3. Generate

Once you are satisfied with the nesting layout, the next step is to generate the G-code for your laser cutter. In this stage, you define the technical parameters of the cutting and engraving process. G-code can be generated for the entire nested layout, for individual parts cutting or engraving and for speed and power tests.

  1. Select a material preset or manually enter the cutting and engraving parameters manually.
  2. Click the Play button to start the G-code generation.
  3. You can download generated G-code or Execute it on your machine directly from Dekupeo.
Dekupeo Generate G-code
Generate G-code in Dekupeo.

Material Presets

To avoid entering the same values repeatedly, you can select a Material Preset. This will automatically fill in the speed, power, and passes for both cutting and engraving. You can manage these presets in the Settings page.

Laser Settings (Cutting)

These settings apply to the outer and inner contours of your parts (the cutting lines).

  • Cut Speed – How fast the laser head moves while cutting (mm/min). Slow down for thicker materials.
  • Travel Speed – Speed of movement between cuts. Higher speed saves time but might cause vibrations if set too high.
  • Laser Power – The intensity of the laser during cutting (1-100%).
  • Passes – Number of times the laser will follow the same path. Multiple passes are often better for thick materials than a single slow pass.
  • Kerf Compensation – Compensates for the thickness of the laser beam. Setting this to 0.1 mm will offset the path by 0.1 mm to ensure the final part has the exact dimensions intended.
  • Laser Mode (M3/M4):
    • M3 (Constant) – The laser stays at the set power regardless of speed.
    • M4 (Dynamic) – Power scales automatically with speed (recommended for most GRBL controllers to prevent burnt corners).
  • Air Assist (M8/M9) – Automatically toggles your air pump or compressor if supported by your machine.

Engrave Settings

These settings apply to any paths found on the ENGRAVE layer of your DXF/SVG files and for the raster engraving. Note that engraving always runs before cutting to ensure the part remains stable in the material sheet while being engraved.

  • Speed & Power – Typically higher speed and lower power than cutting.
  • Passes – Usually kept at 1 for engraving.

Generating and Downloading

  1. Click the Play button (play_arrow) to start the G-code generation.
  2. Once finished, a list of G-code files (one for each material sheet) will appear in the sidebar and you will see preview of the machine motion on the right side.
  3. You can Download individual files or proceed directly to the Execute G-code page to start cutting.

Advanced Generation Options

In addition to processing nested layouts, the Generate page allows you to work with single files or calibration tools directly.

Upload Part

If you don't need to nest multiple parts, you can upload a single DXF, SVG, or Bitmap file directly on the Generate page. After uploading, you can set the exact dimensions (Width/Height) of the part before generating its G-code. This is the fastest way to process a single item.

Engrave Image

This feature is designed for raster-only engraving. You can upload an image (PNG, JPG, BMP) and convert it into a dithered G-code toolpath. You can adjust the following in the Engrave Image modal:

  • Dithering – Choose between Floyd-Steinberg, Bayer, or Threshold.
  • Resolution – Select the DPI (e.g., 254 DPI for 0.1 mm line spacing).
  • Adjustments – Fine-tune brightness and contrast, or invert the image.
  • Scaling – Set the final size of the engraved image on the material.
Dekupeo Engrave single image in Dekupeo
Engrave single image dialog.

Generate Test (Calibration)

To find the perfect power and speed settings for a new material, use the Calibration Test Generator. It allows you to create a test grid of squares with varying parameters:

  • Cut Test – Creates a grid where each row or column uses different Speeds (e.g., 500 to 2000 mm/min) or Passes, at a fixed power. This helps you find the threshold where the laser cleanly cuts through the material.
  • Engrave Test – Creates a power/speed matrix. This is essential for seeing how different combinations of speed and power affect the darkness and depth of the engraving on your specific material.
Dekupeo Generate cutting tests G-code
Generate cutting tests G-code in Dekupeo.