LaserRaster

Free Windows/Linux tool to convert images into laser engraving G-code for Marlin-based machines.

Load an image, adjust settings, export G-code — no coding required.

>>> Download Latest Release <<<

Download GCodeRaster-Setup.exe from the link above, run the installer, and launch LaserRaster from the Start Menu.

What it does

LaserRaster takes an image (PNG, JPG, BMP, WEBP, TIFF) and converts it into raster G-code that a Marlin-compatible laser engraver can execute. The laser power varies per pixel to reproduce the image as a burn on wood, leather, or similar materials.

How it works

1. Load an image — drag or browse to load your source image
2. Position on the virtual bed — drag the image on the bed preview or type exact X/Y offsets
3. Adjust settings — scale, line spacing, feed rate, laser power range, brightness, contrast, gamma
4. Export G-code — save a .gcode file ready for your machine

The app scans the image row by row (with optional serpentine/bidirectional scanning), mapping each pixel's brightness to a laser power value between your configured min and max (S0–S255). Blank areas are skipped automatically — the laser head rapids over empty space instead of slowly traversing it.

Settings overview

Setting	What it controls
Bed width/height	Your machine's work area (mm)
Scale	Image size as % of original aspect ratio
X/Y offset	Placement on the bed (mm)
Line spacing	Distance between scan lines (mm) — lower = finer detail
Feed rate	Laser travel speed (mm/min)
Min/Max power	Laser power range (S0–S255)
Brightness / Contrast / Gamma / Sharpness	Image adjustments before conversion
Invert	Swap black ↔ white
Serpentine	Bidirectional scanning (faster, less travel)
Black is hot	Whether dark pixels = more laser power
Cut outline	Optional rectangle cut around the engraved area

G-code output

• Marlin-compatible: G0/G1 moves, M3 S… for laser power, M5 for laser off
• Customisable header/footer templates with placeholders
• Coordinates in millimetres, absolute positioning
• Automatic blank-area optimisation (skips rows and gaps with no laser activity)

Requirements

• Windows 10 or later (64-bit)
• A Marlin-compatible laser engraver that accepts M3/M5 laser commands

Building from source (Linux)

Prerequisites

Python 3.10+ and the system libraries required by PySide6 / Qt:

Ubuntu / Debian:

sudo apt install python3 python3-pip python3-venv libgl1 libegl1 libxkbcommon0 libdbus-1-3

Fedora:

sudo dnf install python3 python3-pip mesa-libGL mesa-libEGL libxkbcommon dbus-libs

Arch:

sudo pacman -S python python-pip mesa libxkbcommon dbus

Download, install & run

# Download the source archive from the latest release
wget https://github.com/NeutralSystem/LaserRaster/releases/latest/download/LaserRaster-source.zip

# Extract into a package directory
mkdir LaserRaster-build && cd LaserRaster-build
unzip ../LaserRaster-source.zip -d LaserRaster

# Create a virtual environment and install dependencies
python3 -m venv .venv
source .venv/bin/activate
pip install -r LaserRaster/requirements.txt

# Run
python3 -m LaserRaster.main

License

MIT, Free to use.