯

[@maggie9256]

that was a great explanation of this. I've been using them except for the Kerf feature on the 3rd layer. Thank you for this.

[@patrickbink4617]

I think that I can now simplify my projects by using these sub-layers. Thank you. I am also amazed at how quickly you put together this video/demo. I think that just yesterday or the day before you/Lightburn put out a video on Layers and someone replied that they would like to see one on sub-layers - and here it is! Amazing responsiveness.

[@thetinkerverse]

Thanks. That was a comment on one of my videos a few days ago. It typically doesn't take too long to put together these targeted videos as long as I can carve out some quiet time in the house to record the audio. I'm definitely open to specific topic requests.

[@kiweekeith]

Thanks So Much, I just 'Stumbled Upon' your Great vidclips .... I am Already well on the Wrong Side of 72, a Retired Toolmaker, CNC machinist .... To 'Keep My Hand In' I bought a 20W Diode Laser and have done some Great Work .... The way that you explain 'Things' is Really Easy to Understand and a Bonus is that it just 'Sticks' in your head .... :-) :-) :-) Best to ALL from ChCh, New Zealand

[@thetinkerverse]

Thank you for the kind words and glad you enjoyed the video.

[@PoppysWorkshop]

Great video! I’ve used Lightburn for about six months now and have used the sub layers for the fill + cleanup process before (didn’t know it used to be a setting previously). However, it never dawned on me to add the offset cut like you showed in your video. That’s going to save me a ton of design time now. Thank you!

[@thetinkerverse]

Thanks. It was just one of those things that I looked at and was like "hey, why can't I use kerf offset to do this"? Keep the design simple.

[@mikemotta9754]

thanks for the great description and demo of this feature

[@PaulMcKillop]

Great video, thanks. It opens up a whole load of things I hadn't thought of before.

[@raymondsanderson304]

Many thanks Carl I have a lot to learn fast you have given me that which I need.

[@terryh5677]

Great information. I appreciate your help.

[@thetinkerverse]

My pleasure!

[@malcolmhodgson7540]

Great video, well explained.

[@thetinkerverse]

Thank you.

[@mojav3dlab739]

Great video!

[@imadeit3579]

Didnt even had a clue about this, thanks a lot man 😮❤

[@naterife8871]

Thanks for the video. Very helpful.

[@thetinkerverse]

You're welcome!

[@jonathansharp5640]

Very helpful. Thanks for taking the time to explain these features. One slight concerning thing I noticed - @ 5:40-5:50 in the video it looks like the software may be making non-optimal choices in how it orders the cutout passes. In a few instances it makes the outside outline kerf cut before interior kerf cuts. While not a catastrophe, this could lead to minor misalignment of the interior kerf cuts. Just a thought to ponder.

[@thetinkerverse]

You're right, I didn't catch that. I'll have to double check if I have "cut inner shapes first" set on that computer. If I do then you're right, that appears to be a planner issue that I can bring up to the LB team. Thanks!

[@kendispoto6871]

Had no idea - thanks

[@tracywilliams61]

Love this

[@myhoneyshandmade1077]

Good tips. Thanks

[@thetinkerverse]

No problem!

[@dragonshoarddesign3094]

awesome thank you

[@thetinkerverse]

You're welcome!

[@i93mcc]

Hi. Nice video. I think I've seen something like this when I first started working with a laser, but I was just a beginner back then, and this thing is not so basic. Very informative video. One question, how do you have LightBurn 1.5.0?

[@thetinkerverse]

Thanks. To answer your question I was part of the original LightBurn documentation team and am still one of the Beta testers so I have early access to builds.

[@asketchylady7220]

This was great! I was wondering when I would learn what those sub layers did. lol. Is there a way to save these settings to apply to next project?

[@thetinkerverse]

They do appear to be persistent. For the video I used layer 27 and when I just opened a new job and put something on that layer I see all 3 of my sub-layers with the same settings I used for the video.

[@1976ClassicCelica]

Cool. The only thing I think you forgot to mention is that you can turn off output for sub layers if you want to reburn a layer. Other than that I'll have to try this as I've been using different layers for the same image and controlling them as separate layers rather then sub layers.

[@thetinkerverse]

Yep, I actually thought about that after I published the video. Good call out.

[@ajbahe]

What's the advantage to use sublayers vs normal Cut/Layers? (The multi-Colors at the bottom)

[@thetinkerverse]

Hi @ajbahe. Sub-layers apply multiple operations to the same shape. If you were to use standard layers, you would have to duplicate the shape and have a copy of each one on it's own layer.

[@ajbahe]

@@thetinkerverse Ahh, Got it!

[@rak7101]

Notice the 3rd sub layer in Preview cut out the outside line before the entire inside was cut. Is there not a mode to instruct LB to cut inside objects first? r/

[@thetinkerverse]

I'll have to test it against sublayers, but the cut planner has a setting to cut inner shapes first. See here: lightburnsoftware.com/blogs/news/lightburn-0-8-05-new-cut-planner-lots-of-new-extras-and-fixes

[@dragonshoarddesign3094]

I am having trouble having lightburn let me bring in multiple images. Can you point me to the video showing that process.

[@thetinkerverse]

Good morning. What sort of problems are you having? I'm able to just continually drag and drop photos into my workspace and it appears to work fine.

[@dragonshoarddesign3094]

@@thetinkerverse I tried to bring in a second image they asked me so I want to save that I said yes and it closes the original image and starts fresh

[@thetinkerverse]

Interesting. Are you dragging/dropping it onto the workspace or using import? You may want to post this with screenshots over on the LB support forum. Probably easier than trying to troubleshoot here.

[@mrbaalloo]

It's completely out of focus. Is there a reason?

[@thetinkerverse]

I'm sorry but I don't understand the question. What is out of focus?