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G-code Dialect Support

Rayforge supports multiple G-code dialects to work with different controller firmware.

Supported Dialects​

Rayforge currently supports these G-code dialects:

DialectFirmwareCommon Use
Grbl (Compat)GRBL 1.1+Diode lasers, hobby CNC
Grbl (Compat, no Z axis)GRBL 1.1+2D laser cutters without Z
GRBL Dynamic (Depth-Aware)GRBL 1.1+Depth-Aware laser engraving
GRBL Dynamic (no Z axis)GRBL 1.1+Depth-Aware laser engraving
Mach4 (M67 Analog)Mach4High-speed raster engraving
SmoothiewareSmoothiewareLaser cutters, CNC
MarlinMarlin 2.0+3D printers with laser
Recommended Dialects

Grbl (Compat) is the most tested and recommended dialect for standard laser applications.

GRBL Dynamic (Depth-Aware) is recommended for Depth-Aware laser engraving where power varies during cuts (e.g., variable depth engraving).

Mach4 (M67 Analog)​

The Mach4 (M67 Analog) dialect is designed for high-speed raster engraving with Mach4 controllers. It uses the M67 command with analog output for precise laser power control.

Key Features​

  • M67 Analog Output: Uses M67 E0 Q<0-255> for laser power instead of inline S commands
  • Reduced Buffer Pressure: By separating power commands from motion commands, the controller buffer is less stressed during high-speed operations
  • High-Speed Raster: Optimized for fast raster engraving operations

When to Use​

Use this dialect when:

  • You have a Mach4 controller with analog output capability
  • You need high-speed raster engraving
  • Your controller experiences buffer overflow with standard inline S commands

Command Format​

The dialect generates G-code like:

M67 E0 Q127  ; Set laser power to 50% (127/255)
G1 X100 Y200 F1000  ; Move to position
M67 E0 Q0    ; Turn laser off

Creating a Custom Dialect​

To create a custom G-code dialect based on a built-in dialect:

  1. Open Machine Settings → G-code Dialect
  2. Click the Copy icon on a built-in dialect to create a new custom dialect
  3. Edit the dialect settings as needed
  4. Save your custom dialect

Each custom dialect is an independent copy. Changing one dialect never affects others, so you can freely experiment without worrying about breaking an existing setup. Custom dialects are stored in your configuration directory and can be shared.

Separate Laser-On Command for Focusing​

Some dialects support configuring a separate command for turning the laser on at low power, which is useful for focus mode. This lets you use a different command for the visual "laser pointer" behavior than what is used during actual cutting or engraving. Check your dialect's settings page for this option.