# Guide for Non-Planar Laser Engraving **URL:** \ **Category:** Snapmaker 2.0 (3-in-1)\ **Created:** [April 2, 2022, 2:16pm UTC](https://forum.snapmaker.com/t/guide-for-non-planar-laser-engraving/25120 "2022-04-02T14:16:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Skreelink](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex022/user_avatar/forum.snapmaker.com/skreelink/32/16398_2.png) [@Skreelink](https://forum.snapmaker.com/u/Skreelink)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2022, 2:16pm UTC](https://forum.snapmaker.com/t/guide-for-non-planar-laser-engraving/25120/1 "2022-04-02T14:16:21Z")
Sorry for taking so long to get this out, but here’s a guide following how I did the non-planar engraving examples. NOTE: This is not completely comprehensive, I’m sure there’s several ways to do this, including custom post-processors, custom tools etc. This is just the method I used and the examples within are very simple, more complex use cases can be done and may require tricks not outlined here. First off, I’m not _great_ at Fusion360 yet, my job doesn’t afford me too much time to just sit and learn it so bear that in mind for the simple objects here. Also note, this method works best with things designed in F360 and not imported mesh, specifically since you’ll want to select only certain faces and not the entire thing. If you import a mesh, you have to have F360 try to rebuild it and can become a mess with organic surfaces. Experts only going down that route, and since I’m no designer, it’s outside the scope of this guide. 🙂 Materials and Machinery in this guide: Snapmaker A350 + Enclosure + 10W Laser Module (1.6W works as well) Model to be machined: Little swoopy thing I made in fusion. 🤷‍♂️ Software: Fusion360 + Text Editor (such as Notepad++) Guide Links: > [@CNC Repeatable Origin Guide](https://forum.snapmaker.com/t/cnc-repeatable-origin-guide/23596): > > Alright, this guide is going to be a bit more quick and dirty than my other guides, since it’s mostly a setup and has a lot of variables you can play with. I’ll try to supplement with pictures though! stuck_out_tongue Keep in mind, this moves milling to the lower left of the work platform, due to the lack of rigidity, may present issue on deep/stressful cuts that apply enough pressure to deflect the surface. However most work shouldn’t be affected. A lot of things are out of the scope of this … > [@Accurate, Repeatable Laser Guide](https://forum.snapmaker.com/t/accurate-repeatable-laser-guide/22779): > > My rotary guide (found [here](https://forum.snapmaker.com/t/multi-pass-rotary-guide/22121)) seemed to be well received, so I’m going to move onto the laser. This guide will be a bit shorter, as it’s not too involved, but is mostly to help increase repeatability, accuracy, and quality of your laser projects. Likely any machinist will say a repeatable, accurate origin is a key component in quality production. You gotta know exactly where you start to know where you’re gonna end right? I know the snapmaker method is just eyeball it, be it with a mark and lini… _I_: **Preparation** 1: Measuring the depth you can laser. 1a: Since the laser modules have the black shroud and a fairly close focal point, the shroud hitting your workpiece becomes a potential issue if you’re lasering too steep of a surface. 1a: The easiest I found is simply make an object in luban, set the laser power to 1% and set the speed to slow (just so it doesn’t whip through, these values don’t matter much). Load to workspace and start it with a material height of say, 0.01mm. Pause the job and measure the distance between the shroud and the laser bed. 1b: The 10W laser appears to have 20mm to the shroud, so you may just be able to use your focal length. Mine is 29mm, and my measured distance was 9mm. The 1.6W you WILL have to unscrew the end of the shroud, since it’s normally 2-3mm above the workpiece. However, this gives you more room than the 10W and the shroud is smaller, so less chance of bumping. 2: Only use 50-60% of the resulting depth to ensure clearance for the laser shroud, unless it’s a long gradient. 