Use xTool Creative Space (XCS) to Operate xTool M1

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

Minimum and recommended PC requirements

Obtain and install XCS

Connect xTool M1 to XCS

Processing modes

Example projects

• • Engrave a star on a 3 mm basswood board
  • Cut a star from the kraft paper
  • Engrave a pattern on a jewel case

More examples

XCS Function description

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 image, 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.

Obtain 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.

 

Connect xTool M1 to XCS

(1) Use the USB cable to connect your device to your computer.

(2) Turn on your device.

(3) Open XCS and click Connect Device.

Processing modes

XCS supports multiple processing modes for xTool M1.

The processing modes are described as follows:

• 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.
• 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).
• 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.
• 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.

💡 Note:

• 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.

Example projects

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

Engrave a star on a 3 mm basswood board

1. Insert a star shape on the canvas.

2. Select the Laser flat processing mode.

3. Place a basswood board on the baseplate, and move the object to the position where you want it to be processed.

4. 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 processing parameters for the object to be processed.

6. Set the parameters of framing. There are two ways to set.

• Click the setting icon to set the speed and power according to your materials and click Framing to preview.

• Click Start 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. Press the button on xTool M1 to start framing.

8. Click Framing completed and go back. Click Start.

9. Press the button on xTool M1 to start processing.

10. Wait for the processing to complete.

This is what you get after the processing.

Cut a star from the kraft paper

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

2. Insert the star shape on the canvas.

3. Select the Blade cut processing mode.

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

5. Select the material and measure the thickness of it.

6. Set processing parameters for the object to be processed.

7. Click Framing to preview the object. Then click the Process button.

8. Press the button on xTool M1.

9. Wait for the processing to complete.

10. This is what you get.

Engrave a pattern on a jewel case

1. Measure the height of the jewel case.

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

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

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

⚠️ 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.

11. Wait for the processing to complete.

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.

XCS Function description

💡 Note:

When you use XCS, some functions may be unavailable in some scenarios, displayed in gray. This is what it is supposed to be. These functions are described as follows:

• Smart fill

This function is available only after you have connected your device to XCS. Note that this functions is supported only for machines with cameras, such as xTool M1. Machines without cameras, such as the xTool D series, do not provide this function.

• Align

This function is available only after you have selected two or more design elements.

• Combine

This function is available only for vector elements and can be used only after you have selected two vector elements.

Menus

① Settings

• General

• Unit: sets the unit for displaying the size and position of a design element
• Hot keys: You can click View to view all the hot keys supported by XCS
• Auto-snapping: enables or disables the auto-snapping function of the canvas. The function is enabled by default.

• When it is enabled, guides appear when you move an element on the canvas to help you align the element with another element or the grids.

• • • When it is disabled, no guide appears when you move an element. 

• • Precise vector path selection: By default, this function is disabled.

When this function is disabled, you can select a vector path by clicking on the selection box of it. The selection boxes of multiple vector paths, however, may overlap, causing difficulty in selecting the target vector path.

As shown in the following figure, it is difficult to select the purple line because it is located within the selection box of another line.

When this function is enabled, no selection box is provided for vector paths. You need to move the mouse pointer close to a line to select it. In this way, you can select a vector path without the selection box interfering.
As shown in the following figure, you can select a line by moving the mouse pointer close to it and then clicking.

• Precise DXF file parsing: sets whether to parse DXF files with new algorithms. The new algorithms ensure better parsing results without line missing or deformation and therefore use more PC memory. It is disabled by default. You are advised not to enable this function when your DXF files are properly parsed on XCS.
• Imported image too large for the canvas: sets how to process an imported image that is too large for the canvas, including the following options:
  • Ask me every time: XCS asks you every time when you import an image that is too large for the canvas.

•  

• • • Auto-scale it: XCS automatically scales an image that is too large for the canvas when you import it.

• • • Keep its size: XCS displays an image that is too large for the canvas in the original size when you import it.

• Language: sets the language of the UIs
• Custom parameter settings: allows you to export the processing parameter settings you've saved before or import parameter settings into XCS from a local disk
• Software update: displays the software version and checks for later versions
• About: displays information about the software

• Developer mode

Update the firmware anyway: click Start to open the firmware update tool. Currently, the firmware update tool is applicable only to xTool D1 and xTool D1 Pro to update its firmware to the latest version or a local firmware version.

② File

• New: creates a new project file
• Open project...: opens a local project file, supporting only .xcs files
• Import image...: import an image file. Currently, XCS supports the importing of only JPG, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, SVG, DXF, and WEBP files.
• Save: saves all the changes to the project
• Save as: saves the project to another file 

Project name

It displays the name of the project, and you can double-click it to enter a project name.

