Laser design software for schools and makerspaces

Runs in the browser — no installs, no licenses.

Reticle Red runs entirely in the browser, so it works on Chromebooks and shared lab machines with nothing to install or license per seat. The free tier covers most classroom work: parametric box and puzzle generators, photo prep and dithering, and the full set of laser calculators.

By Scott Bedow, Founder & Lead Developer · Published August 3, 2026

Manufacturing manager who runs CO2, diode and MOPA fiber lasers; builds and maintains every Reticle Red tool.

Method — Compared on publicly documented feature availability as of the stated date. Reticle Red is our own product — read the competing claims at the source, which each row links.

Free parametric box and puzzle generators for class projects

Free photo prep, dithering, and laser calculators

Works on Chromebooks and shared lab machines

Browse all tools Open Box Maker →

Questions schools and makerspaces ask

What can students use for free?

All client-side tools are free forever: Box Maker, Puzzle Generator, photo prep and dithering, Image Slicer, Bulk Personalizer, and every laser calculator. Only server-side AI generation uses credits.

Does it work on Chromebooks?

Yes — everything runs in the browser. There is no download, no install, and no per-seat license to manage.

Production checks before you export

Use the workflow on a representative sample before committing customer material. Confirm the finished dimensions, smallest line weight, layer assignments, focus, and machine parameters in the software that will run the job. A short test on matching scrap catches scale, contrast, kerf, and material-finish differences while they are still inexpensive to correct.

Related guides

Free Box Maker →Free Puzzle Generator →Laser Lab calculators →Classroom photo preparation →Map Maker →Map tutorial →

Customer quotes

Named Reticle Red customers, quoted from their own public posts with permission. They describe the platform as a whole, not one tool, and they are not ratings.

“I love this software!”
Patrick Hussey — Laser engraver · went from never touching the software to firing real burns in his first week · Facebook,
“This is the easiest I have seen.”
Chris Clark — Laser engraver · Vanguard pack customer · builds custom 1911 grips · Facebook,
“Reticle Red is becoming one of my favorite software to use. It has a lot of tools that many others do not, and approaches things differently to create more consistent results. A++”
Daniel Webster — Laser engraver · long-time power user · Facebook,
“Reticle Red definitely takes the guess work out of your design work with tutorials to walk through the process. I highly recommend it.”
Justin Brown — Laser engraver · Facebook,

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