2a: This image from hack-a-day (although for non-planar 3d printing) shows this better, think of the 10W as an E3D nozzle, and the 1.6W as a Merlin nozzle. (long focus chinese lasers have absolutely no problem with this, since they focus so far away, they just lack much in Z movement so that’s going to be your limitation) ![non-planar-layer-fdm_graphics-012](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex022/uploads/snapmaker/original/3X/0/a/0a8a7046cb5d3171ff76e49fea7f86974a45ab25.png) _II_: **Make A Test Model** 1: While I won’t go over design in F360, I will suggest making a test model first, something with some gentle curves, swoops, etc. 1a: This little swoopy thing is what I came up with: ![Screenshot 2022-04-02 073944](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex022/uploads/snapmaker/original/3X/a/0/a05253990f790002a137451e08d3f62684421c03.png) It’s 5mm at the top, and 1mm in the valley, so with a difference of 4mm, even at the valley, my laser shroud will be 5mm above the top. 2: Either mill or (if you’re lazy like me) 3d print your test model. **KEEP IN MIND THE POTENTIAL HAZARDS WHEN LASERING PLASTICS AND ENSURE GOOD VENTILATION** _III_: **Setting Up Laser Path** 1: If you 3d printed your model, make sure to bring it into the manufacturing section. If you milled it, you’re already there! 2: We’ll be setting up a finish pass with only ONE pass across the top since we’re engraving and we want it at the finish depth. 3: Set up a repeatable origin at the lower left. 3a: If you plan to 3d print, then laser an object **set the origin at the bottom of the model** 3b: If you mill the object, then laser it **make sure you have a repeatable origin point, either the top or bottom** You can check my CNC repeatable origin guide linked above, specifically section _ **V** _. Then you can use the CNC/Laser platforms as your repeatable origin. 3c: Follow both origin guides above to ensure you can line up with the corner origin after swapping from CNC to Laser. 4: With the origin chosen, if you do not already, make a tool with a fine tip (I used my 10 degree engraving bit setup with a 0.1mm tip). 5: Assign the tool with a finishing pass to the curves/surfaces/etc you want laser engraved. You can use any of the finishing processes you want, such as parallel or morphed spiral (which I recommend to make continuous, vs potential burning at edges on direction change). 5a: Setting up the pass, use the feedrate you want to laser engrave at, since I’m using the 10W, I set this at 3000. ![Screenshot 2022-04-02 082310](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex022/uploads/snapmaker/original/3X/e/3/e3043aecd7e0a5e4f7f3c9f77a309eeb6334e3b2.png) 5b: In the geometry tab, I used silhouette and tool center on boundary, this of course will depend on your project, model, etc. 5c: In the passes tab, set the stepover to match your laser kerf, i.e. 0.1 for the 10W, 0.2 for the 1.6W, select both ways for direction and up/down milling. 6: Review your preview to get an idea of what it will be doing. ![Screenshot 2022-04-02 082210](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex022/uploads/snapmaker/original/3X/b/b/bb502c395cad80c7a95295a98209a321b8152a63.jpeg) (note my origin is the TOP of the bottom left, I did this since I could just set my laser down on the top of the model for the origin since I 3d printed the object) _IV_: **Modifying The GCode** 1: After you’ve verified your paths, post-process as you normally would (if anyone needs, I can link my CNC guide for this). 2: Rename the resulting \ ***.cnc** file to change the file extension to \ ***.nc** so the snapmaker knows this is a laser file. 3: Open the .nc file in a text editor, there’s many changes here, but they’re rather simple and for safety. 3a: At the very top of the file, remove these two lines, they turn the spindle on and wait for the spindle to reach speed, you don’t need the laser coming on here. > M3 P100 > G4 S2 3b: Near the top, turn on the laser at the proper place. You’ll notice it starts at a safe distance (default 15mm) You’ll want to put an M3 with your power setting on the line _after_ it reaches the actual machining height. This is between the lines where X/Y actually change. > G1 X50.310 Y-0.008 Z15.000 F3000 > G1 X50.310 Y-0.008 Z-0.500 F3000 > G1 **X50.310 Y-0.008** Z-2.183 F3000 > M3 P25 S63.75 (This is 25% power, full power would be P100 S255, the PX shouldn’t be necessary though) > M3 > G1 **X50.303 Y-0.008** Z-2.252 