Rayforge 1.6 - Device Profiles, Rotary Overhaul, Print & Cut
Rayforge 1.6 brings a complete rotary axis overhaul, a new device profile system, a redesigned layer system with per-layer WCS, and a Print and Cut addon for aligning laser cuts with printed material.
Device Profiles
Machine profiles have been replaced by device profiles -- declarative packages that bundle your work area, axis setup, laser settings, and G-code dialect into a single file. Pick your device and everything is pre-configured. You can export and import profiles to share setups between machines or back up your configuration.
Rotary Axis Overhaul
Rotary support was rewritten from the ground up with proper kinematics. The new system supports a true 4th axis alongside your existing X, Y, and Z axes, as well as axis replacement mode for setups where the rotary takes over X or Y. Roller-type rotary attachments get their own dedicated settings.
The 2D canvas adapts to rotary mode automatically, and the 3D canvas renders rotary toolpaths correctly in every configuration -- including during simulation playback. The kinematics engine was refactored to build dynamically from an axis set and mapper, making it far more flexible and correct.
Print and Cut
A new addon helps you align laser cuts with pre-printed material. Register reference points on your print, let Rayforge calculate the offset and rotation, and your cuts land exactly where they should. Perfect for making stickers, labels, or anything that needs to line up with an existing print.
Redesigned Layer System
The layer panel got a complete overhaul. Each layer column now shows a visual workflow so you can see your operations at a glance. You can reorder layers and workpieces with drag-and-drop. Each layer can be assigned its own Work Coordinate System (G54-G59) for multi-fixture setups, with a quick edit button right in the layer settings. The settings dialog is non-modal, so you can keep it open while working on the canvas.
Material Test Grid
New parameter combinations are available, and multipass mode now shows extra speed or power labels so you can tell exactly what each cell represents.
GRBL Telnet Driver
Community contributor gyordanov built a new driver that connects to GRBL controllers over the network via Telnet. It works with grblHAL and ESP3D-based boards -- no USB cable needed.
Other Improvements
- Update checker notifies you when a new version is available
- Floating properties panel gives you more canvas space
- Editable slider values -- click and type the exact number you want
- Ops color setting -- choose layer color or laser color for rendering
- Creality Falcon A1 device profile
- Massively reduced memory usage for multi-layer PDFs
- GRBL serial improvements with deadlock recovery and comment stripping
- Sketcher -- support changing text color using the fill tool
- Canvas -- right-click context menu for empty space
- Windows -- terminal window no longer appears on startup
Special Thanks
This release was made possible with the support of our Patreon supporters: old-man-and-the-seam, Amsel, froqstar, pghpete, Derek McTavish, and four anonymous supporters.