Laser Test File FAQs

Samcraft Laser Test File Kit – FAQs & Troubleshooting

These FAQs cover both versions of the Samcraft Complete Laser Test File Kit — one for xTool Creative Space (XCS) and one for LightBurn. Whether you're dialing in engraving settings, troubleshooting cuts, or checking machine compatibility, you'll find answers here. If your question isn't covered, feel free to reach out through the contact page.

General Questions

Which file should I run first?

Start with the fastest Engraving Test file. Dialing in your engraving speed and power for your material is step one — once you have that, it's much easier to interpret the results on all other files and adjust settings from there.

My material catches fire / the flame alarm goes off

Always start with the faster test files and work your way down to slower ones only if needed. The numbers in each filename indicate the speed range of that file — higher numbers = faster speeds = less heat.

The laser isn't cutting through my material

If you've already worked through all the cutting test files, try increasing the number of passes on the cut-out shapes from 1 to 2 (or more). When doing so, start again at the fastest cutting file and work down to avoid fires. Keep in mind that some material/machine combinations may simply exceed your machine's capability — particularly with thick or dense materials.

The final cutout lines are missing / not cutting through

The Final Cutout layer is set to "no output" by default. This is intentional — it lets you run cutting tests first to find the right settings for your material. Once you've found those values, update the Final Cutout layer's speed and power to match and it will cut on your next run.

Poor engraving quality or clarity

File settings don't control physical output quality — clarity issues are almost always caused by hardware or material factors, not the file itself. Common causes include:

  • Improper machine focus — check your machine manufacturer's documentation for focusing procedures.
  • Mirror alignment issues — consult your manufacturer if you suspect this.
  • Poor quality material — not all materials are equal. Be cautious with mass-market suppliers like Amazon; read reviews carefully and buy from reputable laser material suppliers like MakerStock, JDS Industries, JP Plastics, or locally tested sources.

Do I need to change the text engraving settings?

Most likely, yes. With the wide variety of machines and materials out there, there's no universal default that works for everyone. Run your Engraving Tests first to find the best settings for your specific setup, then apply those values to all text label layers in the other files.

Can I edit the text labels?

No — the text labels are locked and cannot be edited. This is a deliberate protection against prior instances of customers removing my branding and reselling the files as their own work.

Compatible machines

The xTool Creative Space (XCS) package is compatible with:

  • xTool D1
  • xTool D1 Pro
  • xTool D1 Pro 2.0
  • xTool F1
  • xTool F1 Ultra
  • xTool M1
  • xTool P1 Laserbox
  • xTool P2
  • xTool S1

The LightBurn package is compatible with any laser machine you're currently running with LightBurn.

xTool Creative Space (XCS) — Specific FAQs

XCS freezes or runs slowly

Try clearing your cache. See this article from xTool for instructions: support.xtool.com/article/39. (Thanks to Graling for this tip!)

The tabs are missing / the file appears blank

XCS 2.0 moved the tab layout. Tabs that used to appear at the bottom of the screen are now at the top left of the window. Only one tab name is visible at a time — click it once and the others will drop down.

All settings are lost when I connect my machine

Make sure you're opening the correct file for your specific machine. Also, do not select a material in XCS — leave it set to User Defined. Selecting a material will overwrite all custom settings.

I can't select individual shapes

Try these steps in order:

  • Enable Precise Vector Selection under Settings in XCS.
  • Click on empty white space first to deselect everything, then try again.
  • Watch for the light blue highlight as you hover — only click when the specific object you want is highlighted.

How do I select my material in XCS?

Don't. Leave the material set to User Defined at all times. Selecting a preset material in XCS will overwrite all of your custom speed and power settings.

All the shapes cut out at once

Make sure you're running files in order from fastest to slowest. If the issue persists, your machine may simply be too powerful for the material you're using (for example, a 100W CO2 laser on thin material).

LightBurn — Specific FAQs

All layers are showing 100% power

The test file uses LightBurn's Power Scale function to vary power across shapes within a single layer. To view or adjust this, open the Shape Properties window (go to Window → Shape Properties if it's not already visible).

The file is in mm/s but my laser is set to mm/min

Go to Edit → Settings and change your machine's speed unit from mm/min to mm/s. Your machine will still operate correctly regardless of which unit is selected in software.

If you need to stay in mm/min, you'll need to manually update the labels to match the converted values:

  • mm/s → mm/min: multiply by 60
  • mm/min → mm/s: divide by 60

Note: changing the unit setting will not automatically update the text labels in the file — you'll need to recreate those manually if you switch units.