F3000 3c: Search the document for each retract to turn the laser off to prevent burns, and to turn the laser on only when in position. The CNC will lift up (by default 5mm, so search for Z5.0) for fast travel moves, while using the CNC it isn’t a problem to leave the spindle on, for the laser, it’s important to turn it off. Use the find button in your text editor. You’ll want to turn off the laser (M5) before the retract line (Z5.0) then back on using the same info as above. > G1 X98.855 Y82.407 Z-1.476 F3000 > **M5** > G1 X98.855 Y82.407 Z5.000 F3000 > G1 X61.586 Y64.009 Z5.000 F3000 > G1 X61.586 Y64.009 Z0.004 F3000 > G1 **X61.586** Y64.009 Z-1.780 F3000 > **M3 P25 S63.75** > G1 **X61.579** Y64.009 Z-1.848 F3000 3d: At the very end of the file, move the last M5 up to before it makes the last retract move. > G1 X-0.444 Y49.990 Z-2.169 F3000 > M5 > G1 X-0.444 Y49.990 Z15.000 F3000 > G0 X0.000 Y0.000 _V_: **Run Your Project** 1: I would suggest transferring the file to the snapmaker via wifi or USB and running it locally to ensure proper origin alignment. 2: If everything goes well, you should get a result similar to this; [![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex022/uploads/snapmaker/original/3X/a/5/a5928ad49b112ec3bc1a03ba0b5e63f60d4d9db1.jpeg "Non-Planar Laser Engraving") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rx2fCjypFyE) Your laser should follow the contours and keep the proper focus height throughout your project, if there’s multiple sections, the laser should turn off, move 5mm up for safety, move to the new position, come down, and turn the laser back on to continue. _VI_: **Afterthoughts** 1: Some potential use cases come to mind, such as filling in engraved text, mocking up a real world object (such as a flask) to ensure laser focus across the curved surface, or just adding patterns. 2: You can also increase the stepover to do designs, such as doing parallel with a 0.5mm stepover, and a 2nd pass at 90 degrees to get a neat crosshatch. Use a wider stepover with the morphed spiral to get a neat effect following the outside contours similar to cocentric infill. 3: Get creative! If you decide to use this, post any results here. I’d love to see even just some test pieces, fails, what have you. 🙂 4: Feel free to drop any questions/comments and I, or other users, will try to answer them. Bonus: While I reused a lot of images from my original post about it, I figured I’d put them here as well. My attempt at an organic engrave, it was a pain to select the proper areas, but that’s just my lack of experience. ![PXL_20220320_213011444](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex022/uploads/snapmaker/original/3X/6/3/6348a32cf97d33609f306ded76fd2e8f30d05877.jpeg) [![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex022/uploads/snapmaker/original/3X/a/5/a5928ad49b112ec3bc1a03ba0b5e63f60d4d9db1.jpeg "Non-Planar Engrave 2") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlZ9BZ-7adg) ![PXL_20220320_215137021](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex022/uploads/snapmaker/original/3X/3/e/3e7f1f3298b9658841de0f17f72df77c71f5df05.jpeg) Again, props to Eastman for the model, that I butchered and squished for an engrave. ---
**Author:** ![Tomi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Tomi](https://forum.snapmaker.com/u/Tomi)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2022, 3:23pm UTC](https://forum.snapmaker.com/t/guide-for-non-planar-laser-engraving/25120/2 "2022-04-02T15:23:33Z")
👌 👌 👌 Very, very useful and interesting !!! Thanks for sharing this guide. ---
**Author:** ![Knagie](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex022/user_avatar/forum.snapmaker.com/knagie/32/17367_2.png) [@Knagie](https://forum.snapmaker.com/u/Knagie)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2022, 8:18am UTC](https://forum.snapmaker.com/t/guide-for-non-planar-laser-engraving/25120/3 "2022-04-04T08:18:27Z")
Very nice, thanks for the detailed guide! Definitely want to try and mock a flask now to etch those with the 10W laser, I have two but didn’t dare try it yet before I could figure out how to make it work with the rotary tool. They are slanted and not straight bottles. ---
