Beam Bench Docs

Cuts / Layers

Create and order layers, assign selected objects, and edit shared output settings.

Layers appear as tabs directly above the canvas. The Cuts/Layers panel edits the active tab's shared settings. Every object belongs to a layer, and every object on that layer uses its cut settings.

Opening it

  • Click a layer tab to activate it and reveal the Layers panel.
  • Re-open it from the Window menu if it was closed.
  • The default Design workspace docks Layers on the right with Properties and Outliner.

Layer tabs

Each tab shows the layer color, operation icon, and name. The active tab also shows its speed and power summary.

  • Click a tab to activate its layer.
  • Shift+click to select every object on that layer.
  • Double-click to open the full Cut Settings editor.
  • Drag tabs to change processing order.
  • Right-click a tab for layer actions.
  • Click + to create a layer with the next unused palette color.

The eye on an active or hidden tab controls canvas visibility. Tool layers use a dashed border and do not produce machine output.

Move only the selected objects

  1. Select one or more objects on the canvas.
  2. Right-click the destination layer tab.
  3. Choose Move Selection to This Layer.

Only the selected objects move. Other objects stay on their current layer. You can do the same thing from the Layer dropdown in Properties, which lists compatible destination layers for the selection.

Active layer settings

The Layers panel provides controls for the active layer, including:

  • Name and color.
  • Output and canvas visibility.
  • Air assist.
  • Layer appearance on the canvas.
  • Mode entries such as Line, Fill, Offset Fill, Image, or Tool.
  • Speed, passes, maximum and minimum power, interval, perforation, and kerf where applicable.

Settings are shared. Changing power or speed here affects every object assigned to the active layer.

The panel header also provides actions to select all objects on the layer, lock or unlock them, copy or paste layer settings, and delete the layer when allowed.

Context menu actions

The layer tab menu includes actions to:

  • Disable or hide every other layer.
  • Select every object on the layer.
  • Move the current selection to the layer.
  • Flash the layer's content on the canvas.
  • Copy or paste settings.
  • Rename, lock, or delete the layer when allowed.

Right-click the empty layer-strip background for batch output, visibility, and Sort Cuts Last actions.

Processing order

The machine processes layers in tab order. A useful default is engrave first, score next, and cut through last so the material stays in place until the final operation.

On this page

Opening itLayer tabsMove only the selected objectsActive layer settingsContext menu actionsProcessing orderRelated