Sub-layer tip: LightBurn supports up to 11 sub-layers per color layer.
With 30 main layers × 11 sub-layers = 330 unique speed settings possible.
Sub-layers share the same geometry but can have different speed + power.
⬡ lightburn palette
MAIN LAYERS MAX30
SUB-LAYERS/LAYER11
TOTAL POSSIBLE330
ACTIVE LAYERS0
PALETTE
SUB-LAYERS
LightBurn's 30 built-in layer colors (click to assign):
Colors are mapped to speed bands automatically. You can click any color cell to manually assign it to the selected layer.
Using Sub-Layers for Fine Speed Control
Each LightBurn layer supports up to 11 sub-layers. Each sub-layer can have its own speed, power, mode (fill/line/offset), and pass count — applied to the same geometry.
EXAMPLE STRATEGY:
• 10 main color layers (10 speed bands)
• Each with 3 sub-layers at slightly different speeds
• = 30 effective speed steps with only 10 colors
HOW TO IN LIGHTBURN:
1. Click a layer in Cuts/Layers
2. Open Cut Settings Editor
3. Click + to add sub-layer tabs
4. Set speed/power independently per tab
5. All sub-layers run on same geometry
CALC: LAYERS × SUB-LAYERS
MAIN LAYERS
SUB-LAYERS EACH
= 30 speed steps
EXPORT LAYERS AS SEPARATE PNGs
Each layer exports as a PNG with only that speed-band's pixels (transparent elsewhere). Import each into LightBurn on its matching color layer.