Most fiber and MOPA galvo markers ship with EZCAD (EZCAD2, or EZCAD3/LMC on newer boards) rather than LightBurn. Reticle Red is hardware- and software-agnostic, so it feeds EZCAD just as cleanly — you just send it the two formats EZCAD actually reads: DXF for vector work and PNG for photo and grayscale raster. It does not read SVG or .lbrn2. Menu names below are EZCAD2; EZCAD3 is similar with different labels.
Step 1: Prep the design in Reticle Red Generate or process the artwork the same way you would for any laser — The Fabricator for AI patterns, Photo Prep for photo marking, Vector Stacker for layered signage, Coin Designer for medallions. The only thing that changes for EZCAD is which file you export at the end.
Step 2: Export the format EZCAD can read Pick by job type — this is the whole trick to a clean EZCAD import:
| Job in Reticle Red | Export | Into EZCAD as |
|---|---|---|
| Vector line art, outlines, hatched fills | DXF | File → Import (vector) |
| Photo / dithered / grayscale marking | PNG | Bitmap object |
| Coin / relief depth (3D) | STL or PNG depth map | 3D/rotary or grayscale mark |
Vector Stacker and the parametric builders export DXF directly. For AI or photo art that only comes out as SVG or PNG, run it through the AI Vector Artist when you need crisp vector fills, or just take the PNG straight into EZCAD as a bitmap for raster marking.
Step 3: Import into EZCAD For DXF: File → Import and select the file — it lands as curve objects you can hatch and re-pen. For PNG: add a Bitmap object, load the PNG, and choose grayscale or dither marking. Keep the design centered on the field origin so it lines up with your red-light frame.
Step 4: Set the real size and resolution DXF from a browser tool has no guaranteed unit scale, so select the object and type the exact width or height in the size fields (lock the aspect ratio). For a PNG bitmap, size it on the workspace first, then set its resolution — 600–1000 DPI is a common range for fiber photo marking on metal. Setting size explicitly once beats trusting the import default.
Step 5: Assign pens and hatch EZCAD's pen list is its version of layers — each pen (0–255) holds its own power, speed, frequency, and passes. Put the fill and the outline on different pens so you can tune them separately. For solid vector fills, open the Hatch panel, enable hatching, and set the line spacing and angle (a cross-hatch at two angles gives fuller coverage). Outlines mark as plain curves on their own pen.
Step 6: Dial in fiber/MOPA parameters The design file never carries burn settings — those live on the EZCAD pen. For annealed color on stainless with a MOPA source, use the [MOPA Color Predictor](/laser-lab?tab=mopa) in the Laser Lab to find the frequency and power band for the color you want, then apply it to that pen. Confirm on a scrap coupon of the same alloy before the real part.
Troubleshooting - Nothing imports / greyed-out Import: it's an SVG or .lbrn2 — re-export as DXF or PNG. - Hatch looks hollow: the path isn't closed. Re-export from a vector tool, or in EZCAD group the curves before hatching. - Photo marks look muddy: dither in Reticle Red's Image Lab before export instead of relying on EZCAD's bitmap dither, and raise the DPI to match your dot pitch. - Wrong scale on every import: set the size once after import and save an .ezd so the scale is fixed for reruns.
Running LightBurn instead? Many galvo lasers also run under LightBurn — see Using Reticle Red with LightBurn — The Complete Workflow for the SVG import path.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can EZCAD open SVG or .lbrn2 files from Reticle Red?
No. EZCAD2 and EZCAD3 do not read SVG or LightBurn .lbrn2 files. Send vector work to EZCAD as DXF (File → Import) and send photos or grayscale raster work as a PNG loaded into a Bitmap object. Reticle Red exports both — DXF from the Vector Stacker and the parametric builders, and PNG from Photo Prep, the vectorizer preview, and any tool with an image export. Reserve SVG and .lbrn2 for browser and LightBurn workflows.
What format should I use to photo-engrave on a fiber laser?
Export a prepped PNG from Reticle Red's Image Lab — dither or grayscale it there first so you control the halftone instead of leaving it to EZCAD. In EZCAD, add a Bitmap object and load the PNG, then mark it in grayscale (power scales with pixel value) or let EZCAD dither it. Size the bitmap on the workspace, then set its resolution so the physical dot pitch matches — around 600–1000 DPI is typical for fiber photo marking on metal.
How do I get color on stainless steel with a MOPA laser?
MOPA color comes from the pulse frequency, power, speed, and pulse width you mark at — not from the design file. Prep the artwork in Reticle Red as usual, then use the MOPA Color Predictor in the Laser Lab to find the frequency and power band for the color you want, and assign those parameters to the pen your design marks on in EZCAD. Always confirm on a scrap coupon of the same alloy; results vary with steel grade and surface finish.
My DXF imports at the wrong size in EZCAD — how do I fix it?
DXF from a browser tool carries no guaranteed unit scale, so EZCAD may read it at the wrong size. After importing, select the object and type the exact width or height in the size fields (lock the ratio so it scales proportionally). Set the size once, at the real material dimension, rather than trusting the import — then save it as an EZCAD .ezd file so the scale is baked in for reruns.