Contents

Processing settings

Processing mode

Material settings

Example Projects

Engrave a Star on a 3 mm Basswood Board with Laser Flat Mode

Cut a Star from the Kraft Paper with Blade Cut Mode

More examples

Use xTool Creative Space (XCS) to Operate xTool M1

Updated Jan 18,2024

This page describes the functions of xTool Creative Space (XCS) and how to use it to operate xTool M1.

Connect xTool M1 to XCS

Minimum and Recommended PC Requirements

Item	Minimum configuration	Recommended configuration
Processor	Intel Core i5-6200U	Intel Core i5-11600
Operating system	Win 10 (64 bit) macOS 10.14 or later
RAM	8 GB	16 GB
Display resolution	1280 × 720 (pixels)	1920 × 1080 (pixels) or higher
Hard drive	8 GB	12 GB

With the minimum configurations, all the functions of XCS can be used properly. When you import a complex images, such as an image larger than 50,000,000 pixels or an SVG image larger than 1 MB, 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) Download the xTool Creative Space software: https://www.xtool.com/pages/software

(2) Double-click the software you've downloaded to install it.

Click Yes when you are asked "Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?" and then continue the installation as prompted.

(3) Open XCS, click the icon

in the top-left corner, and select a language in the pop-up window.

Connect xTool M1 to XCS

Use the USB cable to connect your device to your computer.
Turn on your device.
Open XCS on your computer. On the top-right corner of XCS, click Connect device.

4. On the Devices list, click the name of your device to connect it.

For details about how to connect your device to XCS in Wi-Fi or IP mode, see how to connect your device in Wi-Fi or IP mode.

💡 Note:

After the device is connected, you can configure Wi-Fi for the device. This way, you can connect xTool M1 to XCS through Wi-Fi next time.

Set up xTool M1 in XCS

On the top right corner of XCS, click the gear icon next to the xTool M1 image to open the device setting window.

2. Set up xTool M1 based on your needs.

Basic information

Device name: sets the name of your device
Laser model: displays the model of the laser module
Serial number: displays the serial number of your device
Plug-in version: optimizes the entire laser processing workflow at maximum efficiency. To know more details, go to Plug-In Functions & Benefits Explained.
Firmware version: displays the firmware version of the device. You can click Check for updates to check for later versions and update the firmware.
Wi-Fi setting: displays the IP address of your device. You can click Setting to enter the Wi-Fi name and password to set a Wi-Fi connection.

Working information

Working time: displays the total time the device processing materials
Operating times: displays the total number of times the device has been operated
Standby time: displays the total time the device is on standby
Work log: You can click Export to export the work log of the device.

Setting

Cut pressure calibration: You can click Reset to restore the factory calibration settings or click Calibrate to execute cut pressure calibration. With cut pressure calibration, the blade cutting function can be improved. For details about the operation, see "How do I perform cut pressure calibration on xTool M1?"
Backlash: You can click Test to test the engraving deviation when the laser module moves in a reverse direction.
Process what you draw: This is an offline function. The device can recognize what you draw and process it without connecting to XCS, and you can set how it works.
- Laser engrave black patterns: engraves patterns that you draw in black
- Laser cut black outline: cuts outlines that you draw in black
- Laser cut red outline: cuts outlines that you draw in red
Export elements on the canvas as Gcode: You can click Export to export all the content on the canvas as a Gcode file. Gcode files can be run on LightBurn.
Import Gcode: You can click Import to import a Gcode file from the local disk. Gcode files applicable to your device, exported on LightBurn, can be imported on XCS.

Working parameters

Fill light brightness: sets the brightness of the fill light for the camera
Time the fan continues to work: sets the time the exhaust fan continues to work after the machine stops processing

Processing settings

💡 Note:

If you use a material launched by xTool, you can select it from the material list and use the default parameter settings.
If you use a material produced by another manufacturer, you can modify the parameters based on the settings recommended for xTool materials or your own tests.

Processing mode

XCS that runs on the computer supports the following processing modes:

Laser flat: processes flat materials by using laser beams. With this function, you can engrave or cut common flat materials, such as wooden boards, coasters, dark acrylic, and metal sheets.

Processing material size	385 mm * 300 mm
Maximum processing thickness	16 mm
If the baseplate is required	Yes
If the honeycomb panel is required	No
Supported processing modes	Score Engrave Cut
Supported image types	Vector Bitmap

Laser cylindrical: processes cylindrical materials by using laser beams. With this function and xTool Rotary Attachment 2 (RA2) and its accessories, you can use xTool M1 to process 90% of daily used regular and irregular cylinders. For details about how to use xTool M1 with RA2, see How to Use xTool M1 with Rotary Attachment 2 (RA2).

Processing material size	270 mm * 385 mm
Focusing range (initial position of the baseplate is 0)	-19 mm – 16 mm
If the baseplate is required	No
If the honeycomb panel is required	Optional
Supported processing modes	Score Engrave
Supported image types	Vector Bitmap

Open plane: processes large-area or thick materials, with the baseplate of xTool M1 removed. It is recommended that you process it with the riser base.

