xTool Creative Space (XCS) is an all-in-one software for graphic designing and editing, laser process setting, and machine controlling.

Download and connect to XCS

Minimum and recommended requirements for iPad

• With the minimum configurations, all the functions of XCS can be used properly. When you import a complex image, however, XCS may fail to run smoothly.
• With the recommended configurations, XCS can run more smoothly when you import and edit a complex image, the software delay may be shorter, and the performance is better.
   

Download and install XCS

(1) Search for "xTool Creative Space" in App Store or Google Play, or visit xtool.com/software to download and install XCS.

(2) Open XCS. In the top-left corner, tap > Settings and select the language you use.

Connect xTool F1 Ultra to XCS

(1) In the top-right corner of XCS, tap + Add project > Create project.

(2) On the top of the project editing page, tap Please connect a device. 

Note: If you have connected an xTool device in XCS before, tap the name of the device > select Connect device.

(3) Tap Hotspot > Go to enable. Permit XCS to access your location.

(4) Ensure that xTool F1 Ultra is turned on. Go to your iPad's Settings > WLAN, and connect to a network whose name starts with xTool_F1 Ultra.

Note: If you cannot find such a network, press the XTOOL Start/Stop button on the touchscreen of xTool F1 Ultra for 5 seconds until the device beeps. Refresh the network list, and you will see the network.

(5) Go back to XCS, and you will see your device name under Hotspot. Tap it to connect it.

Set up xTool F1 Ultra in XCS

(1) In the Processing panel, tap the Setting icon next to the image of xTool F1 Ultra.

(2) In the Basic info tab, you can view the basic information of xTool F1 Ultra and make modifications to some information.

• Device name: Change the device name in the textbox.
   
• Firmware version: Check for updates and update the firmware if a new version is available.
   
• Wi-Fi setting: Connect the device to a Wi-Fi network.
   
• Hotspot password: Set a hotspot password for the device, so that if others want to connect to your device in Hotspot mode, they need to enter a password.
   

(3) In the Device settings tab, you can set up the device and export files or logs as needed.

• Flame alarm: If a flame is detected in the working area, xTool F1 Ultra will pause processing and raise the alarm. Low means low detection sensitivity; High means high detection sensitivity.
   
• Stops when moved: If xTool F1 Ultra is moved or tilted during processing, it will pause processing.
   
• Stops when enclosure opened: If the protective enclosure is opened during processing, xTool F1 will pause processing.
   
• Buzzer reminders: xTool F1 Ultra makes a beeping sound in specific situations, such as device connected and task completed.
   
• Fill light brightness: Adjust the brightness of the fill light in the working area.
   
• Exhaust time after processing: The time duration the exhaust fan continues to work after a processing task ends. By working for a longer time, the fan can exhaust the remaining smoke after processing.
   
• Z-axis homing: Tap Homing to return the laser module to its original position.
   
• Export .xf file: Export the current project as a .xf file for offline processing.
   

(4) In the Parameter settings tab, you can calibrate the device to compensate for its parameter offsets as needed.

Process a material in XCS

1. Select the processing mode and material name

(1) On the right side of XCS, select a processing mode. Here we use Process on flat surface as an example.

(2) Tap User-defined material. Select the name of your material on the xTool or Customized tab, and tap Confirm.

If you can't find the name of your material, you can select User-defined material.

Note: 
You can tap More to search among more materials. After you select a material on the material list or material library, the software will automatically set parameters for laser processing. The default settings apply to xTool materials. You can adjust the settings based on your needs.
If you select User-defined material, you need to set the processing parameters by yourself.

Note: The Customized tab displays the materials added by the user. You can tap +Add to add materials. For detailed steps, see How to Add and Test a Material in XCS - xTool Support Center.

2. Place the material and focus the laser

(1) Lift the protective enclosure, and place the material on the baseplate, allowing the blue light spot to fall on the surface of the material.

Note: 
- To cut a material, you are advised to place the slatted panel under the material, so as to reduce the burned area on the back of the material and protect the baseplate.

