Using LaserCut 5.3 Elsewhere

While full functionality is only available on the Laser-attached PC, you can install a copy of LaserCut 5.3 elsewhere for prepping projects.

Installation

Linux:

• 1. Install Wine (eg sudo apt-get install wine)

  2. Install Winetricks (sudo apt-get install winetricks)

  3. Install MFC 42 Drivers in Wine (winetricks mfc42)

1. Download and extract LaserCut Software archive

   1. Install LaserCut 5.3 under Wine (wine <path_you_extracted_files_to>/setup.exe)

   2. Create link for LaserCut 5.3 DEMO version (Lasercut53_demo.exe)

      • eg, Link path should be 'env WINEPREFIX="/home/makeitlabs/.wine" wine C:\\LaserCut53\\LaserCut53_Demo.exe'

   3. Launch LaserCut 5.3 and see "Configuration" below

Windows:

1. Download and extract LaserCut 5.3 software

   1. Run setup.exe

   2. See "Configuration" below to copy MakeIt's configuration file.

   3. In the folder where you installed LaserCut, launch "LaserCut53_Demo.exe"  (LaserCut53.exe will fail, do NOT use this file)

Mac:

• 1. Install Wine and Winetricks (http://wiki.winehq.org/MacOSX)

  2. Follow steps 4-7 of Linux install

Configuration

To make your projects work on the MakeIt Labs big laser cutter, the configuration needs to match. To do this:

• 1. Download the syscfg.ini file for the MakeIt Labs laser

  2. Copy the syscfg.ini file to the Wine directory where LaserCut 5.3 is installed

     • eg cp syscfg.ini /home/<username>/.wine/drive_c/LaserCut53/

Use and Limitations

The Demo version of the software does not require a softdongle, but it does have two major restrictions:

No "Save" or "Save As"

Workaround: When ready to save, exit the software - it will helpfully prompt you to save the file. :)

No "Open"

Workaround 1: Saved files can be opened on the MakeIt Labs dongle-attatched PC, so do your rough import/definition work on the file and any final work at the space.

Workaround 2: Export the file as DXF or PLT, then Import. This is a terrible option, so really focus on doing your from-scratch design work in a tool that can export DXF, then use LaserCut to import and adjust for cutting, not to modify shapes.