This page describes the functions of xTool Creative Space (XCS) and how to use it to operate xTool D1 Pro.
Minimum and Recommended PC Requirements
| Item | Minimum configuration | Recommended configuration |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-6200U | Intel Core i5-11600 or higher |
| Operating system | Win 10 (64 bit) macOS 10.14 or later | |
| RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB or larger |
| Display resolution | 1280 × 720 (pixels) | 1920 × 1080 (pixels) or higher |
| Hard drive | 8 GB | 12 GB or larger |
- With the minimum configurations, all the functions of XCS can be used properly. When you import or edit a complex image, however, XCS may fail to run smoothly.
- With configurations lower than the minimum requirements, the functions of XCS may run properly, but lagging or system crash is more likely to occur, causing poor experience. Technical support may not help.
- 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. But for very complex images, lagging may still occur.
- When you run XCS on a laptop, you are advised to connect it to a power supply and turn off the energy-saving mode.
- XCS does not support Linux operating systems or ChromeOS.
- XCS does not support computers powered by Snapdragon X series.
Download and Install XCS
1. Download the xTool Creative Space software (https://www.xtool.com/pages/software) applicable to the operating system that runs on your PC.
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.
Quick start example
1. Select a language
2. Connect xTool D1 Pro to XCS
- Use the USB cable to connect your device to your computer.
- Turn on your device.
- Open XCS and click Swtich device / Connect device.
XCS automatically searches for devices and displays devices connected through a USB port or Wi-Fi.
- Click the device you want to connect.
- If you have connected your device to XCS through Wi-Fi, you can find your device on the WIFI tab.
- Alternatively, you can connect your device through an IP address.
3. Place a material
4. Create a new project, open a project file, import an image, or create your design on XCS
Create a new project
- Click New to create a new project. Confirm whether to save the previous project or not.
- Open a project file (supporting only .xcs files)
- Import an image. Currently, XCS supports the importing of only JPG, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, SVG, DXF, and WEBP files.
After importing an image, you can directly use the image or edit it to make your own design. You can add a filter, set the sharpness and grayscale, invert its color, trace its outline, and further edit it.
Note: Currently, XCS cannot parse texts included in an SVG file imported. If you want to design some texts in design software and then import them into XCS, you need to convert the texts into vector paths, export them as an SVG file, and then import it into XCS.
- Create your design
You can insert a shape, enter a text, draw vector paths, generate an image through xArt, or generate a code on the canvas.
5. Set processing information
Set the processing mode, material, processing path, and processing start point.
Note: If you use xTool materials, use the recommended settings. If you use other materials, you can set the power, speed, and pass parameters according to the settings recommended in the user manual or test your material by choosing Applications > Material test array.
6. Set object parameters
Set whether to process an object and set its processing type, power, speed, and pass.
For bitmap images, you need to set its bitmap mode, lines per cm, and engraving mode.
7. Start processing
Click Go to process to start processing.
The Preview window is as follows.
You can click Framing to preview whether the objects are to be processed as expected in the expected area. If yes, click Start to start the processing. You can click Back to cancel the processing.
This is the general process of using XCS to create your works. For details of the functions of XCS, see XCS Editor Function Overview (V2.1).
Device settings
Connect a device
Note:
- Whatever way you want to connect your device to XCS, you need to connect it to XCS by using a USB cable for the first time.
- After you connect your device to XCS through Wi-Fi or IP address, XCS can search for and find your device automatically, and you don't need to connect them through a USB cable.
USB connection
- Use the USB cable to connect xTool D1 Pro to your computer, turn on it, and open XCS.
- Click the Switch device / Connect device icon on XCS.
Wait for XCS to search for available devices.
- Click Connect device and select your device.
Wi-Fi connection
- Use the USB cable to connect xTool D1 Pro to your computer first. For details, see USB Connection above.
- After connecting your device to XCS through the USB cable, click the Device settings icon. In the dialog box that is displayed, click Settings under Wi-Fi setting.