Links

• Announcement: links to the announcement window of XCS, where you can find the latest announcement released
• Community: links to the XCS community, where you can find more information about XCS, share your projects, discuss with others, and get inspired
• Projects: links to the example project center, where you can find various example projects
• Support: links to the xTool support website, where you can find online help for xTool products
• Shop: links to the xTool online store, where you can purchase xTool products, accessories, and materials

Vertical toolbar

Image: click to import an image Insert: click and select to draw a basic shape Shape: click to insert a shape Text: click to insert a text Vector: click to draw a vector path xArt: click to enter your prompt or upload an image to generate a new image Select: click to select one or more elements Hand: click to move the canvas by dragging it

• Image: click to image an image. Currently, XCS supports the importing of only JPG, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, SVG, DXF, and WEBP files.

💡 Note:

Currently, text objects can't be properly parsed on XCS. If you are to import an SVG file including texts, please convert the texts into paths and then import the SVG file into XCS, so that the SVG image can be properly processed.

If you import a bitmap image, you can set it by using the image setting panel on the right after importing it.

• • Filter: You can add a grid filter for the image.

• • Sharpness: With other settings unchanged, sharpness is related to the clarity of detail in an image.

• • Grayscale: The grayscale is related to the contrast of light and shade. Slide the block on the left to the middle to enhance the shade. Slide the block on the right to the middle to enhance the light.

• • Invert: You can invert the colors of a bitmap image. This function can be useful for the processing of some dark materials, such as engraving bitmap images on transparent or translucent acrylic, black slates, ruber, and mirrors. The engraving results can be improved by using this function.
    XCS supports color inverting of black-and-white, grayscale, and color bitmap images, as described in the following:
    • Black-and-white images: White pixels are inverted into black ones, and black ones are inverted into white ones.

• • • Grayscale images: Light pixels are inverted into dark ones, and dark ones are inverted into light ones.

• • • Color images: A color image is converted into a grayscale image first, and then light pixels are inverted into dark ones, and dark ones are inverted into light ones.

💡 Note:

For an image with a transparent or translucent background, the background is not inverted, and only the colors of the pixels in the image are inverted.

In addition to the preceding settings, you can further edit an image.

• • Magic wand: deletes the area you want to delete from the image

Fuzziness: This parameter is available only for the magic wind, indicating the range of pixel colors you delete at a time. The larger the value, the wider the color range, that is, the colors of the pixels to be deleted can be quite different; the smaller the value, the narrower the color range, that is, the colors of the pixels to be deleted are very similar.

• • Eraser: erases the area where you click from the image

Size: This parameter is available only for the eraser, indicating the size of the eraser. The larger the value, the larger the eraser.

• • Crop: keeps the area you select

• Insert: selected to draw a common shape. You can press Shift to draw a square, circle, or horizontal or vertical line.

• Shape: click to insert a shape

• Text: click to insert a text. The default text is HELLO. After inserting the text, you can change the words, and set the font size, typeface, style, spacing, leading, and aligning mode. In addition, you can weld the character strings in a text.

Weld
This function is used to unite the character strings that overlap one another partially in a text. After being welded, the text becomes vector paths and the text setting panel is not displayed after you select it.

If no character strings overlap one another partially in the text, the text looks the same but becomes vector paths after you weld it, and the text setting panel is not displayed after you select it.

• Vector: selected to draw a vector path

You can press the Esc key or click any other menu to finish the drawing.

After drawing a vector path, you can double-click it to edit it as follows:

• • Double-click an anchor point to convert it to a rounded corner or back to a corner.
  • Drag an anchor to change the curvature.

• xArt: click to enter the xArt image generation portal, where you can generate images by entering prompts or uploading images. Currently, this is a beta function and is being improved. If you use xArt for the first time, you need to sign up an account and get your initial points, and every time you use xArt to generate an image, a number of points is cost.

• Select: click and select one or more items

• • Select one element: click an item to select it
  • Select multiple elements:
    • Way 1: drag the mouse pointer over all the elements to be selected
    • Way 2: hold down the Shift key on the keyboard and click the elements to be selected. When holding down the Shift key, you can click an element again to deselect it.

Note: When multiple elements are of the same type, you can set processing parameters for them at a time. But for those of different types, you need to set processing parameters for them separately.

• Hand: selected to move the canvas by dragging the mouse.

Horizontal toolbar

Undo: cancels the last action Redo: performs the last action again Outline: adds an outline to an element Array: creates multiple copies of an element at a time Smart fill: duplicates a design element for multiple materials Group: groups two or more elements Ungroup: ungroups the grouped elements	Align: aligns two or more elements Arrange: arranges the order of an element Combine: combines two or more vector paths Reflect: reflects an element horizontally or vertically Position: sets the position of an element on the canvas by the x and y coordinates Size: displays or sets the size of an element Rotate: rotates an element by angle

• Undo: cancels the last action
• Redo: performs the last action again
• Outline: adds an outline to the elements. In addition to adding outlines for bitmaps, vector paths, and texts, you can add inner outlines for bitmaps with transparent backgrounds.

