Laserbox for Linux

Run the original Makeblock/xTool Laserbox 1.1.9 desktop software natively on 64-bit Linux, including:

• USB connection through the machine's RNDIS/Ethernet gadget
• built-in camera capture and corrected bed view
• camera-based artwork positioning
• material settings, preview and G-code generation
• job upload to the Laserbox

This project does not contain or redistribute Makeblock's proprietary software. The installer downloads the official Windows release, verifies its SHA-256 checksum, extracts its Electron app, downloads an official Linux Electron runtime, and applies a small compatibility patch locally.

Status

Tested end-to-end on Linux Mint 22.3 (x86_64) with a Makeblock Laserbox:

Feature	Result
USB discovery	Working
Built-in camera	Working
Corrected camera canvas	Working
Positioning and preview	Working
G-code generation	Working
Job upload	Working

Actual laser motion still requires the normal physical confirmation on the machine. Other Linux distributions and Laserbox firmware versions need more testing.

The upstream Laserbox download page identifies 1.1.9 as the current Laserbox release. The official Laserbox manual documents USB connection, the live camera canvas, material selection, and the normal job workflow.

Quick setup (Ubuntu / Linux Mint / Debian)

Install the prerequisites:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y curl unzip innoextract nodejs npm patch network-manager

Clone and install:

git clone https://github.com/jkramer5103/laserbox-linux.git
cd laserbox-linux
./install.sh

Now connect the Laserbox by USB, switch it on, wait about 15 seconds, and run:

laserbox-configure-usb
laserbox

The USB configuration is persistent. Normally, laserbox-configure-usb only needs to be run once for a given machine/network interface. The installer also tries to configure it automatically when the Laserbox is already connected.

Laserbox will also appear in the desktop application menu.

Using the camera and sending a job

1. Connect the machine and wait until the connection indicator is active.
2. Capture/update the camera image.
3. Place the artwork on the camera view.
4. Select the real material and thickness.
5. Choose Start, review the toolpath, then choose Send.
6. Check the machine and material, close the lid, and use the physical machine button when prompted.

Never leave a laser cutter unattended. Confirm material compatibility, ventilation, focus, power and speed before starting a job.

What the installer changes

Everything is installed per-user:

• application: ~/.local/opt/laserbox
• launcher: ~/.local/bin/laserbox
• USB helper: ~/.local/bin/laserbox-configure-usb
• diagnostics: ~/.local/bin/laserbox-diagnose
• desktop entry: ~/.local/share/applications/laserbox.desktop
• user data: ~/.config/laserbox

The USB helper creates a NetworkManager connection named Laserbox USB with:

• computer address: 201.234.3.2/24
• Laserbox address: 201.234.3.1
• no gateway and no DNS, so normal internet routing is unaffected

The compatibility patch:

• runs the extracted app on Electron 9.4.4 for Linux
• adapts Electron APIs removed after the app's original Electron 2 runtime
• lets Linux's cdc_ether driver satisfy the Windows RNDIS-driver check
• restores the app's local helper URL (http://127.0.0.1:7070)
• permits the legacy app to load the Laserbox camera over HTTP
• makes job sending use the successfully discovered machine address

Diagnostics

Run:

laserbox-diagnose

It reports the USB ID, network interface, route, machine status endpoint and camera endpoint without uploading or starting a job. Attach its output to bug reports.

See Troubleshooting for common failures and Technical details for the protocol and patch design.

For verbose application logs:

LASERBOX_DEBUG=1 laserbox

Reinstall or update

Run ./install.sh again. Downloads are cached in ~/.cache/laserbox-linux. Existing projects and calibration data in ~/.config/laserbox are retained.

Uninstall

./uninstall.sh

This retains user projects and calibration data. To remove those too:

./uninstall.sh --purge-data

Security and compatibility notes

Laserbox 1.1.9 is legacy software. Camera access requires Chromium web-security to be disabled for this application process, and the bundled code requires Electron's sandbox to be disabled. Do not browse untrusted content or open untrusted project files with this app. The launcher does not run as root.

The software and device communicate over a dedicated USB network. This project does not bypass the Laserbox's lid interlock or physical start confirmation.

Legal

Laserbox, Makeblock and xTool are trademarks of their respective owners. This is an independent compatibility project and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Makeblock or xTool. Makeblock's downloaded application remains subject to its own license and terms. The scripts and patches in this repository are MIT licensed.