- Enter the Wi-Fi name and password, then click Complete.
If you have connected your device to XCS through Wi-Fi network, you can find your device on the Wi-Fi tab after XCS searches for devices.
IP connection
You can enter the IP address of you device on XCS to connect it.
- After connecting your device to XCS through a USB cable, click the Device settings icon. In the dialog box that is displayed, find the IP address under Wi-Fi setting.
- Enter the IP address on the IP tab in the Connect device dialog box.
View device information and set its functions
After connecting xTool D1 Pro to XCS, click the Device settings icon and then you can view basic info and set functions for it.
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: displays the plug-in version of the device. You can click Info to view details about it.
- 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: sets the Wi-Fi name and password to set a Wi-Fi connection.
Working parameters
- Positioning mode
- Red cross: Red cross is the default laser positioning mode when you use your machine and XCS for the first time. The center of the red cross can help you to locate the laser beam.
Note: The center of the red cross may be 1 mm to 2 mm away from where the laser beam actually falls. When this happens, you can set the offset to calibrate it.
- Laser spot: Laser spot refers to a low-power beam emitted by the laser module, which can help you locate the start position for processing. After selecting Laser spot mode on the Working parameters, you can enable or disable the Laser spot mode on the Preview page.
Tips: In Red cross mode, the processing length along the x-axis is 1 cm shorter than that in laser spot mode. If you want to have the largest processing area, the laser spot mode is recommended.
- Flame alarm: After enabling the flame alarm, you can set the sensitivity of the flame sensors. If you disable the flame alarm, the flame sensor doesn't trigger any smoke alarm, buzzer, or light indicator even if it detects open flames and sparks.
- High sensitivity: When you select this option, the flame sensor is highly sensitive to open flames and sparks. When detecting an open flame or spark, the flame sensor triggers the smoke alarm, buzzer, and light indicator (blinking red) when the xTool D1 Pro is working.
- Low sensitivity: When you select this option, the flame sensor is less sensitive to open flames and sparks. When detecting an open flame or spark, the flame sensor triggers the smoke alarm, buzzer, and light indicator (blinking red) when the xTool D1 Pro is working.
- Stops when moved: When the Stops when moved function is enabled, moving the machine quickly when it is working triggers the buzzer and light indicator (blinking red).
- Limit switch: When the Limit switch function is enabled, the moving range of the laser module is limited to prevent it from hitting the side plates of the machine.
- Export elements on the canvas as Gcode: Click Export to export the canvas content as the Gcode file. Gcode file can be used in Lightburn. (xTool D series support to export Gcode only)
Object setting
Vector setting
① Output
Set whether an object is to be processed.
When you select an object and enable Output, the object is processed based on the parameter settings (processing mode, power, speed, and pass). When you disable Output, all the parameter settings for the object do not take effect, the object is not detected during framing or displayed in the Preview page, and the object will not be processed.
② Processing type
Select an object and set the processing type.
- Score: engraves only the outline of an object
- Engrave: engraves the fill of an object
- Cut: cuts the outline of an element
③ Reference or self-defined settings
Select reference settings or define settings yourself.
④ Power
Set the power for engraving or cutting.
⑤ Speed
Set the speed at which engraving or cutting is to be performed.
⑥ Pass
Set the number of processing times.
Image setting
In addition to those settings for vector paths, you can se the bitmap mode, lines per cm, and engraving mode for images.
① Bitmap mode
XCS provides multiple bitmap modes, including Grayscale, Jarvis, Bayer, Floyd, Stucki, Atkinson, and Sierra. The default mode is Grayscale.
- Grayscale
Transforms an image into the grayscale mode. A grayscale image has pixels that are formed by the shade of gray between black and white, which may be the darkest one in black or the brightest one in white. The darker the grayscale pixel, the deeper the engraving.
- Jarvis
Jarvis is a dithering mode that provides a softer transition between pixels than Floyd mode and renders good results on almost all images.
- Bayer
Looks like adding a special grid mosaic filter to an image.
- Floyd
Dithers the image by using the Floyd algorithm that diffuses the error to neighboring pixels. And the dithering is extremely subtle, resulting in a fine, less distorted, and detailed image. It is recommended for highly-detailed images but not for images with monochrome.
- Stucki
Stucki is a dithering mode that processes slightly faster than Jarvis mode and produces a cleaner and sharper image.
- Atkinson
Dithers is a similar algorithm to Jarvis and Sierra that preserves details well. But we do not recommend using it in a very dark or bright environment, where exposure may occur.
- Sierra
Sierra dithers based on Jarvis mode and they process with similar results on images. But the sharpness of Sierra is higher.
With the other settings unchanged, the output of an image on a wooden board varies according to the bitmap 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
Task setting
① Processing mode
- Process on flat surface: processes flat materials. You can process common flat materials, such as wooden board, coaster, dark acrylic sheet, and metal business card, in this mode.
- Roller – Use rotary attachment or Chunck – Use rotary attachment: processes cylindrical materials. With xTool Roatry Attachment and its accessories, you can process 90% of the common regualr and irregular cylindrical materials. For details about how use xTool D1 Pro with the rotary attachment, see Use xTool D1 Pro with RA2.
- Use slide extension: processes long materials. This processing mode works only after you extend xTool D1 Pro with the extension kit. You can purchase the extension kit at xtool.com. For details about how to use modify xTool D1 Pro with the extension kit, see Modify xTool D1 Pro with the Extension Kit.
- Screen preparation: processes screens of xTool Screen Printer. This processing mode works only for the screens of xTool Screen Printer. For details about how to engrave screens with xTool D1 Pro, see How to Engrave Screens for Printing with xTool Screen Printer.
② Material
If you use xTool materials, you can use the recommended settings for them. If you use a material produced by another manufacturer, you can set the parameters based on the recommended settings in the user manual. For the best processing results, you are advised to test the settings for your machine and materials by using the material test array provided by XCS, as described in the following:
③ Processing start point
Sets whether to determine the processing start point by relative coordinates or absolute coordinates.
Relative coords: To determine the processing start point by relative coordinates, you can move the laser module and set its position relative to that of the object to be processed.
Absolute coords: To determine the processing start point by absolue coordinates, the working area of the machine is mapped on the canvas. You can set where the object is to be processed on the material in the working area by moving the object on the canvas.
④ Processing path
Sets the processing path to auto planning or leaves it for user to define.
Auto planning: XCS automatically plans the processing path based on intelligent algorithms.
User defining: You can set the processing paths of some objects.
Start Processing
① Framing
Click Framing and press the button on the device to preview the processing area on the material.
You can click the setting button to set the speed and light power for framing.
② Go to process
After setting the parameters, click Go to process to start processing the material.
The Preview window is displayed.
- Move laser module: Moves the laser module forward, backward, to the left, or to the right. You can click the middle button and the laser module returns to the origin.
- Distance: sets the distance the laser module moves at each time; setting range: 1–400 (mm)
- Speed: sets the speed at which the laser module moves; setting range: 1–180 (mm/s)
- Laser spot: Enable or disable the laser spot mode and set the power
- Setting range: 1%–10%
Note: The laser spot is automatically disabled after you exit the working page or the processing starts. To use the laser spot positioning function, you need to select this function in Working parameters.
Note: Do not allow the laser beam to fall on the same position of a material for a long period. Otherwise, the material may get burnt.
- Origin: sets the start point of the processing on the design objects
- Estimated time: displays the estimated processing time
- Start: If the objects are to be processed as expected in the expected area, click Start to start the processing and wait for the processing to complete.
- Framing: frames the area to be processed in the working area, supporting the settings of light power and speed
Note:
- To set the power and speed for framing, you need to enable the laser spot positioning mode first.
- If the power is set too high, it may leave the burn mark even burn the materials because different materials have different properties. Please adjust the power according to the materials.
- Back: returns to the canvas
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