Rayforge

Rayforge is a modern, cross-platform 2D CAD, G-code sender and control software for GRBL, Marlin, Ruida, and
Smoothieware-based laser cutters and engravers.
Built with Gtk4 and Libadwaita, it provides a clean, native interface for Linux, MacOS and Windows, offering a full suite of tools
for both hobbyists and professionals.

Screenshot

You can also check the official Rayforge homepage.
We also have a Discord.

Key Features

Design & Editing

Feature	Description
Parametric Sketch Editor	Create precise, constraint-based 2D designs with geometric and dimensional constraints.
Comprehensive 2D Canvas	Full suite of tools: alignment, transformation, measurement, zoom, pan, and more.
Multi-Layer Operations	Assign different operations (e.g., engrave then cut) to layers in your design.
Stock Material System	Document-level stock with geometry, thickness, and material assignment.
Undo/Redo	Full undo/redo support across all document operations.
Broad File Support	Import from SVG, DXF, PDF, JPEG, PNG, BMP, and Ruida (`.rd`). Export to SVG and DXF.
Project Files (.ryp)	Compressed project format preserving all assets, layers, and configurations.

Operations & Toolpaths

Feature	Description
Versatile Operations	Supports Contour, Raster Engraving (with cross-hatch fill), Shrink Wrap, Depth Engraving, and Frame.
2.5D Cutting	Multi-pass cuts with configurable step-down for thick materials.
True 4th Axis Support	Full rotary axis support - as 4th axis, or axis replacement mode for hobby machines.
Animated 3D Simulation	Simulate toolpaths in 3D with animated playback, scrubber, and speed control.
Holding Tabs	Add tabs to contour cuts. Supports manual and automatic placement.
Overscan & Kerf Comp.	Improve engraving quality with overscan; ensure dimensional accuracy with kerf compensation.
Dithering Algorithms	Floyd-Steinberg and Bayer ordered dithering for high-quality raster engraving.
Post-Processors	Lead-in/lead-out, merge overlapping lines, and crop toolpaths to stock boundary.
Advanced Path Generation	Image tracing, travel time optimization, path smoothing, and spot size interpolation.

Machine Control

Feature	Description
Multi-Machine Profiles	Configure and instantly switch between multiple machine profiles.
Device Profiles	Declarative device packages with import/export for sharing configurations.
Work Coordinate Systems	6 WCS (G54-G59) with per-layer assignment for cutting at different offsets.
No-Go Zones	Define restricted areas with collision detection before sending G-code.
Machine Hours & Maintenance	Track operating hours with configurable maintenance counters and notification thresholds.
GRBL Firmware Settings	Read and write firmware parameters (`$$`) directly from the UI.
Arc & Bezier Curves	Native G2/G3 arc and G5 bezier curve support with automatic linearization.
Multi-Laser Operations	Choose different lasers for each operation in a job.
G-code Dialects	Supports GRBL, Smoothieware, Marlin, LinuxCNC, Mach4, and custom dialects via built-in editor.
G-code Macros & Hooks	Run custom G-code snippets before/after jobs. Supports variable substitution.
Pre-flight Checks	Validates bounds, work area, and no-go zone collisions before sending a job.
G-code Console	Interactive console with syntax highlighting and search.

Materials & Presets

Feature	Description
Material Library	60+ built-in materials across categories with search and user-created material libraries.
Recipe/Preset System	Auto-matching presets by material, thickness, machine, and laser head with specificity scoring.
Material Test Grid	Generate power/speed test grids to find optimal laser settings for a given material.

Workflow & Automation

Feature	Description
Camera Integration	USB camera for workpiece alignment, positioning, background tracing, and fisheye calibration.
AI Workpiece Generation	Generate SVG workpieces from text prompts using OpenAI-compatible AI providers.
Print & Cut Alignment	Align cuts to printed material using registration marks with a guided wizard.
Headless/CLI Mode	Worker-only mode without UI for batch processing and automation.
Projector Mode	Project toolpaths onto your machine bed for alignment.

Platform & Extensibility

Feature	Description
Modern UI	Polished UI built with Gtk4 and Libadwaita. Supports system, light, and dark themes.
Addon System	Built-in addon manager for installing and managing community extensions.
Extensible	Open development model makes it easy to add support for new devices.
Cross-Platform	Native builds for Linux, Mac and Windows.
Multi-Language	Available in English, Portuguese, Spanish, German, French, Ukrainian, and Chinese.
Update Checker	Automatic background check for new versions via the GitHub Releases API.

Device Support

Device Type	Connection Method	Notes
GRBL	Serial Port	Supported since version 0.13. The most common connection type.
GRBL	Telnet	Supported since version 0.16.
GRBL	Network (WiFi/Ethernet)	Connect to any GRBL device on your network.
Smoothieware	Telnet	Supported since version 0.15.
Marlin	Serial Port	Supported since version 1.7.2.
Ruida	Network (UDP)	Connect to Ruida-based controllers via UDP.
OctoPrint	Network (HTTP API)	Connect through an OctoPrint server.

Installation

For installation instructions refer to our homepage.

Development

For detailed information about developing for Rayforge, including setup instructions,
testing, and contribution guidelines, please see the
Developer Documentation.