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How to Set you Processing Path with Auto Planning Mode
Updated Jan 21,2025
Updated Jan 21,2025
xTool Creative Space offers two modes for processing path planning: Auto-planning and User defining, each catering to different project needs. This tutorial will introduce you to Auto planning Mode.
What is Auto Planning
Auto planning considers various factors like image parameters and spacing, employing a mix of "one-by-one" and "all together" strategies to minimize processing time, helps recognize your pattern type and processing method, and then automatically match the fastest processing path.
When selecting Auto planning as the processing path, XCS automatically plans the processing path based on intelligent algorithm.
Rules of Auto Planning
Auto Planning in Lasering on flat surface mode (including modes such as baseplate, baseplate removed modes derived from it)
STEP1 Processing all engraved vectors and bitmaps:
For models such as P/S/M/D, in the following two cases, the objects that meet either case will form a processing group.
- Objects with the same parameters, and the left-right spacing is less than 3 times the overscan distance, and there are overlapping objects up and down (Y direction).
- Objects with the same parameters and intersection.
The same processing group uses the strategy of "All together" to plan the path; Between processing groups, the greedy strategy is used to plan the empty path;
For F1&F1 Ultra: All together + smart scanning (greedy strategy in the vector).
Note: Bitmap does not use greedy strategy.
STEP 2 Processing all scored vectors
(1) Divide all elements into two groups according to different processing methods: score and cut.
(2) Finish the scoring group first, and then process the cutting group.
(3) For the objects of scoring group, the processing path is planned according to greedy algorithm.
(4) For the objects of the cutting group, the processing path is planned according to the tree algorithm from inside to outside, and the specific definition is as follows:
a. Sort all objects. The rule is: the one with small Y coordinate comes first, and the one with small X comes first when Y is the same.
b. According to the sorted order of objects, traverse the objects from the beginning.
- If an object has no sub-elements, process the objects.
- If the object has n sub-elements, recursively execute [Step B] to traverse the n sub-elements.
Other processing modes
The main difference between cylindrical processing mode and Lasering on flat surface mode:
- There is no cutting in cylindrical mode, and it is all engraved.
- Cylindrical mode is not suitable for greedy algorithm, but more suitable for scanning algorithm.
For P Series, M1 and other models:
Step 1: Processing all engraved vectors and bitmaps
- Between objects: the elements with small X coordinates are processed first, and the elements with small Y coordinates are processed first when the X coordinates are the same.
- The object itself: Processing from left to right
Step 2: Processing all scored vectors
- Between objects: greedy strategy.
For F1、D1：
Step 1: Processing all engraved vectors and bitmaps
- Between objects: the elements with large Y coordinates are processed first; when the Y coordinates are the same, the elements with small X coordinates are processed first.
- The object itself: Processing from bottom to top.
Step 2: Processing all scored vectors
Between objects: greedy strategy.
Note: What is greedy strategy?When engraving multiple objects, greedy strategy is adopted. That is, after engraving the current object, find the next object in the nearest position and start engraving.
- When engraving any vector and bitmap object, processing always starts from the upper left corner, scans from left to right, scans from top to bottom, and ends at the lower right corner.
- After engraving the last object, the laser module is at the lower right corner of the object, find the distance between this position and the upper left corner of other objects to be processed, and take the object with the shortest distance as the next object to be processed.
When to use Auto planning?
If you are a beginner and have no special requirements for the processing path, or the pattern to be processed is simple and the material is flat, it is recommended that you choose the Auto planning mode.
In this mode, you don't need to worry about the specific configuration of the processing path, and XCS
will automatically select the optimal path to provide you with the goal of obtaining the processing result in the shortest time.
How to use Auto planning?
#1 Design objects for processing
Use the tools on the left side bar to create objects. You can import images, insert shapes, enter text, or draw vectors as needed.
#2 Adjust the parameters
Adjust object parameters. When you choose the xTool recommended materials, XCS will automatically recommend the parameters for you without adjustment.
#3 Start processing
(1) Click the 
icon next to the Process button and select Auto planning. By default, your project will utilize the Auto planning mode, so you have no need to adjust it.
icon next to the Process button and select Auto planning. By default, your project will utilize the Auto planning mode, so you have no need to adjust it.
(2) Click Process and enter the preview page.
As shown in the Preview page, the red line represents the processing path, and + icon is the starting point.
By default, when selecting auto planning, the processing will start from top to bottom.
The sequence for processing multiple types in your design remains engrave-score-cut. Therefore, XCS will engrave the bitmap first, score the love vector and cut the circle finally.
In auto planning mode, From top to bottom is used by default; In User-defining mode, you can be manually set the processing path;
Preview
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