Processing material size	385 mm * 270 mm
Focusing range (initial position of the baseplate is 0)	-19 mm – 16 mm
If the baseplate is required	No
If the honeycomb panel is required	Optional
Supported processing modes	Score Engrave Cut
Supported image types	Vector Bitmap

Blade cut: processes materials by using the blade module. With this function, you can cut kraft paper, stickers, leather, and so on. Note that when using this function, a cutting mat is required to protect the baseplate of xTool M1.
Print & blade cut: processes materials where one or more patterns are printed by using the blade module. For details about how to use the print & blade cut function, see Use the Print & Blade Cut Function of xTool M1.

Processing material size	365 mm * 300 mm
Maximum processing thickness	1.5 mm
Knife pressure	45 g – 360 g
If the baseplate is required	Yes
If the honeycomb panel is required	No
Supported processing modes	Blade cut
Supported image types	Vector

💡 Note 1:

Before using the print & blade cut function, ensure that a printer is available.
The maximum processing area is 269 mm × 182 mm. Ensure that the pattern to be printed is within the processing range.
When you use the print & blade cut function, the design elements to be processed must include both a bitmap image and vector path. The bitmap image is to be printed, and the vector path is to be cut.

💡 Note 2:

There is a fixed focusing range of xTool M1 laser module. If the surface of the material is beyond the range, processing may fail. It is important to ensure that the surface of the material to be processed is within the focusing range when processing. For more details, go to User Guide for Riser Base with Honeycomb Panel.

	Range of focusing	Range of XCS auto-focus
Laser flat	0 – 16 mm	0 – 16 mm
Laser cylindrical	-19 mm – 16 mm	0 – 34 mm
Open plane	-19 mm – 16 mm	0 – 34 mm
Blade cut	No focusing required	No measurement required

Material settings

1. Material

If you use a material launched by xTool, select your material from the drop-down list box. If you use one purchased from another manufacturer, set it to User-defined material, and set the processing parameters based on those recommended for xTool materials or your own tests.

2. Thickness

If you use a user-defined material, you can click Auto-measure to enable XCS to measure the thickness of the material. If auto-measure fails, use a caliper to measure it and enter its thickness.

3. Height raised

If you have raised your material by using triangular prisms, select Triangular prism.

4. Processing path

Select the processing order according to your needs.

Auto planning: Laser engraving is the first order, and laser cutting is the next order.

By layer: Processes by layer from the top to bottom

Object settings

Vector settings

1. Object type

Displays the type of the selected object, either vector or image

2. Output or Ignore

Sets whether an element is to be processed

When you select an element and select Output, the element is to be processed. When you select Ignore, the element will not be processed.

3. Processing mode

Sets the processing type of the selected object

The processing types are described as follows:

Score: engraves only the outline of an element

Engrave: engraves the fill of an element

Cut: cuts the outline of an element

4. Setting selection

Selects a setting

A setting is a set of parameters (including power, speed, and pass) you've set. After you set the parameters, you can save them as a custom setting, and all the settings saved will be displayed in the Setting drop-down list box. When you select Manual setting, you need to set the parameters one by one. When you select a setting, the parameter values you saved before can be used.

5. Power

Sets the processing power

6. Speed

Sets the processing speed

7. Pass

Sets the number of processing times

Bitmap settings

For bitmap processing, additional settings are provided.

1. Bitmap mode

XCS provides multiple bitmap modes, including Grayscale, Bayer, Floyd, Stucki, Atkinson, Jarvis, and Sierra. The default mode is Grayscale.

Grayscale

Transforms an image into one of the shades of gray mode, in which a pixel is formed by a shade of gray that can be the darkest one (black), the brightest one (white), or one between them. The darker the pixel, the deeper the engraving.

Bayer

Transforms an image into one in Bayer mode, which looks like adding a grid mosaic filter on the image.

Floyd

Dithers an image by using the Floyd algorithm that diffuses the error only to the neighboring pixels, producing find-grained wave-like patterns on the image. It is recommended for highly-detailed images instead of those containing monotone swatches of color.

Jarvis

Dithers an image by using the Jarvis algorithm that diffuses the error to 12 pixels around a pixel. Compared with Floyd, the transitions between pixels are slower, which produces a very nice looking pattern on almost all images.

Stucki

Dithers an image in a similar way to Jarvis. Compared to Jarvis, the transitions between pixels are faster, which produces clean and sharp images.

Sierra

Implemented based on the Jarvis algorithm, achieving a similar effect while producing sharper images.

Atkinson

Dithers an image in a way similar to Jarvis and Sierra while producing sharper images. The Atkinson algorithm can preserve the details of an image well but the very dark or bright area may look disappeared.

With the other settings unchanged, the output of an image on a wooden board varies according to image mode, as shown in the following figure. You can select a mode as required.

2. Lines per cm

Sets the number of lines in one centimeter. This parameter determines the resolution of the image to be engraved.