- If the material is too light, you are advised to use tools such as tape to fix the material. Otherwise, the airflow of the exhaust fan may cause the material to move during processing.

(2) Hold down on the Up/Down button for laser module to lift or lower the laser module. When the red and blue light spots overlap, the focus is successfully set.

Note: The blue light spot does not move. If the laser module moves up, the red light spot moves towards the left. If the laser module moves down, the red light spot moves towards the right.

After you finish focusing, you can see the measured material thickness on the right side of XCS.

Note: xTool F1 Ultra supports auto-focus and manual-focus. Here we use manual-focus. For more information on how to use auto-focus, see Focus the Laser.

3. Shoot background and design processing objects

(1) On the right of XCS, tap Refresh under Snapshot preview.

Note: XSC takes a photo of xTool F1 Ultra’s processing area and uses it as the canvas background. You can position processing objects based on the background.

Note: To ensure positioning accuracy, focus the laser before shooting the background.

(2) Use the tools on the bottom to create objects on the canvas. 

Note: Ensure that the objects are placed inside the material.

Note: You can import images, insert shapes, enter text, draw vector graphics, and so on. For more information on how to use XCS to design objects, see Software Learning Center.

4. Edit objects and set processing parameters

(1) Select objects on the canvas and set parameters for them.

Note:
You need to set parameters for every object. A missed object may fail to be processed.
The parameters that can be set for bitmap objects and vector objects are different. You can select multiple objects of the same type and set parameters for them at once.

Processing type

Image - Engrave: Laser beams hit on the surface of the material to change the color of the surface. By creating different shades of color on the material surface, xTool F1 Ultra prints an image on the material.

Vector - Score: Laser beams walk along the path of the vector graphic, drawing the vector on the material with lines.

Vector - Engrave: Laser beams walk through the entire area enclosed by the vector path, engraving the vector on the material with monochromatic fillings.

Vector - Cut: Laser beams cut the material along the path of the vector graphic.

Setting

If you have saved settings for the same type of material before, you can use your saved settings.

If you want to manually set the parameters, select User-defined. Then, tap EasySet panel below to set parameters.
 

EasySet panel

Tap EasySet panel, and set processing parameters on the panel.

Note: For a detailed explanation of each parameter, see The Processing Parameters for xTool F1 Ultra.

5. Set the processing path

In the right-side Processing tab, set the processing path at the bottom of the panel.

(1) Set the Processing path.

• Auto planning: XCS automatically plans the processing path based on intelligent algorithms.
• User defining: Manually set the processing paths for some objects.

(2) Turn on or off the Evade smoke mode.

When this feature is enabled, the device follows a path less affected by the smoke to process the material.

Note: You are advised to enable this feature for scoring on materials such as wood and corrugated paper that produce heavy smoke. Otherwise, the heavy smoke may block the laser beams and interfere laser processing.

6. Preview the processing area

You can preview the processing area on the material by framing. Framing means laser dots walk along the border of the processing objects on the material. Take the following steps to start framing:

(1) In the top-right corner of XCS, tap the setting icon next to Framing and set the framing parameters.

● Light power: Sets the laser power for framing.

● Mode: 
In the Rect mode, laser dots walk along the rectangle border of the processing objects.
In the Outline mode, laser dots walk along the outline of the processing objects.

(2) Tap Framing in the software. The laser dots will move along the boundary of the processing objects on the material, allowing you to preview the processing area.

To stop framing, tap the Stop Framing button on the top-right corner of XCS.

Note: If the processing area is not ideal, you can adjust the material position or adjust the object positions in the software.

7. Start processing

(1) On the top-right corner of the software, tap Process.

(2) Preview the processing pattern and path.

On the bottom-left corner, tap the button, and XCS will show you the processing path.

(3) Close the protective enclosure. In the upper right corner of XCS, tap Start. When the software shows “Ready”, press the XTOOL Start/Stop button on the touchscreen controller to start processing.

Note: During laser processing, keep the protective enclosure closed or wear goggles that can shield laser beams of 455 nm and 1064 nm wavelengths.