GPath Laser
Machine setup
Last updated Jul 31, 2026, 5:19 PM
Laser machine profiles store the settings GPath Laser needs for your controller:
- max S
- work area
- reference point
- post-processor
- and connection type.
You configure profiles in Laser operations > Laser machine setup, either before you draw, or at any time inside a project.
When a profile is applied
| Situation | What happens |
|---|---|
| New Laser Project and you have at least one saved machine | The default machine (marked ★ in setup) is linked to the project. Canvas size and reference point come from that profile. |
| New Laser Project and no machines are saved yet | A 300 × 300 mm canvas opens with Center reference. No machine is linked until you add one and select it in the project. |
| Existing project | Use the machine dropdown in the Connection tab (Laser operations sidebar) to link a different profile. Work area updates for empty projects; reference-point changes reposition existing geometry. |
Set Make default on the machine you use most often so that profile is used automatically for every new laser project.
Open Laser machine setup
From inside a project:
- Laser operations → Laser machine setup… (top menu)
- Setup in the Connection tab of the Laser operations sidebar
Your machines list
The main setup window shows every saved profile and global options.
Auto-home when connected
When enabled, GPath sends $H after a USB laser connects (manual or auto-connect). This automatically moves the laser to the home position when a connection to a machine is established.
Adding a new machine
Two side-by-side actions sit below your machine list:
| Action | Use when |
|---|---|
| Detect connected machine | Your laser is plugged in over USB. GPath scans serial ports, reads the controller, and adds a profile to your list. Currently supports GRBL based controllers. |
| Add new machine | Pick a built-in template or define a custom profile manually |
When a new laser is connected for the first time via USB, the device is automaically added to your list of devices.
Each saved machine
Visit laser operations > laser machine setup to view connected machines. Each row shows a summary (brand, model, max S), default M4/air-assist flags, and:
- ★ — current default for new projects (Make default is hidden for this row)
- Make default — use this profile when you click New Laser Project
- Remove — delete the profile from your list
- Edit profile — expand to adjust max S, device name, controller, work area, reference point, feed limits, and related fields. Ensure these are correct for your machine before use.
Click Save at the bottom to persist list changes, the default machine, and auto-home preference.
Tip: Verify max S against your firmware documentation. A mismatch (e.g. UI assumes 1000 but firmware expects 255) produces incorrect power in G-code.
Add a laser machine profile
Click Add new machine from the setup window (or open Add laser machine mode).
From template
Search the built-in catalog by brand or model, then pick a template. Common starting points:
| Template | Use when |
|---|---|
| No machine · S1000 | You only need G-code export — no USB connection to hardware |
| GRBL · S1000 / GRBL · S255 | Standard GRBL laser controllers |
| FluidNC · Laser, LinuxCNC · Laser, etc. | Matching controller family |
Before adding, adjust:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| max S | Maximum S value your firmware uses (e.g. 255, 1000, or 10000). Power percentages in the UI map to 0…max S. |
| Feed display | How speeds are labelled (mm/min, mm/s, in/min, in/s) |
| Work area width / height | Machine bed size in the chosen feed-display units — becomes the project canvas size when linked |
| Reference point | Drawing origin: Top Left, Top Right, Center, Bottom Left, or Bottom Right |
Click Add machine to save the profile and return to your machines list. Click Save on the main window to write settings to disk.
Custom machine
Below the templates, the Custom machine section lets you define a controller manually:
- Controller family (GRBL, FluidNC, LinuxCNC, Smoothieware, Marlin Laser, grblHAL, Custom)
- Post-processor for G-code export
- Brand, model, or display name
- max S, default dynamic power (M4), default air assist
- Work area and reference point
Link a machine to the current project
Open the Connection tab in the Laser operations sidebar.
The machine dropdown lists installed profiles by brand, model, and max S (for example, GRBL · S1000 — max 1000). Select the machine for this project.
If no machine is linked, the dropdown shows (select). Choose a profile after adding one in setup.
Changing the linked machine updates max S on toolpaths and applies the profile work area to an empty project. If the reference point differs, existing shapes move so their physical position is preserved.
USB vs offline profiles
| Profile type | Connection tab |
|---|---|
| USB serial (GRBL, etc.) | Shows Connect, Disconnect, Refresh, and USB port list when disconnected |
| Offline / export-only (e.g. No machine template) | Status shows Offline profile — connect controls and USB port list are hidden |
Export-only testing: add the No machine · S1000 template, link it in the Connection tab (or set it as default before creating a new project), then use Laser operations → Save laser operations to export G-code.
Troubleshooting
I can't click New Laser Project Activate a trial or licence in the welcome sidebar. The card stays disabled until your trial or licence is active.
My new project has a 300 × 300 mm canvas and no machine selected No laser profile was saved when you created the project. Open Laser machine setup…, add a machine (or use Detect connected machine), set a default if you like, then pick the profile in the Connection tab dropdown.
My canvas size is wrong Edit the machine profile's work area in Laser machine setup…, or link a different machine in the Connection tab.
My coordinates don't match the machine Check the Reference point on your laser machine profile. It must match your controller's work-coordinate origin. Changing it repositions existing shapes to preserve their physical location.
Power in G-code seems wrong Verify max S on the machine profile matches your firmware (255 vs 1000 vs 10000).
I can't connect over USB Only profiles with USB serial detection (or manually configured USB machines) show live connection controls. Currently only GRBL style controllers are supported. Try restarting the laser to prompt detection. Also, if other laser software is open, this may be blocking the connection to the device, try disconnecting from other software first.
Detect connected machine finds nothing Confirm the laser is powered on, the USB cable is connected, and no other app has the serial port open. Click the tile again to rescan.