3. Engraving mode

Sets the bi-directional or uni-directional engraving mode for bitmaps and filled vector paths

XCS editor functions

You can use the XCS editor to design your own objects for processing. For details about the editor functions of XCS, see “xTool Creative Space (XCS) Editor Function Description.”

Example Projects

You can start with a simple project. The following are some examples.

Engrave a Star on a 3 mm Basswood Board with Laser Flat Mode

1. Place the material

Open the lid of xTool M1, and place the 3 mm basswood board on the baseplate.

2. Open, create a project or insert a pattern

You can open a project to start processing or create a new project. If you create a new project, you need to design patterns and set parameters from scratch.

Open a project

In the upper left corner of XCS, click the icon and select Open project... In the pop-up window, select a file of type xTool Creative Space Project (. xcs) and click Open.

Note: The project file can contain information such as processing patterns, processing modes, and processing parameters. However, if the machine model, processing mode, or material thickness used in the project varies from the current situation, you need to reset the corresponding parameters.

Create a new project

When you open XCS, a new blank project will be created by default. You can click the icon and select Save in the upper left corner of XCS to name and save the project.

Insert a pattern

Click Shape, select and insert a star shape on the canvas.

Move the object to the position where you want it to be processed.

3. Select the processing mode

Select the Laser flat processing mode.

4. Measure the thickness of the material

To measure the thickness of the material to be processed. You can select the recommended material and the thickness is measured automatically.

5. Set parameters for processing

Set processing parameters for the object to be processed.

6. Set the parameters of framing

There are two ways to set.

The first way: Click the setting icon to set the speed and power according to your materials and click Framing to preview.

The second way: Click Process to enter the Preview window. Click the setting icon to set the speed and power of framing. Then click Framing.

💡 Tips:

If the speed of framing is too fast or the power of the laser module is too low to preview the processing area clearly, you can set the speed and power and then start framing.
If the power is set too high, it may leave a burn mark even burn the materials because different materials have different properties. Please adjust the power according to the materials. The speed range is from 80mm/s to 180mm/s. The power range is from 1% to 10%.

7. Start framing

(1) Close the lid of xTool M1, and then click Framing in the software. Press the button on xTool M1 to start framing.

(2) After you confirm that the processing area is proper, click 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.

Then click Process. Click Start.

(3) You can see the page below.

8. Start processing

Press the button on xTool M1 to start processing.

This is what you get after the processing.

Cut a Star from the Kraft Paper with Blade Cut Mode

1. Place the cutting mat

To use the Blade cut function, you need to use the adhesive cutting mat. Or the baseplate may be scratched by the blade.

Open the lid of xTool M1, and place the cutting mat on it.

2. Open, create a project or insert a pattern

You can open a project to start processing or create a new project. If you create a new project, you need to design patterns and set parameters from scratch.

Open a project

In the upper left corner of XCS, click the icon and select Open project... In the pop-up window, select a file of type xTool Creative Space Project (. xcs) and click Open.

Create a new project

When you open XCS, a new blank project will be created by default. You can click the icon and select Save in the upper left corner of XCS to name and save the project.

Insert a pattern

Click Shape, select and insert a star shape on the canvas.

Place the material to be processed on the mat, and move the object to the position where you want it to be processed.

3. Select the processing mode

Select the Blade cut processing mode.

4. Set parameters for processing

Set processing parameters for the object to be processed.

5. Set the parameters of framing

There are two ways to set.

The first way: Click the setting icon to set the speed and power according to your materials and click Framing to preview.

The second way: Click Process to enter the Preview window. Click the setting icon to set the speed and power of framing. Then click Framing.

💡 Tips:

If the speed of framing is too fast or the power of the laser module is too low to preview the processing area clearly, you can set the speed and power and then start framing.
If the power is set too high, it may leave a burn mark even burn the materials because different materials have different properties. Please adjust the power according to the materials. The speed range is from 80mm/s to 180mm/s. The power range is from 1% to 10%.

6. Start framing

(1) Close the lid of xTool M1, and then click Framing in the software. Press the button on xTool M1 to start framing.

Then click Process. Click Start.

(3) You can see the page below.

7. Start processing

Press the button on xTool M1 to start processing.

This is what you get.

Engrave a Pattern on a Jewel Case with Open Plane Mode

1. Measure the height of the jewel case.

The height of the jewel case is higher than 16 mm. You need to remove the baseplate.

2. Loosen the screws of the baseplate and remove the baseplate of xTool M1.

Put xTool M1 on the riser base, and place the honeycomb at the level α.

4. Select the Open plane processing mode.

5. Place the case in the working area, and click the Auto-measure icon.

6. Move the object to the position where you want it to be processed.

7. Set the processing parameters for it.

8. Press the Process button.

9. Preview the object and click Process.

10. Press the button on xTool M1.

This is what you get.

More examples

To process regular and irregular cylindrical materials, see How to Use xTool M1 with Rotary Attachment 2 (RA2)
To process materials where one or more patterns are printed by using the blade module, see Use the Print & Blade Cut Function of xTool M1.

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