Essential Functions
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      3. Essential Functions

      File Management in LightBurn

      Managing Projects and Artwork Files in LightBurn

      The File Management tools in LightBurn provide options for creating new projects, saving your work, opening previously saved files, and importing or exporting artwork in various formats. These tools ensure that your designs are efficiently organized and accessible for editing or laser processing.

      File management options are primarily available in the Main Toolbar, with additional options accessible through the File Menu.

      Ref-FileManagement-FileMenu

      Ref-FileManagement-MainToolbar

      File Management Options

      New Project Icon-FileManagement-New

      Shortcut: Ctrl/Cmd + N

      • Clears the current project and starts a new blank project.
      • LightBurn will prompt you to save any unsaved changes before starting a new project.
      • Your settings, window customizations, and special modes remain unchanged.

      Ref-FileManagement-SaveProjectQuestionMark

      Open Project Icon-FileManagement-Open

      Shortcut: Ctrl/Cmd + O

      • Opens an existing .lbrn or .lbrn2 project file.
      • LightBurn prompts you to save unsaved changes in the current project before opening a new one.
      • If the saved file uses a different device profile, LightBurn will ask if you’d like to switch to that profile.

      Ref-FileManagement-SwitchDevicesQuestion

      Important: Use Import instead of Open to bring external graphics into an existing project without replacing the current project.

      Recent Projects

      • Access a list of recently saved projects through the File Menu.
      • Click on any file in the list to open it directly.

      Ref-FileManagement-RecentFilesList

      Save Project Icon-FileManagement-Save

      Shortcut: Ctrl/Cmd + S

      • Saves the current project in .lbrn2 (default) or .lbrn format.
      • If saving for the first time, LightBurn prompts you to name the file and choose its location.
      • Subsequent saves overwrite the existing file.

      Save As Icon-FileManagement-SaveAs

      Shortcut: Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + S

      • Saves the current project as a new file without overwriting the original.
      • Useful for creating a duplicate or a versioned file.

      Ref-SaveDialog

      Save Machine File

      • Saves the current project in a machine-ready format (e.g., GCode, RD, OUT, or UD5) depending on the type of laser.
      • Transfer the saved file to your laser machine for offline operation.

      Import Icon-FileManagement-Import

      Shortcut: Ctrl/Cmd + I

      • Loads graphics into LightBurn from supported file formats, including:
        • Vector Formats: .ai, .svg, .dxf, .pdf, .plt/.hpgl
        • Image Formats: .png, .jpg, .bmp, .gif, .tif
      • Drag-and-drop functionality is supported.
      • Importing .lbrn or .lbrn2 files loads only graphics, not project settings.

      Export Icon-FileManagement-Export

      Shortcut: Alt/Option + X

      • Saves selected graphics in .ai, .svg, or .dxf formats.
      • If no graphics are selected, the entire project is exported.
      • Exporting does not include cut settings or other project-related information.

      Key Tips for File Management

      • Default Save Format: Use .lbrn2 unless compatibility with older LightBurn versions is required.
      • Import vs. Open: Use Import to add external artwork to an existing project; use Open to load complete projects with settings.
      • Machine-Ready Files: Save in machine-specific formats for direct use with your laser.