MOPA Color Studio — LightBurn Import Instructions

Document 2 of 4 · MOPA Color Studio v6.0

LightBurn Import
Step-by-Step Workflow

Export ZIP → File › Open → mopa_project.lbrn — all zones pre-drawn and ready

© 2026 Jason Mills

v6.0

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What's in the ZIP Package — New Simplified Workflow

When you export a ZIP from MOPA Color Studio, it contains everything you need to set up and run the job in LightBurn. Extract the ZIP to a folder before you begin.

mopa_project.lbrn

Open this in LightBurn using File > Open. Contains all colour colour layers with MOPA parameters pre-configured AND all zone geometry already drawn on the correct layers. No SVG import needed. No alignment needed. Open and engrave.

IMPORT_GUIDE.html

Open in your browser as a colour reference and parameter sheet. The import step is no longer needed — all geometry is already in the .lbrn file.

mopa_remap.png

Full-colour preview image. Keep this open alongside LightBurn as a visual reference while importing colour SVGs so you can verify placement.

zone_00_Name.svg
zone_01_Name.svg
zone_NN_Name.svg

No longer needed. Zone geometry is now embedded directly inside mopa_project.lbrn. This file is included for reference only.

mopa_parameters.html

Full parameter reference sheet for all zones, with the LightBurn workflow summarised. Open in your browser or print as a job record.

README.txt

Plain-text summary of the package contents and quick workflow steps.

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Complete Import Workflow

Export from MOPA Color Studio

Click Export LightBurn in the toolbar. Choose your trace method (A, B, or C) and click Export. A ZIP file downloads to your computer.

Extract the ZIP

Right-click the downloaded ZIP and choose Extract All. You will see mopa_project.lbrn, mopa_remap.png, and mopa_parameters.html.

Open in LightBurn

In LightBurn: File › Open (not Import) → select mopa_project.lbrn. All colours appear immediately in the workspace — already drawn, correctly positioned, and assigned to their own layers with MOPA parameters pre-loaded.

Verify with colour reference

Open mopa_remap.png alongside LightBurn to visually verify the zone layout matches your original image.

Group the image

Press Ctrl+A to select all zones, then Ctrl+G to group them into a single object. You can now move, scale, or position the entire image as one unit without losing any layer assignments.

Test and engrave

Always run a test on scrap material first. Once confirmed, run the full job. All parameters are already set on every layer.

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Recommended: Run the Test Card First

Before engraving your final image, run a test card to verify your colours are dialled in correctly for your specific machine and material. This takes about 5 minutes and will save you wasted material on your final job.

Set your machine profile

In MOPA Color Studio, confirm your Wattage, Source, Lens, and Material are set correctly in the toolbar. The test card will be scaled to these exact settings.

Generate the test card

Click the 🎨 Test Card button in the toolbar (next to CSV), or open the Export LightBurn modal and click 🎨 Test Card. Two files download immediately: mopa_test_card.lbrn and mopa_test_card.html.

Open the test card in LightBurn

In LightBurn: File › Open → mopa_test_card.lbrn. You will see 29 colour swatches arranged in a 6×5 grid, each 10×10mm, on their own layers. Press Ctrl+A then Ctrl+G to group them.

Position and engrave on scrap material

Place a piece of scrap Stainless 304 (or your chosen material) in your laser. Position the test card grid on the material — it measures approximately 70×50mm. Run the job at your normal settings. Do not skip this step.

Compare results to the HTML reference card

Open mopa_test_card.html in your browser. Compare each engraved swatch to its target colour. Use the Notes column to record which colours need adjustment — frequency up/down, power up/down, speed adjustment, additional passes.

Adjust parameters in MOPA Color Studio

Back in MOPA Color Studio, click any colour row in the Detected Colours table to open its parameter editor. Use the six sliders to match your test results. Changes save automatically and apply to all future jobs.

Save as a preset

Once satisfied, click Presets in the toolbar and save your calibrated settings as a named preset — e.g. "JPT 30W 110mm SS304 Calibrated". Load it instantly for every future job on the same machine and material.

Now export and engrave your final image

Return to your image in MOPA Color Studio. Click Export LightBurn → Export. Open mopa_project.lbrn in LightBurn, group, position on your final material, and engrave with confidence.

Never skip the test card on a new material or machine

MOPA colour parameters are highly sensitive to material surface finish, coating, and machine calibration. Even two machines of the same model can produce different results. A 5-minute test card will always save time and material in the long run.

Important — use File › Open, not Import

File › Open loads the project file with all cut settings and geometry. File › Import loads only graphics without cut settings. Always use Open for mopa_project.lbrn.

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Common Issues

Problem	Solution
Layers panel is empty after opening .lbrn	Make sure you used File › Open, not File › Import. The .lbrn file must be opened, not imported.
SVG imports as an image, not a shape	This should not happen with MOPA Color Studio exports. If it does, check that you are importing the correct `zone_NN.svg` file and not the `mopa_remap.png`.
Colour is assigned to the wrong layer	Select the shape, then click the correct colour swatch in the Cuts / Layers panel. Refer to the import guide for the correct swatch for each colour file.
Shapes don't line up / overlap incorrectly	Ensure every colour SVG is set to X=0, Y=0, W=100mm. All colours share the same coordinate system and will stack correctly at those values.
Placeholder rectangles interfering with scan	Delete them before running — see step 8 above. They are 1×1 mm and will engrave if not removed.
Colours don't match expected results	Parameters are starting points. Adjust frequency ±10%, speed ±20%, or power ±5% and run test burns. Document what works for your specific machine and save as a preset.

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Pro Tips

Work zone by zone. Import, assign, and position one zone at a time rather than importing all SVGs first. It is much easier to track which zone is which.

Lock layers as you go. In LightBurn, once a zone is correctly placed and assigned, lock its layer to prevent accidental movement while you work on the next one.

Save the LightBurn file after import. Once all zones are in and verified, save the .lbrn file with a new name (e.g. job_ready.lbrn) so you do not have to repeat the import process.

Run high-coverage zones last. Zones with high coverage (visible in the parameters sheet) generate more heat. Running them after fine detail zones prevents heat distortion of previously engraved areas.

DOC-02 · LightBurn Import