Software Update – XCS V2.1 Release Notes

Updated Sep 27,2024

We’re excited to announce the official launch of XCS V2.1， a result of hard work and innovation from our dedicated development team.Whether you're a long-time user or just getting started, we believe these enhancements will make your experience even smoother and more enjoyable. Read on to hear directly from the team!

This article covers:

A Letter from the Development Team

Device Access

[New] Supporting new devices xTool F1 Ultra and xTool M1 Ultra

UI

[New] Added a homepage that displays the recent and recommended projects and provides access to your Cloud space.

The homepage provides a scrolling banner, where you can find xTool product updates and other activity notices.
You can find your recently used projects on the homepage and open them with one click.
A project recommendation section is added on the homepage, where you can find weekly recommended high-quality projects to get inspired. After opening the project that interests you, you can click "Open in XCS" to use it. Let's start the creation journey together.
The Cloud service is named My Space. You can open your Cloud space on the homepage to manage your Cloud project files.

[New] Added the message center, allowing you to view device, system, application, and activity messages

[New] Added safety training. Users using class 4 laser machines need to complete the safety training before using them to reduce safety hazards caused by misoperation.

[Optimized] Upgraded the editor UI

Migrate device-related processing mode settings, focusing, camera alignment (for devices equipped with cameras), etc. to the top bar, and place device connection and device information at the top of the right sidebar.

Move the design functions to the top and activate them when an object is selected.

Move the design functions to the top and make them accessible when an object is selected.

[Optimized] the driver installation process: added the "No more reminders" choice for users who do not need to install the drivers. After you select "No more reminders", XCS will not prompt you to install the driver. If you've bought a new computer and need to install a driver, you can go to "Settings" > "Develop mode" to install it.

Multi-project

[New] Added the multi-project function, allowing you to open multiple projects and copy & paste objects across projects

[New] Added the multi-device connection function and the task list, allowing you to use multiple devices to perform multiple tasks at the same time and to manage the processing tasks

When you open multiple projects in XCS, you can connect one device in each project or connect one device in all the projects, and you can switch devices in one project.
During the processing of a project, you can minimize its processing page and edit other project files. In the task list in the upper-right corner, you can monitor and control the tasks, such as viewing task progress, pausing a task, or canceling a task. After a task is complete, you will receive a message in the message center.
Note: You cannot connect to two xTool F1s, M1s, P2s, or P1.5s through USB at the same time. If you need to connect multiple devices of the same model, please connect them through USB and Wi-Fi.

Material

[New] Added the one-click set array, allowing you to choose a setting based on the result reference with just one click. Besides, you can explore more materials to find more processing setting references.

[New] Added the material management window, including the popular and recommended tabs, allowing you to add and delete materials.

Processing Process

[New] Added the processing process playback function, allowing you to play or drag the progress bar to view the whole process.

[New] Added the estimated processing time for xTool F1 (currently the "Process on baseplate" mode), xTool P2, and xTool S1

Snapshot Preview And Smart Fill

[New] Added the snapshot preview and smart fill functions for xTool S1.

You can shoot the background in the XCS app on your mobile device and send the picture to XCS on the computer. Click "Shoot background" to use the function.

To shoot the background in XCS on your mobile device, you need to attach the stickers to the baseplate and complete the calibration first.

Smart fill
After obtaining the background, you can use the smart fill function to fill the object to all the materials with one click.

[New] Added the cloud algorithms for the batch fill function, improving the filling accuracy and precision, and direction determination. The batch fill function is supported by xTool S1, M1, P2, F1 Ultra, and M1 Ultra.

[Optimized] the interaction and positioning precision of snapshot preview supported by xTool M1 Ultra and S1. You can use the mobile XCS app to take a picture of the processing area and send the picture to the PC XCS. xTool M1 Ultra can achieve a precision of ±0.2mm after calibration is done.

Editor

[New] Upgraded the layer panel and added the object list, allowing users to hide and lock an object.

[New] Added the vector editing function, allowing you to edit the nodes of a vector; and optimized the pen drawing tool, allowing you to directly draw a curved line.

[New] Added hot keys to the right of function names, facilitating users' operation.

[New] Added the function for viewing text settings in real time, including typeface, style, size, leading, and spacing.

[New] Added the "Align center" function that aligns the centers of the selected objects.

[New] Added the "Select object" and "Arrange" functions to the shortcut menu of the canvas, which allow you to select a covered object and set the stacking order of an object, respectively.

[New] Added the vector scissors function for deleting a path between two nodes.

[New] Added the functions for making, editing, and releasing compound vectors.

[New] Added the kerf offset function to compensate for the cut width that makes the pieces you cut a little bit smaller than expected.

[New] Added the focus lowering function for xTool P and M series to enhance the ability of the machines to cut thick materials.

[New] Added the tab generation function for cutting to prevent the parts from falling out or moving during the cutting process.

[New] Added 16 fancy fonts, among which 10 provide the single-line style. You can find them in the text style settings.

[New] Added the vector simplification function. You can reduce the number of nodes with one click.

[New] Added the function for cropping images by ratio. You can define the crop ratio.

[New] Added the center tracing mode in image tracing, enabling you to trace the single-line vectors.

[New] Added the single-line fonts into the fonts list, allowing you to select and use a single-line font.

[New] Added the halftone filter and the CMYK channel splitting function for screen preparation.

[Optimized] Optimized the way of entering texts, allowing you to enter a text directly on the canvas.

[Optimized] Added the "Applications" tool on the left side bar and included the grid array, circular array, material test array, code generation, and smart fill functions in it.

[Optimized] Added the saving icon on the toolbar, allowing users to quickly save the project.
[Optimized] Optimized the framing function, automatically stopping framing and starting processing when you press "Process" during framing.
[Optimized] Added the hotkey "Ctrl + R"/"Command + R" to disable the auto-snapping function.
[Optimized] Optimized the selection range of the hotkey "Ctrl + A"/"Command + A" in node editing, allowing users to select a node and press the hotkey to select all the nodes in the same path.
[Optimized] Optimized the Boolean operation logic, supporting Boolean operations on non-closed vector paths.

Processing Path

[New] Added the "From bottom to top" scanning way for vector fill engraving and bitmap engraving.

[Optimized] Processing Path Function Upgrade

Upgraded the processing path planning function. Auto planning is provided for filled vectors, which significantly improves the processing efficiency. You can choose to engrave filled vectors all together or one by one. Smart scanning is provided for xTool F1.

Optimized the processing path planning for more processing modes, improving the processing efficiency.

Model	Processing mode
D	Process on flat surface, Use slide extension, Screen preparation (D1 Pro)
P	Process on slats, Process on baseplate, Baseplate removed
M1	Process on baseplate, Baseplate removed
F	Process on baseplate, Baseplate removed
S	Process on baseplate, Screen preparation

Optimized the planning of the cutting path, making it more orderly and efficient.

Processing Modes

[New] Added the screen preparation processing mode for xTool P2 and M1.

[New] Added the function for dividing a task into subtasks by layer in the screen preparation processing mode, which is applicable to multi-color printing, processing the screens by layer and by subtask.

[New] For xTool F1 Ultra Added the "Curve material" processing mode, allowing you to engrave on materials with curved surfaces (F1 Ultra firmware V011 and later recommended)

[Optimized] Changed the wording of the processing modes in English.

Automatically Recognizing

[New] For xTool F1 Ultra Added the function for automatically recognizing deviation values for fiber IR and blue-light laser calibration, allowing you to recheck the deviation values