1: I'm new to Glowforge and really have no idea where to start

[evansd2]

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Hey, welcome to the forum!

Glowforge has a getting started page, it’s definitely worth your time:

Design and Print Tutorials – Glowforge

One portion of those pages covers the basic use of the Glowforge print interface. It’s a great way to get familiar with the Glowforge tools:

https://support.glowforge.com/hc/en-us/sections/20461980538779-Using-the-Design-Workspace

When you’re ready for even more info, you’ll find everything in here interesting and useful, read through it and everything it links to.

New owner (well, almost)

Useful: Overall welcome Maybe too entry level? This will help you figure out how to cut new materials, really useful skill to have. Essential if you’re going to cut anything non PG (which you will, probably) What else might you need?

If you like to learn via video, check out this thread by @polarbrainfreeze, he’s one of the most expert users on the forum:

New Introduction to Laser-Cutting Course on Udemy

Hello Everyone, I’ve been a regular on this forum since it started. I have not been contributing much in the past 6 months, because I’ve been working on a different project in my spare time. Instead of creating new designs, I developed an “Introduction to Laser-Cutting” course. You can find it at: For those who don’t know me, you can look up the list of topics in my profile: Profile - polarbrainfreeze - Glowforge Owners Forum You’ll see many of the projects I’ve contributed over th…

A long while ago @cmreeder made this guide for new users, it’s full of handy tips. It’s an older thread but the bulk of what he mentions is still relevant.

Tips For the Inexperienced

Alright friends, As @Jules suggested, I am going to start a list of useful tips for the inexperienced. Please add things that might be common knowledge to those who are comfortable with lasers but that might be big news to someone who is new. We were crediting the folks who generated the tip; but discourse only allows you to mention ten members. General Tips dan: You want to go the fastest you can at the highest power possible to have clean edges. Accessories to invest in Digital Caliper…

A relatively new topic that is about what new users might like to know can be found here:

Your best tip

I wanted to create a thread full of your best tip for newbies and new laser owners. I want to hear for everyone willing to share and build an extensive list to help others.

And lastly, don’t forget that there are more tutorials in the Tips and Tricks section of the forum. This will get you started:

Community Glowforge Tutorials: Table of Contents

The Design Team Tutorial Project (aka “The Matrix”) This post and all related links are created and maintained by generous and helpful Glowforge customers. They have not been vetted or approved by Glowforge staff. List of Official Learning Tutorials from Glowforge: Safe Operations: Safety (Don’t be sorry later, read this now.) Operating Environment ( Don’t let your machine be uncomfortable.) Stop using your Glowforge unit if… Repairs to a Modified Glowforge Regulatory Information Des…

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[evansd2]

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