Contents

Minimum and Recommended PC Requirements

Download and Install XCS

6. Set object parameters

Device Settings

Connect a Device

View Device Information and Set Its Functions

Image setting

Task setting

Pause, Continue, and Cancel Processing

Operate xTool D1 Pro with XCS

Updated Dec 25,2023

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
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) applicable to the operating system that runs on your PC.

(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.

Quick start example

1. Select a language

Click Settings and 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 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

Place the material to be processed in the working area of your device.

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 choose Array > 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.

6. Start processing

Click 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.

In processing, you can pause and continue the processing by clicking Pause and Continue on XCS or by pressing the button on the device.

To cancel the processing, click Cancel.

This is the general process of using XCS to create your works. For details of the functions of XCS, see xTool Creative Space (XCS) Editor Function Description.

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 Connect device on XCS.

Wait for XCS to search for available devices.

Select your device.

Wi-Fi Connection

Use the USB cable to connect xTool D1 Pro to your computer, turn on it, and open XCS.
Click Connect device on XCS.

Wait for XCS to search for available devices.

Select your device.

After connecting your device to XCS through the USB cable, you can click the settings icon to open the device information and settings window. Click Settings in Wi-Fi setting to configure the Wi-Fi network.

If you have connected your device to XCS through Wi-Fi network, you can find your device on the WIFI 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, you can find the IP address of the device in the device information and settings window.

Enter the IP address on the IP tab in the Connect device window.

View Device Information and Set Its Functions

After connecting xTool D1 Pro to XCS, you can view basic info 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
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: enable or disables flame detection. 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 / Ignore

Sets whether an object is to be processed.

When you select an object and select Output, the object is processed based on the parameter settings (processing mode, power, speed, and pass). When you select Ignore, all the parameter settings for the object do not take effect, the object is not detected during framing or displayed in the Preview window, and the object will not be processed.

② Processing Type

Select an element and set the processing type.

Score: engraves only the outline of an element

Engrave: engraves the fill of an element

Cut: cuts the outline of an element

③ 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.

④ Power

Sets the power for engraving or cutting.

⑤ Speed

Sets the speed at which engraving or cutting is to be performed.

⑥ Pass

Sets 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, Bayer, Floyd, Stucki, Atkinson, Jarvis, 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.

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.

Jarvis

Jarvis is a dithering mode that provides a softer transition between pixels than Floyd mode and renders good results on almost all images.

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 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

Bi-directional: The laser module emits light beams when it moves both from left to right and from right to left. Compared to the uni-directional mode, it takes less time to process a material. Due to backlashes, however, the processed patterns, especially the edges of the patterns, are not as clear as those processed in uni-directional mode.

Uni-directional: The laser module emits light beams only when it moves from left to right. Compared to the bi-directional mode, it takes more time to process a material, but the processed patterns are clearer.

Task setting

① Processing mode

Laser flat: processes flat materials. You can process common flat materials, such as wooden board, coaster, dark acrylic sheet, and metal business card, in this mode.
Laser cylindrical: 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.
Laser extension kit: 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 print: 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 path

Sets the processing path to auto planning or by layer.

Auto planning: Objects are processed based on the default processing path algorithm. Generally, objects are engraved first and then cut.

By layer: Objects are processed one layer by one layer, from top to bottom.

You can drag an object layer to move it up or down.

④ 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.

Start Processing

① Framing

Click to enter the Framing window 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 Process

After setting the parameters, click 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.
- Speed: sets the speed at which the laser module moves; setting range: 1–150 (mm/s)
- Distance: sets the distance the laser module moves at each time; setting range: 1-300 (mm)
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.

Safety tips: 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

Pause, Continue, and Cancel Processing

In material processing, you can click Pause and Continue on XCS or press the button on xTool D1 Pro to pause and continue the processing , respectively.