**Author:** ![auggieben](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex022/user_avatar/forum.snapmaker.com/auggieben/32/20101_2.png) [@auggieben](https://forum.snapmaker.com/u/auggieben)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2022, 12:37am UTC](https://forum.snapmaker.com/t/guide-for-non-planar-laser-engraving/25120/4 "2022-04-16T00:37:57Z")
Fantastic! Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. I have a project in mind to engrave some wine glasses for my daugter’s wedding anniversary, but translating this wonderful information in conjuction with the rotary axis is quite frankly making my brain bleed. Has anyone else successfully engraved a non-planar object witht the rotary axis? Do you think Snapmaker would could eventually support this? ---
**Author:** ![Sudecki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Sudecki](https://forum.snapmaker.com/u/Sudecki)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2024, 4:04pm UTC](https://forum.snapmaker.com/t/guide-for-non-planar-laser-engraving/25120/5 "2024-05-23T16:04:26Z")
Hi everyone, I have created a python code to convert cnc file to nc. At the begining, my works was based on @Streelink posts, but i have seen that nc files are different when you create it fron Luban. ![Schema](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex022/uploads/snapmaker/original/3X/8/3/83273462a2d2f4ab7001ac7359cd533e86f1b7f5.jpeg) Code here : [sudecki30/snap\_cnc2laser: I propose you a litlle python code to convert cnc file from fusion360 for snapmarker to nc file to do non planar laser engraving (github.com)](https://github.com/sudecki30/snap_cnc2laser/tree/main) ---
**Author:** ![Sudecki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Sudecki](https://forum.snapmaker.com/u/Sudecki)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2024, 4:07pm UTC](https://forum.snapmaker.com/t/guide-for-non-planar-laser-engraving/25120/6 "2024-05-23T16:07:49Z")
Result : with more than 2 cm of vertical (Cannes FR cities) ![IMG_20240523_161458](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex022/uploads/snapmaker/original/3X/b/2/b29d4495cd3c4fe5cea8e442880d8ff3bb6e21a2.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![nweolu](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex022/user_avatar/forum.snapmaker.com/nweolu/32/23079_2.png) [@nweolu](https://forum.snapmaker.com/u/nweolu)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2024, 10:51am UTC](https://forum.snapmaker.com/t/guide-for-non-planar-laser-engraving/25120/7 "2024-05-24T10:51:31Z")
It is not very clear on how to use this python file. Do you add it to fusion library as a script? ---
**Author:** ![nweolu](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex022/user_avatar/forum.snapmaker.com/nweolu/32/23079_2.png) [@nweolu](https://forum.snapmaker.com/u/nweolu)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2024, 10:57am UTC](https://forum.snapmaker.com/t/guide-for-non-planar-laser-engraving/25120/8 "2024-05-24T10:57:00Z")
How do you match the position of the two jobs? So it engraves where it should? ---
**Author:** ![Sudecki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Sudecki](https://forum.snapmaker.com/u/Sudecki)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2024, 5:48pm UTC](https://forum.snapmaker.com/t/guide-for-non-planar-laser-engraving/25120/9 "2024-05-24T17:48:11Z")
We use the script after to convert the final file. It is not include inside postprocessor. The match position between two job are in theory automatique, because it the same work origine, only z need to be changed. As you change bits in cnc mode. In pratic, I have seen a little gap between cnc and laser. To correct it, with a pen I have designed a point who I know coordinate in the first work origin. And I create a new origin point in consequently. I hope I was clear this time 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Uriah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/8dc957/32.png) [@Uriah](https://forum.snapmaker.com/u/Uriah)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2024, 12:56pm UTC](https://forum.snapmaker.com/t/guide-for-non-planar-laser-engraving/25120/10 "2024-06-04T12:56:03Z")
I tried to see how is the result on a wine class without Z axis adjustment. No chance for a good result. 1 mm different focus is possible not more. How can we get this feature from Luban. It is really needed for different types of glasses. ---
