Warning
The current version of MillMage is a Release Candidate — a stable version of software that is nearly ready for official release, but in need of additional public testing. Please report any unexpected behavior in the MillMage Software Questions section of our forum, including screenshots and as much detail as possible. Ask hardware compatibility questions in the MillMage Hardware Compatibility section.
Users new to MillMage should follow the Getting Started guide.
Video: How to Use a Release Candidate
This video features our sister software, LightBurn. While there may be slight differences in appearance and layout, the demonstrated processes are similar in MillMage.
Warning
This documentation is in active development and in a prerelease state. These documents are not complete and may include missing pages, broken links, and placeholders. Content is being updated as feedback is reviewed. Your patience is appreciated.
Project Setup: Advanced¶
After you've set up your first device profile, you'll be greeted by the Project Setup window. You'll see this window again each time you open MillMage — the parameters you enter here determine the size of your Workspace, and other important information MillMage uses to tell your CNC how to carve your project.
If you don't have this information and just want to start exploring, feel free to leave the default values in place for now. You'll always be able to return to this window when you're ready to make something for real.
The Project Setup window is available in two different modes, Advanced Setup which displays all the project settings at once, and Beginner Setup which opens the Project Setup Wizard to guide you through each portion of the required project setup, with visible examples of how each setting applies.
Note
The Workspace displayed in MillMage is a representation of the material stock used in the project — not the size of your CNC machine cutting area.
Beginner Mode
Activate Beginner Mode to open the Project Setup Wizard for a step by step guide on each setting by selecting the Use Beginner Setup button. Switch back to Advanced Setup mode anytime by selecting the Use Advanced Setup button in the Project Setup window.
Click in the image below to jump directly to information on that section, or scroll down for information on each option.
Accessing the Project Setup Window¶
The Project Setup window will be presented on every relaunch of MillMage in the last user-set mode — either Advanced Setup mode or Beginner Setup mode. Open the Project Setup window by selecting File → Project Setup Edit.
Project Setup: Advanced Mode¶
Device Setup¶
Define several project-specific parameters in the Device Setup section of the Project Setup window.
1. Choose Your Machine¶
Select your desired CNC machine from the list of added Devices in the Machine dropdown.
Choose a placeholder machine previously created if your CNC machine is not yet set up and listed. Refer back to the Adding Your Machine guide for a step-by-step walkthrough on adding a CNC machine to your list of devices in MillMage.
Refer to Devices for more information.
2. Measure and Set Safe Clearance Height¶
Carefully measure the distance between the highest point on any workholding clamps within the work area and the surface of the CNC machine wasteboard or work area. Use the height of the material stock if using countersunk screws or toe clamps.
Workholding
See the Workholding guide for more information on securing your material stock: Guide: Workholding.
Safe clearance height is the measured distance above all elements of the stock material, high enough for the CNC router tool (bit) to freely move within the work area without colliding with workholding clamps, fixtures, and fasteners.
Collision Warning
Workholding fixtures are NOT included by default in the Safe Clearance Height. Account for workholding fixture height and add their values into calculations to prevent collisions.
View our Workholding guide for workholding examples.
3. Set Fast Retraction Height¶
Fast Retraction Height is the distance above the material stock to lift the router up when moving between features.
This option is on by default.
Collision Warning
To prevent collisions, only enable fast retraction if the inner area of the material stock is free of clamps, fasteners, and other obstructions.
4. Set Pocket Lift Height¶
Pocket Lift Height is the distance to lift above the pocket surface when moving within that pocket, and is used to help clear chips and debris.
5. Set Project Units of Measure¶
Set the project units to Millimeters (mm) or Inches (in).
Change the project units of measure at any time by pressing the mm / in button in the Numeric Edits Toolbar.
6. Measure and Set Stock Dimensions¶
Accurately measure the material stock — also known as the workpiece — and enter the dimensions in the Width, Depth, and Thickness fields.
An accurate material thickness measurement will help prevent cutting through the workpiece into the waste board or the CNC machine itself.
Ensure that the material stock is securely fastened within the machine workspace before operating the machine.
7. Set Project Origin/Work Offset¶
The Project Origin corresponds to the physical X and Y Axis point you will home the tip of the router tool against.
Choose the Project Origin — also known as the work offset — to set the (0,0) point for the X (left/right), and Y (front/back) Axis on the material stock. Any artwork you place in the MillMage grid will be output in the corresponding location on your stock, relative to that shared 0,0 point.
Select Bottom Left or Center for most projects.
8. Set Z Axis Zero Point¶
The workpiece Zero Point is the point along the Z (up/down) axis where the tip of the tool is physically touching the top of the material stock (Top), or is at the bottom of the CNC machine work area touching the wasteboard or work area surface (Bottom).
Setting the Workpiece Zero Point tells MillMage how to translate the user-specified cut depths and directions set in the Operations Window into the GCode commands needed to perform the final machining operations.
Choosing between Top and Bottom Zero Points¶
Z Axis Zero Point: Top¶
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Can use full cutting volume | Easier to cut through wasteboard or machine surface |
| One X, Y, and Z axis zero point | Can machine away initial Z axis zero point |
| Jig and fixture friendly | |
| Engraving and Inlay friendly |
Z Axis Zero Point: Bottom¶
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Preferred when cutting through material | Workpiece must be smaller than wasteboard |
| More exact thickness in end product | Requires two different zero points: X/Y, and Z |
| Preserves wasteboard surface | Material thickness variance can lead to chip overload |
9. Close Project Setup Window¶
Select OK to save the project settings and close the Project Setup window.
Next Steps¶
For more help using MillMage, please visit our forum to talk with MillMage staff and users, or email support.