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

Connect xTool S1 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.

Hotspot connection

(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.

Note: If you have allowed XCS to use your precise location, XCS will not prompt you to allow location access.

(4) Long press the button on xTool S1 until the annular indicator blinks purple, which indicates that the device is in hotspot connection mode.

(5) Tap Go to connect to go to your iPad's Settings . Select WLAN, and connect to a network whose name starts with xTool_S1.

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

Wi-Fi/IP connection

(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) On the Connect device window, tap Configure Wi-Fi. Then, select S1 and tap Next.

(4) Long press the button on xTool S1 until the annular indicator blinks purple. On XCS, tap OK, next.

(5) Follow the onscreen instructions to connect xTool S1 to a Wi-Fi network. Then, tap Go to connect.

(6) On the device list, tap the name of your xTool S1 to connect it. After xTool S1 is connected, its annular indicator turns solid purple.

Set up xTool S1 in XCS

(1) On the processing panel, tap the gear icon next to the xTool S1 image to open the device setting window.

(2) In Basic info, you can view the device information and modify some information.

• Device name: Tap the text box to change the device name.
   
• 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 Working info, you can set up the device for work.

• Flame alarm: If a flame is detected, xTool S1 will pause processing and raise the alarm.
   
• Stops when moved: If xTool S1 is moved or tilted during processing, it will pause processing.
   
• Fill light brightness: Adjust the brightness of the fill light in the working area.
   
• *Auto-adjustment for the air assist set:
  If you connect xTool S1 with the air assist set (updated version), you can turn on Auto-adjustment for the air assist set.
  Set the airflow levels respectively for engraving and cutting. The airflow increases from 1 to 4, and 0 means no airflow. During processing, XCS adjusts the airflow based on your setting.
  Note 1: For an air assist set that is not of the updated version, you cannot set Auto-adjustment for the air assist set for it.
  Note 2: You are advised to use a small airflow for engraving and a large airflow for cutting.
   
• Exhaust fan: Turn on the exhaust fan, and the fan will work to exhaust smoke during processing.
   
• Exhaust time after processing:
  If the exhaust fan is turned on, you can set the duration at which the exhaust fan continues to work after xTool S1 stops processing. By setting this parameter, you can make the exhaust fan work longer to absorb the remaining smoke.

• Buzzer reminders: Turn on the buzzer reminders, and the buzzer will make sounds in situations such as when the device is ready for processing, the processing is completed, and so on.
• Mirror cleaning reminder: If turned on, XCS will remind you to clean the mirrors at a proper interval.
• X-axis acceleration: If turned on, xTool S1 will use a higher acceleration to reach the speed set for processing.
• *Time the purifier continues to work:
  If you connect xTool S1 with the smoke purifier, you can set the duration at which the smoke purifier continues to work after xTool S1 stops processing. By setting this parameter, you can make the smoke purifier work longer to absorb the remaining smoke.

The supported processing modes

XCS that runs on iPad supports the following processing modes:

• Process on baseplate: Process materials with flat and smooth surfaces with the baseplate in place
   
• Use rotary attachment: Use xTool S1 with the rotary attachment to process cylindrical and spherical materials, including irregular ones
   
• Screen preparation: This mode is developed for xTool Screen Printer, used to engrave screens for printing.

Use xTool S1 in the Laser flat mode

Notes

xTool S1 supports different material thicknesses when working with different accessories.

1. Place the material

Open the lid of xTool S1, and place the material to be processed on the baseplate.

2. Create a project

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

3. Select the processing mode and material name

(1) On the right side of XCS, select Process on baseplate.

(2) Tap User-defined material. Select the name of your material, and tap Confirm.

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

(3) Turn on or off Laser module position based on your need.

4. Set the laser focus

xTool S1 has a distance sensor, which can measure the distance between the laser module and the material surface. You can also manually measure and calculate the distance between the laser module and the material surface, and input the obtained values into XCS. Before processing, xTool S1 will perform auto-focus based on the Distance parameter.

• Auto measure

(1) Move the laser module over the material. Ensure that the locating spot falls on the surface of the material.

(2) On the right side of XCS, tap the icon under the Distance parameter, and xTool S1 will automatically measure the distance from the laser module to the material surface.

• Manual measure

(1) Use a ruler to measure the distance from the surface of the material to the top of the laser module.

(2) Subtract 100 mm (3.937 in) from the measured value from step (1), and input the calculated value into the Distance parameter on the right of XCS.

5. Mark the target processing area on the canvas

(1) On the right side of XCS, tap Start Marking.

(2) Select a marking mode based on the shape of the target processing area, and tap Start marking.

(3) Manually move the laser module to make the red cross spot fall at a vertex of the target processing area, and press the button on the device to record the position. Then, repeat the same steps to record the other required vertex(es) for the target processing area.

(Here the Rectangle mode is used as an example.)

(4) Tap End marking > Done, and then the target processing area will be marked out on the canvas.

Note: You can also use Snapshot preview to take a photo of the processing area and insert the photo into the canvas as the background for visualized positioning. For more information, see DIY Marking Stickers & Use 'Snapshot Preview' with xTool S1.

6. Design objects for processing

Note: You can design objects based on the marked area.

Use the tools below the canvas to create objects. You can import images, insert shapes, enter text, and so on.

7. Set parameters for processing

Select objects on the canvas. Then, on the right side of XCS, set parameters for the selected objects.

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.
 

 

8. 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 speed.

(2) Close the lid of xTool S1, and then tap Framing in the software. Press the button on xTool S1 to start framing. The laser spot will move along the boundary of the processing pattern on the material so that you can preview the processing area.

(3) After you confirm that the processing area is proper, tap Framing completed in XCS. If the area is not ideal, you can adjust the material position or adjust the element positions in the software, and then preview the processing area again.

9. Start processing

(1) In 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 lid of xTool S1. In the upper right corner of XCS, tap Start. When the software shows “Ready”, press the button on xTool S1 to start processing.