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Requires macOS 15 Sequoia or later. Universal binary (Apple Silicon & Intel).
A deep dive into every feature of the most complete GRBL laser controller for Mac
From image engraving with 7 dithering algorithms to SVG vector cutting, dual layers, 18 material presets, and real-time overrides — Lùmen gives you full control over your laser engraver.
Before you fire the laser, Lùmen shows you exactly what will happen. The interactive 2D canvas displays your entire job with zoom and pan, the machine's real work area in millimeters, and the current laser position.
The Frame command traces the exact boundary of your job before engraving — so you can verify placement without burning anything. With the laser pointer active, the machine moves at low power (S10) to draw a visible outline on your material. With the pointer off, it traces the boundary with rapid moves.
Framing respects work area limits in Machine Home mode, preventing end-stop alarms.
Lùmen converts your images to laser-ready G-code with three distinct processing modes, each suited to different materials and styles.
Converts your image to black-and-white dots using error-diffusion algorithms. This is the gold standard for engraving photographs on wood, producing fine detail with excellent contrast. Choose from 7 algorithms:
Maps continuous tones directly to laser power levels, producing smooth gradients. Best on materials that respond linearly to power changes, like anodized aluminum or slate.
Binary conversion: every pixel becomes either fully burned or untouched. Adjustable threshold (0–255) lets you control the cutoff point. Ideal for high-contrast logos, text, and line art.
Both adjustable from −100 to +100 with instant preview. The interface shows your original image side by side with the processed result, so you can evaluate the output before generating G-code.
PNG, JPEG, BMP, and TIFF.
Load any SVG file for precise vector cutting. Lùmen's built-in SVG parser handles all standard elements and converts them to optimized G-code.
Curves are automatically converted to linear segments for G-code. The cut layer appears in red on the canvas, clearly separated from the orange engrave layer.
Combine engraving and cutting in a single job. Lùmen's two-layer system lets you engrave a design and cut its outline without repositioning your material.
No guesswork. Every parameter is adjustable via dedicated sliders, and the preview updates in real time as you make changes.
| Parameter | Range |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 1–20 lines/mm |
| Speed (Feed Rate) | 100 mm/min up to machine maximum |
| Power Max | 1–100% (auto-scaled to machine $30 value) |
| Power Min | 0–100% |
| Overscan | 0–20 mm |
| Brightness | −100 to +100 |
| Contrast | −100 to +100 |
| Threshold | 0–255 |
During a running job, you can adjust feed rate and laser power without pausing. Controls allow ±1% and ±10% adjustments, or a reset to 100%. Changes apply instantly through GRBL's real-time command protocol.
Ready-to-use presets for the most common laser engraving and cutting materials. Select a preset and all parameters — speed, power max, power min, resolution, and passes — are set automatically.
Found the perfect settings for a material? Save them as a custom preset. Create, edit, rename, and delete your own presets — they persist across sessions and are always one click away in the dropdown menu.
The fastest way to find optimal settings for a new material. Lùmen generates a calibration grid where each cell is engraved at a different combination of speed and power, so you can visually identify the best parameters.
Run the test, pick the cell that looks best, and apply those parameters to your job.
Two modes for positioning your work, depending on your setup and workflow.
Uses the machine's limit switches to establish a repeatable zero position. Work area limits are enforced automatically — Lùmen prevents movements and G-code coordinates from exceeding the physical boundaries, avoiding hard-limit alarms.
Jog the laser to any position and press Set Zero Here. Your job will be engraved relative to that point. Supports two alignment modes:
8-direction jog pad with configurable step size in millimeters. The laser pointer toggles a low-power visible dot (S10) so you can see exactly where the focus point is without burning your material.
Lùmen implements the GRBL character-counting streaming protocol with precise 127-byte buffer tracking. Every command is tracked from send to acknowledgment, preventing buffer overflows and ensuring reliable communication.
If the machine stops responding during a job, Lùmen detects the stall after 3 consecutive idle status reports and automatically resynchronizes the buffer state. No manual intervention needed.
Stopped mid-job? Resume from the exact G-code line where you left off with the Resume button. No need to start the entire job over.
The built-in console shows all serial communication in real time:
Type G-code commands manually, navigate command history with arrow keys, and export the full log as a text file for debugging or support.
Save your entire job — both layers, all settings, positions, and sizes — into a single file in Lùmen's native format.
Built-in presets for the most popular GRBL laser engravers. Each preset configures the work area dimensions and maximum speed/power values for your specific machine.
Don't see your machine? Create a custom preset with your work area size and max values. Custom presets are saved permanently and editable at any time.
Lasers are powerful tools. Lùmen includes multiple safety layers to prevent accidents and protect your machine.
No credit card required. One-time purchase. No subscription.
Requires macOS 15 Sequoia or later. Universal binary (Apple Silicon & Intel).