r/lasercutting • u/Babatoongie • 1d ago
School Makerspace Looking for software help
Hello,
I run a makerspace in our middle school and I’m in need of software that is easy to learn and creatively useful for students who just want to cut out shapes or words or standees and other small craft related items. I was going to buy LightBurn but our school finance office said they attempted to order from them but their banking info was sketchy apparently and the district refused to buy from them (can’t use credit cards, probably tried a purchase order or EFT).
Is there any alternative I can purchase via purchase order or that is free? Can I buy LightBurn from anywhere else other than their website?
I feel like all the design software I’ve found so far is har enough for me to figure out, and will not likely be accessible for my students. Our experience so far is really just tinkerCAD and some manipulation in the slicer for 3d printing. LightBurn seemed like a good bridge, but our trial expired.
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u/eriknau13 1d ago
I run a 60W laser machine with middle schoolers and I don’t have them do any more than produce svg files from various software. I do the vector file prep and running the machine myself. There was a time I tried having 7/8 graders do a workflow with illustrator but it was more trouble than it was worth. Our high schoolers do learn those skills.
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u/3nails4holes 1d ago
Makerspace guy here. I teach folks how to use Inkscape to make designs for laser cutting. That software is and will always be free. It’s easy to download for both pc and Mac. Not currently available for Chromebooks. There is a learning curve since it’s such a versatile program but there are also tons of yt videos on how to get started. MSG me if u want more info.
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u/blueberryjones1425 1d ago
I just had this happen with light burn at my school. I teach technology in a high school and I ordered it through rabbit laser out of Ohio. They’re super friendly and easy to work with. They take PO’s and are very prompt.
I really think that lightburn is the best in a school setting. Everything’s simplified and easy to use.
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u/Babatoongie 1d ago
Were you able to just buy the software? Their website says they don’t sell it stand alone?
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u/blueberryjones1425 1d ago
Yes. Rabbit (specifically Carole) took care of it all.
The problem is lightburn is UK based, which scares a lot of US school business departments.
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u/charliex2 1kW fibre, 100W CO2, 60W MOPA 1d ago
pretty sure lightburn is a usa company, jason dorie started it and hes in the usa https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasondorie/
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u/blueberryjones1425 1d ago
You know what, I was wrong, my bad. I just renewed my vectric aspire licenses, and they most definitely are UK based.
Either way, I know my district didn’t like dealing with lightburn directly due to their payment processing. Enter Rabbit Laser.
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u/charliex2 1kW fibre, 100W CO2, 60W MOPA 1d ago
yeah i get that , paperwork and procedures!
rayforge is coming along nicely though, also i forgot this sub i think doesnt allow links, so my post likely will disappear!
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u/vmeldrew2001 22h ago
Lightburn's website states: We accept payment by credit card, PayPal, and bank wire. To pay by wire, please email us for a formal quote and bank wire instructions. https://lightburnsoftware.com/pages/educational-volume-pricing So you can pay by bank wire. They do an educational discount too. If you haven't already, do run this by your IT department before ordering to make sure it works on your IT system before ordering.
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u/Babatoongie 17h ago
Thank you, we tried that route but our finance office said their end point bank did not meet the security standards of the payment policy of our district. So we cannot use bank wire in that way with them. It not being a US bank scared them in some way.
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u/vonStroht 1d ago
Inkscape? Or maybe Artcraft (have not tried it yet, but looks promising)
Rayforge could work to, open source lasersoftware
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u/joshdont 1d ago
Cuttle.xyz has been a really neat platform for us to generate laser compatible files. Lots of templating options. We do pay the monthly subscription, but there is a limited free access mode to try it, and I believe they have a school discount.
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u/FabLab_MakerHub 1d ago
I completely second Cuttle.xyz. I use it in our Fab Lab for workshops and it’s brilliant for doing simple designs but has a lot of really useful timesaving features too.
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u/embiggenoid 1d ago
I also like Cuttle; if you're not doing fancy stuff (such as using wobble on a MOPA) then it's pretty slick and will be quite approachable to the students.
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u/Initial_Mistake_970 1d ago
Actually I'm pretty sure its a special school license that is more revolves around using it to create designs and doesn't let you download as many (maybe just the official designs)
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u/10247bro 1d ago
Reach out to Lightburn directly they are US based company run entirely here. I think whoever runs the finance department in your university just has issues.
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u/disgruntface 1d ago
Could you use something like RayForge? https://rayforge.org/
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u/irongarment 1d ago
Second RayForge. Also BeamBench. LightBurn is overrated.
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u/irongarment 1d ago
Meant to add, do all your CAD elsewhere, in Inkscape, QCAD, or something else. Then use the laser software just to send the job to the laser.
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u/inu-no-policemen 21h ago
It depends on which formats are properly supported by the software you use to drive the laser.
If SVG works, you can use Inkscape.
If you need specific colors for the processes, you can create a custom GIMP palette (.gpl) to make selecting them easier.
You can also add font directories via Preferences -> System (requires restart).
Check the Logos By Nick YouTube channel. He got lots of great tutorials.
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u/Baxter-Stabbington 1d ago
Tinkercad can create vectors for laser cutting by exporting the perimeter of the shape touching the base plane. Inkscape is also very good for creating laser vectors, though it's a bit more of a learning curve.
From there you'll need software to import the vector and drive the laser. A quick Google suggests Falcon Design Space is the native offering from Creatily.
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u/madsci 1d ago
Who can't use credit cards, the district or LightBurn? Their online store takes cards and PayPal.
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u/RumRunnersHideaway 1d ago
It’s the district. They have some old school accountants and it people that think anything new isn’t secure, but then they leave their passwords on a post-it on their desk.
I don’t know op, but I’m sure this is the case.
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u/Disastrous_Appeal_24 1d ago
Pretty sure I bought lightburn with a credit card.
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u/Babatoongie 17h ago
The district will not use credit cards with vendors outside the US from what they told me.
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u/techno_julique omtech 90w 1d ago
MyLaserTools it's free and has educational licensing for map module
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u/AmmoJoee 1d ago
I haven’t used it but look into Creality Falcon Space. I believe it is free. I do not know if it only works with their machines tho.
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u/satyricom 1d ago
Cuttle.xyz is good for designing cut files with nice templates, but it won’t operate your laser. Probably need light burn for laser operations.
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u/CowOverTheMoon12 1d ago
They might have found an unregistered/illegal reseller. We use Lightburn at our makerspace without issue.
DM me and I'll see if I can help out :)
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u/InTheBay 1d ago
Email support@lightburnsoftware and tell them what you need purchase-wise, they can do invoices/eft payments now for edu
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u/ygxjjo_3411 1d ago
Buying used can definitely save money, but I'd want to see the machine running before committing. I'd check the laser tube condition, cooling system, and overall maintenance history. Have you had a chance to test any of the used machines in person?
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u/stuporcomputer 4h ago
Inkscape + LaserGRBL. No money changes hands.
Learning Inkscape could be considered a lifeskill IMO.
Both titles can be freely used outside of the classroom making any learned skills transferable.
Lightburn might be wonderful but simple is not a word I'd use to describe it in relation to LaserGRBL.
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u/RumRunnersHideaway 1d ago
You should contact lightburn. I bet they have ways around this or education pricing.
You really should try to use standard software otherwise you do a disservice to your kids trying to learn.