If the background of a bitmap image is not transparent, when the offset distance is a positive value, the outline is outer. When the offset distance ia s negative value, the outline is inner.

If the background of a bitmap image is transparent, you can select Add inner outline for bitmap to add an inner and outer outline for it.

• Array: creates multiple copies of an element at a time and lays them out in grid or circular mode. Select an element, choose an array mode, and complete the settings.

• Smart fill: duplicates a design element for multiple materials, helping you process multiple materials at a time. Edit your design for one material, and then click Smart fill. The same design is generated for other materials.

• Group: groups two or more elements you've selected
• Ungroup: ungroups the elements you've grouped
• Align: aligns multiple elements

For example, to align the elements shown in the following figure.

• • Align left
  •  
  • Horizonral align center
  •  
  • Align right
  •  
  • Align top
  • 
  • Vertical align center
  • 
  • Align bottom
  • 

For example, to distribute the elements shown in the following figure.

• • Distribute horizontally
  • 
  • Distribute vertically

• Arrange: arranges the order of elements. You can bring an element to front or send it to back, or bring it forward or send it backward one layer by one layer.

For example, to arrange the elements shown in the following figure.

• • Bring forward
  • 
  • Bring to front
  • 
  • Send backward
  •  
  • Send to back

• Combine: combines two or more elements

When you unite the two elements:

When you subtract the two elements:

When you unite the two elements at overlap:

When you subtract the two elements at overlap:

• Reflect: reflects an element horizontally or vertically

When you reflect the element horizontally:

When you reflect the element vertically:

• Position: sets the position of an element on the canvas by the x and y coordinates. The point (0, 0) is in the upper left corner. By default, when you insert a shape or import an image, it is positioned in the upper middle of the canvas. The unit can be set in Settings.

• Size: displays or sets the size of an element. The unit can be set in Settings.

Tips: The width-to-height ratio of an image or element is locked when you import or insert it on XCS. You can click the lock icon to unlock the ratio so that you can change the width and height of the image or element as you like.

• Rotate: rotate an element by angle. A positive value indicates rotating clockwise, and a negative one indicates rotating counterclockwise.

Canvas

Design and edit elements

On the canvas, you can design elements or set and edit an imported image for processing a material.

In addition, if a device with a camera is connected, you can preview the positions of the material and design elements before processing.

Manage canvases

You can add, delete, or rename a canvas. A project file can include multiple canvases to store multiple design elements.

Zoom in/out the canvas

You can zoom in or out the canvas or fit the canvas on the screen. The maximum zoom-in scale is 4000%. After setting the scale to 1000%, you can click "+" to further zoom in the canvas.

Shortcut menus

When you right-click on the blank space of the canvas, the following shortcut menu is displayed.

• Paste: pastes an element that has been copied
• Select All: selects all the elements on the canvas
• Zoom in: zooms in the canvas
• Zoom out: zooms out the canvas

Manage object layers

If your objetcs to be processed are complicated, you can define your objects on multiple layers to manage them more easily.

When you design an image, you can define the objects to be processed in the same way as the same layer, and then you can select them at a time by clicking the layer and set processing parameters for all of them.

For example, select layer 3 and set processing parameters for them at a time.

In addition, you can move an object to another layer. After the moving, however, you need to set the processing parameters for the object. The settings of the layer do not automatically take effect for it. If you move an object to a new layer, the layer is created.

Tips: When designing a complicated pattern or image, you are advised to set the objects or elements in different colors, so that XCS can define the objects as different layers after you import the image file.

Device settings

Connect a device 

1. Use the USB cable to connect your device to your computer, and turn on your device.

2. Open XCS and click Connect Device.

Wait for XCS to search for available devices.

3. Select your device.

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. 

View device information and set its functions

After connecting a device to XCS, you can view operating information and set functions for it.

• Basic info

• • 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
  • 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.

Material settings

① Processing type

You need to choose a processing mode based on your material.

The processing modes are described as follows:

• 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.
• 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).
• 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.
• 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.

💡 Note:

• • 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.

② 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.

③ 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.

④ Height raised

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

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

Start processing

1. After setting the parameters, set the framing parameters.

There are two ways to set.

• Click the setting icon to set the speed and power according to your materials and click Framing
  to preview.

• Click Start 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%.

2. The Preview window is displayed.

3. You can zoom in or out the object, or restore it to fit on screen during preview.
4. Click Start in the upper right corner.
5. Press the button on the device to start the processing.

You can also click Cancel to cancel the processing.

6. Wait for the processing to complete.