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Main Window

The Rayforge main window is your primary workspace for creating and managing laser jobs.

Window Layout​

Main Window

1. Menu Bar​

Access all Rayforge functions through organized menus:

  • File: Open, save, import, export, and recent files
  • Edit: Undo, redo, copy, paste, preferences
  • View: Zoom, grid, rulers, panels, and view modes
  • Object: Add, edit, and manage operations
  • Machine: Connect, jog, home, start/stop jobs
  • Help: About, Donate, Save Debug Log

2. Toolbar​

Quick access to frequently used controls:

  • WCS dropdown: Select the active Work Coordinate System (G53-G59)
  • Simulation toggle: Enable/disable job simulation mode
  • Travel moves: Toggle visibility of rapid travel moves
  • Workpiece: Toggle workpiece visibility
  • Camera: Toggle camera feed visibility
  • Tabs: Toggle tab visibility
  • Focus laser: Toggle laser focusing mode
  • Job controls: Home, Frame, Send, Hold, and Cancel buttons

The WCS dropdown allows you to quickly switch between coordinate systems. See Work Coordinate Systems for more information.

3. Canvas​

The main workspace where you:

  • Import and arrange designs
  • Preview toolpaths
  • Position objects relative to machine origin
  • Test frame boundaries

Canvas Controls:

  • Pan: Middle-click drag or space + drag
  • Zoom: Mouse wheel or ctrl+"+" / ctrl+"-"
  • Reset View: ctrl+0 or View → Reset Zoom

4. Layers Panel​

Manage operations and layer assignments:

  • View all operations in your project
  • Assign operations to design elements
  • Reorder operation execution
  • Enable/disable individual operations
  • Configure operation parameters

5. Properties Panel​

Configure settings for selected objects or operations:

  • Operation type (Contour, Raster, etc.)
  • Power and speed settings
  • Number of passes
  • Advanced options (overscan, kerf, tabs)

6. Bottom Panel​

The Bottom Panel at the bottom of the window provides:

  • Tabbed View: Switch between Console and G-code Viewer via the icon strip
  • Jog Controls: Manual machine movement and positioning (always visible)
  • Machine Status: Real-time position and connection state
  • WCS Management: Work coordinate system selection and zeroing

See Bottom Panel for detailed information.

Window Management​

Panels​

Show/hide panels as needed:

  • Bottom Panel: View → Bottom Panel (ctrl+l)

Full Screen Mode​

Focus on your work with full screen:

  • Enter: f11 or View → Full Screen
  • Exit: f11 or esc

Customization​

Customize the interface in Edit → Preferences:

  • Theme: Light, dark, or system
  • Units: Millimeters or inches
  • Grid: Show/hide and configure grid spacing
  • Rulers: Show/hide rulers on canvas
  • Toolbar: Customize visible buttons

Related Pages: