3-5 Lightburn Camera Preview Operation Guide

Description

This article will provide a detailed explanation of how to use the Beambox II Lightburn Camera Add-on with LightBurn software for camera calibration and preview features. During the process, you will use LightBurn’s “Calibrate Camera Lens” and “Calibrate Camera Alignment” functions. Please follow the steps outlined in this article to complete the setup.

If you have not yet installed the Lightburn Camera Add-on, please refer to this article for installation: LightBurn Camera Add-On

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Disclaimer

To use LightBurn with the Beambox II, please download the official version of the LightBurn software. Since LightBurn is a third-party application, FLUX is not liable for any losses that may result from its operation.

Although the Beambox II firmware has undergone extensive testing, certain features of LightBurn may still be incompatible with the machine. If errors occur due to incompatibility, please follow the instructions in the link below to properly report the issue to FLUX Customer Support. Contacting Customer Service

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Preparation Before Starting

1. Update Firmware to v6.0.12 or Later

Firmware update tutorial

2. Check Your LightBurn Version

This article is based on LightBurn v1.7.06. Please make sure you’re using the same version before you begin.

[Download LightBurn Here]
*Note: LightBurn is third-party, paid software.

 

3. Confirm the Lightburn Camera Add-on Is Installed on Your Beambox II

If you haven’t installed it yet, please refer to this Installation Guide to complete the setup.

4. 400 × 360 mm thick cardstock, wood board, or acrylic board. (Dark, matte, non-reflective)

5. Calibration Board

• 210 × 148 mm thick cardstock, wood board, or acrylic board. (flat and not warping)
• Use A4 paper to print the calibration file in black and white (File Download).
• Once printing is complete, cut along the dotted lines (making sure no dotted lines remain), and then lay it flat on top of the thick cardstock, wood board, or acrylic board.

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START

Step 1 - Connect the LightBurn Camera in LightBurn

1-1 Switch the Camera Output Source

On the machine’s panel, go to:
Machine > Hardware Settings > Camera Signal Switching > LightBurn > Save.

 

1-2 Set Up the LightBurn Work Environment

 

1-2-2 Click Import to bring in the Beambox II_Preset configuration file. Download link: Beambox II_Preset

 

1-2-3 After the import is successful, select the FLUX Beambox II profile. If you see “FLUX Beambox II” displayed in the bottom-right corner, the configuration has been set up correctly.

 

1-3 Connect Your Computer to the Machine via USB。

1-3-1 

• Take the USB-A to USB-B cable from the Beambox II accessory box.
• Plug the USB-B end into the port on the right side of the machine.
• Plug the USB-A end into your computer.

 

1-3-2

Select the Correct USB Port Name

• On Windows, the port name usually begins with COM.
• Selecting the wrong port will cause the connection to fail. You may need to try different ports.
• If the connection is successful, the machine will home (move to its origin), and information will appear in the Console tab, as shown in the example.
•  

 

If the USB Input Source Is Unavailable

• Please download and install the required drivers.
• For driver installation, refer to LightBurn Bridge Cable - Driver Installation

1-3-3 After homing, the laser head will be locked. Press Stop on the laser panel to release the motor.

 

1-4 Accessing the LightBurn Camera Feed

1-4-1

• In LightBurn, locate the Camera Control window.
• If you do not see a Camera Control tab in the main interface, go to Menu > Window > Camera Control to enable it.

 

1-4-2 Switch the camera input source and select 8M USB camera. Open the machine lid; if you see the interior of the machine on screen, the camera feed has successfully connected.

 

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Step 2 - Lightburn Camera Calitbration (Calitbrate Camera Lens)

2-1 Lower the Work Platform to the Lowest Position

On the machine panel, go to Control > Z Home. Once homing is complete, tap the top-left button to return to the main screen.

 

2-2 Lightburn Calibrate Camera Lens

2-2-1

Open Calibrate Camera Lens panel。Lightburn Menu > Laser Tools > Calibrate Camera Lens

 

2-2-2

Select 8MP USB Camera for calibration, and configure the settings as shown below. When you’re finished, click Next:

- 8M USB camera

- Fisheye Lens

- Calibration Pattern: ApriTags 6x9

 

2-2-3

Place the wooden board in the work area, then place the calibration board on top of it. Following LightBurn’s on-screen instructions, move the calibration board to the nine indicated positions within the work area and take a snapshot each time. After each snapshot, you’ll receive a score; ideally, it should be less than 0.5.

During the photo capture process, you might encounter issues such as a completely black screen, excessive distortion, or an image that appears too small. If you get any of these, try capturing a new photo, as poor-quality images can affect the final calibration result and the accuracy of the camera preview.

 

Good：

 

Bad picture:

Completely black screen.	Incomplete image.
Excessive distortion.	The usable image is too small.

 

Calibration Tips:

• Repeatedly capturing images during the calibration process is perfectly normal. If it still fails after a few tries, try moving the calibration board slightly closer to the center or rotating it before capturing again.
• If you’ve never succeeded in capturing, try raising the machine’s bed or creating a larger checkerboard pattern for recalibration.
• Keep the calibration board as flat as possible. When capturing the calibration image, avoid exposing the honeycomb bed underneath; this can affect the likelihood of a successful calibration.
• When calibrating near the top of the work area, shadows may fall on the board. To minimize this, move the machine’s X-axis beam all the way down before trying again.
• Avoid direct ambient light shining into the machine, as it can cause overly high contrast and lead to calibration detection failures.
• For more detailed tips, see the official LightBurn documentation.

2-2-4

 

2-3

Backup LightBurn’s Calibrated Camera Lens Data

Export: Camera Control > Update Overlay (right click)> Export Camera Settings.

The purpose of this export operation is to allow you to re-import the lens calibration file in case you’re not satisfied with the results after completing Step 3 – Calibrate Camera Alignment, and then simply repeat the alignment process.

Import: Camera Control > Update Overlay (right click)> Import Camera Settings.

 

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Step 3 - Lightburn Camera Calitbration (Calitbrate Camera Alignment)

3-1 Beambox II Focus

Release focus probe > Press the AF button on the panel > Place back the focus probe.

 

3-2

Beambox II XY Home

Lightburn > Laser panel > Home

 

3-3 Align the Camera with the Laser Coordinates

3-3-1 

 

3-3-2 Select Camera is over the work area... and select 8MP USB camera.

 

3-3-3 Close the door cover.

 

3-3-4

Engrave the Alignment Graphic

Set the parameters as shown below:

• Scale: 170
• Fill Speed: 50.0, Fill Power: 3.0
• Line Speed: 20.0, Line Power: 2.0
• Air Assist: On

 

3-3-5

 

3-3-6

 

3-3-7

 

3-3-8 Double-click the center points of the markings in sequence. After clicking each center point, select Next.

 

3-3-9 When you reach this page, the calibration is complete. Click Finish to close the window.

 

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Step 4 - Camera Preview

Camera Preview：Lightburn > Camera Control > Update Overlay to capture an image of the work area.

To see a clearer image, turn Fade off.

* If you do not see an image after clicking Update Overlay, repeat Step 3 or consult the official LightBurn documentation for troubleshooting.

 

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Step 5 – Backup the Camera Calibration Data

Exporting the calibration data means you won’t have to recalibrate if you switch computers. Follow these steps:

Export: In Camera Control, right-click Update Overlay > Export Camera Settings.