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

Download XCS

Minimum and Recommended PC Requirements

Download and Install XCS

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 right corner, click Settings, and select a language in the General panel.

Connect xTool M1 to XCS

Connect to XCS via USB cable

(1) Use the USB cable to connect xTool M1 to your computer. And turn on the device.

(2) Open XCS on your computer. On the top-right corner of XCS, click the + New project button.

 

(3) On the upper right corner of XCS, click the Switch device / Connect device icon next to the device.

Click Connect device. Select the device to connect.

Note: If you have connected an xTool device in XCS before, move the mouse pointer to the device name and click Connect in the list.

Connect to XCS via Wi-Fi/IP address

1. Connect xTool M1 to a Wi-Fi network

Assume that you have connected your device to XCS using a USB cable.

(1) Following the instructions in Connect to XCS via USB cable, connect xTool M1 to XCS by using the USB cable.

(2) In the top-right corner of XCS, click the setting icon next to the image of xTool M1.

(3) On the Device settings window, find Wi-Fi setting in Basic info. Click Setting.

Select a Wi-Fi network and enter its password, and click Next.

 

(4) Click Complete, and then you can see the IP address of xTool M1 under Wi-Fi setting. Take down the IP address.

Note: If you change the Wi-Fi setting, the IP address changes accordingly.

(5) Unplug the USB cable to disconnect xTool M1 from XCS. 

 

2. Connect xTool M1 to XCS via IP address

Assume that you have connected your device to XCS in Wi-Fi mode.

(1)  Ensure your computer connects to the same Wi-Fi as xTool M1. Under the Basic info tab, find the IP address of the device.

(2) On the upper right corner of XCS, click the Switch device / Connect device icon next to the device. Click Connect device.

(3) Select IP, and then enter the IP address of your device to connect it.

Note: If you cannot find your device through Wi-Fi, try IP connection instead.

Set up xTool M1 in XCS

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

2. In the Basic info tab, you can view:

• 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.

3. In the Working info tab, you can know:

• 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.

4. In the Device settings tab, you can set up the device and export files or logs as needed.

• Cut pressure calibration: clicks 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: clicks 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: clicks Export to export all the content on the canvas as a Gcode file. Gcode files can be run on LightBurn.
• Import Gcode: clicks Import to import a Gcode file from the local disk. Gcode files applicable to your device, exported on LightBurn, can be imported on XCS.

5. In the Working parameters tab, you can:

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

Processing settings

Processing mode

XCS which runs on the computer supports the following processing modes.

• Process on baseplate: 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

• Use rotary attachment: 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

• Baseplate removed: 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

• Screen preparation: the Screen preparation mode is developed for xTool Screen Printer, used to engrave screens for printing. For details about how to xTool Screen Printer and prepare the screens, see xTool Screen Printer. 

 

💡 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

1. Material

If you use a material launched by xTool, select your material from the window in the top right corner. 

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 the Auto-measure icon 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. 

Bitmap settings

For details about these settings, see XCS Editor Function Overview (V2.1).

Example Projects

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

Engrave a star on a 3 mm basswood board with Process on baseplate mode

1. Insert the star shape on the canvas.

2. Select the Process on baseplate processing mode.

3. Open the lid of xTool M1, place the 3 mm 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. Click the icon to set the speed and light power according to your materials, and click Framing to preview.

💡 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.

8. Click Start, and 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. Select the Blade cut processing mode.

2. Open the lid of xTool M1, and place the LightGrip cutting mat and the kraft paper on it. 

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

4. Insert the star shape on the canvas. Move the object to the position where you want it to be processed.

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

6. Set the parameters of 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.

8. Click Start, and press the button on xTool M1 to start processing.

This is what you get.

Engrave a pattern on a jewel case with Baseplate removed 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 and use riser base.

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.

⚠️ Note: Ensure that the surface of the material to be processed should be higher than the bottom of xTool M1 (0 < h ≤ 15 mm).  For more details, go to User Guide for Riser Base with Honeycomb Panel.

4. Select the Baseplate removed 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. Design an object. Move the object to the position where you want it to be processed.

7. Set the processing parameters for it.

8. Set the parameters of framing.

 

9. 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.

10. Click Start, and press the button on xTool M1 to start processing.

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 editor functions

You can use the XCS editor to design your own objects for processing. For details about the editor functions of XCS, see XCS Editor Function Overview (V2.1).