Beginner’s Walkthrough of xTool Studio
xTool Studio is rolling in as the unified replacement for xTool Creative Space (XCS)—and it's the only officially supported software for the P3. While many makers default to LightBurn, Studio brings a bunch of practical upgrades that are worth a look: device simulation, smart nesting, built‑in generators, a real asset library, background autosave to the cloud, and a preview that actually simulates on-material output.
Below is a quick tour of what's new, what works well, and a few wishes for future updates.
Key Takeaways
Official software for the P3; no LightBurn support announced for it.
Try any xTool machine in software (even if you don't own it) to preview speeds/settings.
One‑Click Set makes material presets useful for both engrave and cut.
Smart Nesting packs shapes tightly to save material—huge for production.
New generators: earrings, keychains, boxes, and integrated Laser Map Maker.
Asset library ("MySpace") for reusable files, plus background autosave.
Preview shows simulated results on your chosen material.
A few gaps: no engrave defocus control yet, preview lacks time estimate, generators don't accept custom templates (yet).
What's New on the Home Screen
Templates and Materials: Browse Atom/XCS templates in-app, filter free/paid, and bookmark favorites. Materials now live on the home screen with quick access to XTool's online library—and you can import custom materials.
MySpace: Cloud storage for projects and assets. Projects preserve device/settings; Assets act like an art library for quick reuse.
Preferences: Units, canvas theme, hotkeys, vector quality, notifications, and more.
Device Simulation (Even If You Don't Own It)
You can "switch device" and select any XTool machine (F1, F1 Ultra, F2 Ultra, S1, P3, etc.). Load a material (e.g., 1/4" birch ply), choose a process, hit One‑Click Set, and Studio shows recommended power/speed. This is genuinely useful for:
Comparing cut/engrave performance across models before buying.
Estimating job times and settings when planning projects for a different machine.
Import, Image Tools, and AI
Import: SVG/JPG/PNG, then Convert to Engrave/Score/Cut as needed.
Image Edit: Auto Adjust to grayscale; AI tools like Cutout, Expand, and Enhance.
Export: Vectors as SVG when you need to move assets elsewhere.
Templates and Elements
Templates: Browse in a docked panel (nice UX—doesn't cover your workspace). Compatibility tags show which machines/materials a template supports. Open into the current project.
Elements: Drop ready-made shapes/illustrations (hearts, leaves, mandalas, etc.) and convert them to cut/score/engrave. Great for quick fillers or sample projects.
Applications: Built‑In Generators
Earring Generator
Pre-designed styles with sizing control and exploded views. Currently limited to built-in shapes.
Keychain Generator
Add text/phone numbers, choose fonts (uses system fonts), set hole size (e.g., 0.125"), and toggle banding/outline.
Box Generator
Surprisingly deep—tabs, kerf-aware thickness, optional borders, patterns, "design block" inset, and open/closed styles.
Map Designer
Laser Map Maker integrated. Requires a subscription ($12/mo hobbyist, $24/mo creator; annual discounts available). Design maps there, import directly into Studio.
Smart Nesting (Material Saver)
Studio's Smart Nesting packs shapes efficiently within a target area—e.g., 18" x 12" sheet with auto-rotate. It can also detect work area from a camera photo (on supported machines). In testing, it nested a bunch of hearts into a tight 12" x 8" region without unwanted grouping, which is fantastic for:
Minimizing scrap on batch runs
Faster layout vs. manual alignment
Camera-assisted re-nesting on offcuts (to test when the P3 arrives)
Process Controls and Layers
Layers by color with Engrave/Score/Cut toggles.
Curve Offset, Tab generation, and Lower Focus (for thicker cuts).
Boolean ops, compound vectors, group/ungroup, offset, node editing—tools are all here, just rearranged.
Note: Engrave defocus (setting a custom Z for engraves) isn't exposed yet.
Preview and Simulation
Preview launches a material-aware simulation without sending to Process.
You can change the material (e.g., plywood to black metal business card) to see a closer visual approximation of results.
Framing controls sit near the preview controls.
Wish list: Estimated time doesn't show in Preview; you still need to go into Process to see it (time estimate now lives top-right).
Autosave and Cloud
Background autosave syncs to MySpace when a project is cloud-saved.
Quickly save locally or to cloud from the left toolbar.
Performance and Stability
XTool indicates Studio should run smoother and lighter than XCS, with a cleaner UI and consolidated features. In general use, the interface feels tighter and more responsive.
Limitations and Wishlist
P3: No LightBurn support; Studio is the path forward.
Engrave defocus: Ability to set a different focus height for engraves would be helpful.
Generators: Allow user-supplied templates for earrings/boxes.
Preview: Add time estimate to reduce round-tripping to Process.
Who Should Try XTool Studio
P3 owners (or soon-to-be): It's the exclusive software and feels ready for daily work.
Batch producers and Etsy/market sellers: Smart Nesting + asset library = faster, cheaper runs.
Beginners coming from XCS: Familiar feel but more capable; you won't fight the UI.
LightBurn users: Still great for advanced control, but Studio's nesting, asset cloud, and generators may save real time—even as a companion.
Quick Start: Try These Features First
Device Simulation: Switch to a machine you're considering and test One‑Click Set on common materials.
Smart Nesting: Paste a dozen shapes, set 18" x 12", enable Auto Rotate, and Start Nesting.
Asset Library: Save frequently used logos/frames as Assets for quick drop-in.
Preview: Change Materials in Preview to sanity-check engrave visibility before you waste a blank.
Box/Keychain Generators: Spin up a giftable project fast and tweak thickness/holes/fonts to your stock.