Document 4 of 4 · Quick Start Card · v6.0
Quick Start
MOPA Color Studio
From image to colour engrave — 5 steps
1
Set your machine profile
Select your Wattage, Source (JPT, Raycus, MAX, IPG), Lens, Material, and Detail level from the toolbar dropdowns. All four multiply together to scale your parameters. Use the Edge Smoothness slider to control edge quality — lower for clean logos and vector art, higher for photos with noisy edges.
2
Load image
Click ↑ Load Image or drag a PNG/JPG onto the left pane. The colour map appears automatically on the right.
3
Edit & preview
Click any colour row to edit its parameters. Switch to the Vector tab to preview trace methods A, B, or C before exporting. If edges look jagged, nudge the Edge Smoothness slider up.
4
Export
Click Export LightBurn. Choose your trace method and click Export. A ZIP downloads containing mopa_project.lbrn with all zones already inside.
5
Open & group
In LightBurn: File › Open → mopa_project.lbrn. Press Ctrl+A then Ctrl+G to group all colours. Position and engrave. Tip: Use 🎨 Test Card first to calibrate on scrap material.
★
Save your settings
Click Presets to save your tuned parameters. They carry forward to every future image automatically — tune once, use forever.
Quick Reference — Materials & Key Parameters
Stainless 304
Black freq1500 kHz
White freq200 kHz
Blue freq198 kHz
Red freq50 kHz
Titanium Gr.5
Speed mult.0.75×
Power mult.1.1×
Freq mult.0.9×
PW mult.1.1×
Machine profile (all scale power + speed)
20W · JPT · 110mmBaseline ★
75mm lens−28% pwr · +32% spd
160mm lens+48% pwr · −22% spd
Raycus src−8% pwr · +5% spd
IPG src−12% pwr · +8% spd
Vector Trace Methods
A
Pixel Runs
One rect per pixel run. Exact, highest node count. Best for detailed images.
B
Block Merge
Merges runs into rectangles. Same accuracy, 5–20× fewer shapes. Best all-round.
C
Contour Trace
Smooth boundary polygons. Fewest nodes. Best for bold graphic artwork.
Tips
Best images
Bold, well-separated colours work best. PNG files with flat colour areas produce the cleanest zone maps. Avoid heavily compressed JPEGs.
LightBurn import order
Import zones one at a time. Set each to X=0, Y=0, W=100mm before moving to the next. Lock each layer after placing it.
Preset system
Your edits autosave automatically. Use Presets to name and switch between machine setups. Factory defaults are always one click away.
Docs & Help
Click 📄 Docs in the toolbar for all 4 instruction guides. Click ? Help for a built-in quick reference. 11 languages in the language dropdown.
Always test first
All parameters are starting points. Wattage scaling is approximate — actual results vary by machine, optics, and material surface. Always test on scrap first. At higher wattages (100W+) reduce power further and increase speed if marks are too dark.
© 2026 Jason Mills · MOPA Color Studio v6.0 · Quick Start Card · Parameters are starting points — always test on scrap material
DOC-04 · Quick Start · v6.0