**Author:** ![Sudecki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Sudecki](https://forum.snapmaker.com/u/Sudecki)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2024, 10:40am UTC](https://forum.snapmaker.com/t/guide-for-non-planar-laser-engraving/25120/11 "2024-06-07T10:40:11Z")
Three solution for you : - 3d printed 4th axis [https://www.instructables.com/DIY-Rotary-for-Snapmaker-20/](https://www.instructables.com/DIY-Rotary-for-Snapmaker-20/) - buy the rotary module - on fusion 360 you modeling your glass and use my script, it will be follow the surface and keep the focus (3 posts above) be aware, it will work only one a part of the glass (the glass doesn’t turn, so a big part are not visible to the laser) ---
**Author:** ![nweolu](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex022/user_avatar/forum.snapmaker.com/nweolu/32/23079_2.png) [@nweolu](https://forum.snapmaker.com/u/nweolu)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2024, 10:43am UTC](https://forum.snapmaker.com/t/guide-for-non-planar-laser-engraving/25120/12 "2024-06-07T10:43:14Z")
What Sudecki said. Non Planar is much harder math. If you want snapmaker to have some eyes on the problem and may e dedicate resources to development - show them there is a demand by filing a ticket - [https://snapmaker.formcrafts.com/support-ticket](https://snapmaker.formcrafts.com/support-ticket) ---
**Author:** ![Uriah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/8dc957/32.png) [@Uriah](https://forum.snapmaker.com/u/Uriah)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 2:45pm UTC](https://forum.snapmaker.com/t/guide-for-non-planar-laser-engraving/25120/13 "2024-12-23T14:45:30Z")
I checked other CAM software and it is possible to get this done. 😃 ![IMG_4186](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex022/uploads/snapmaker/original/3X/2/a/2afef4687ccdb0e2be4c3723cf17071ab7dfdc51.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![xchrisd](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex022/user_avatar/forum.snapmaker.com/xchrisd/32/1503_2.png) [@xchrisd](https://forum.snapmaker.com/u/xchrisd)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 8:17pm UTC](https://forum.snapmaker.com/t/guide-for-non-planar-laser-engraving/25120/14 "2024-12-23T20:17:55Z")
May share the name of the used software? ---
**Author:** ![Uriah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/8dc957/32.png) [@Uriah](https://forum.snapmaker.com/u/Uriah)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 11:18pm UTC](https://forum.snapmaker.com/t/guide-for-non-planar-laser-engraving/25120/15 "2024-12-23T23:18:38Z")
Yes fore sure. Check out DeskProto > **[DeskProto offers CNC machining for non-machinists](https://www.deskproto.com/)** > > The DeskProto 3D CAM software makes CNC easy: load a 2D DXF file, a 3D STL file or an image file, create toolpaths and send these to your 3-, 4- or 5-axis CNC milling machine. Start with downloading the Free Edition. ---
**Author:** ![nweolu](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex022/user_avatar/forum.snapmaker.com/nweolu/32/23079_2.png) [@nweolu](https://forum.snapmaker.com/u/nweolu)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2024, 1:21am UTC](https://forum.snapmaker.com/t/guide-for-non-planar-laser-engraving/25120/16 "2024-12-24T01:21:16Z")
Congrats! Does it have a post processor? How did you make snapmaker to understand deskproto g-code? ---
**Author:** ![Uriah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/8dc957/32.png) [@Uriah](https://forum.snapmaker.com/u/Uriah)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2024, 12:09pm UTC](https://forum.snapmaker.com/t/guide-for-non-planar-laser-engraving/25120/17 "2024-12-24T12:09:31Z")
Yes it has a post processor and comes with predefined setup for Snapmaker machine. Some small adjustments thats it. ---
**Author:** ![Sudecki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Sudecki](https://forum.snapmaker.com/u/Sudecki)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2025, 8:42am UTC](https://forum.snapmaker.com/t/guide-for-non-planar-laser-engraving/25120/18 "2025-05-05T08:42:31Z")
Sorry to my late answer, so great, it is an another way solution 😉