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
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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.
💡 Note: If your computer is M1/M2 chips of MacOS, select the correct version to download.  |
in the top-left corner, and select a language in the pop-up window..png)
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:
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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:
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💡 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.
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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
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 .png)
and select Open project... In the pop-up window, select a file of type xTool Creative Space Project (. xcs) and click Open.
.png)
| 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 .png)
and select Save in the upper left corner of XCS to name and save the project.
.png)
- 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.
💡 Note:  If you have raised your material by using triangular prisms, select Triangular prism. Or click the Auto-measure icon to measure the thickness.  |
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:
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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.
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.
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:
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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.
(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.
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.
⚠️ Note: Ensure that the surface of the material to be processed should be higher than the bottom of xTool M1 (0 < h ≤ 15 mm).  |
4. Select the Open plane processing mode.
5. Place the case in the working area, and click the Auto-measure icon.
💡 Note： If the surface of the material is lower than the bottom of xTool M1, autofocusing may fail. The pop-up window indicates "Auto-measure failed". At this time, click "Manual-measure" to enter the distance manually. Visit M1 Manual Focusing Tutorial in Open Plane Mode to learn more.  |
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.
