Ruida controllers are the heart of most Chinese CO2 laser cutters. The software you use has to talk the Ruida protocol to generate and send RD job files. Three tools do this: RDWorks, LightBurn (DSP license), and Light Lane. Light Lane's Ruida support is in beta.
RDWorks is Ruida's own software. It has been around for many years and has the most extensively tested Ruida support of any tool on this list. It runs only on Windows. The interface is dated and unintuitive by modern standards. If you have an unusual Ruida machine and stability is your first concern, RDWorks is the safest bet. It is free.
LightBurn supports Ruida via its DSP license ($80 one-time). It handles the full Ruida protocol natively, including speed, power, passes, layers, and scan engraving. It works on macOS, Windows, and Linux. If you are already using LightBurn for GRBL and adding a CO2 machine, the DSP license is the natural upgrade.
Light Lane's Ruida support is in beta. It uses a different approach: rather than implementing the Ruida protocol directly in the main app, it delegates to an external helper binary called lightlane-ruida. You download and install this helper from the Light Lane website. The app auto-detects it. When you switch to Ruida mode in Settings, the app uses the helper to import your SVG, transform the geometry, generate an RD file, and send it over USB or Ethernet.
The beta limitation is real. The pipeline has been tested on specific Ruida machines the team has access to. Transport to machines works. Edge cases across the full range of Ruida hardware may exist. If you have a standard 60W or 80W Chinese CO2 laser with a Ruida controller, there is a reasonable chance it works. Run the 14-day free trial and test it on your machine before committing.
What Ruida mode in Light Lane gives you that RDWorks does not: macOS support, the AI Settings Assistant, a modern interface, and auto-update. What it does not yet give you compared to mature Ruida software: the full breadth of Ruida features tested across thousands of machines.
| RDWorks | LightBurn (DSP) | Light Lane (Beta) |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Windows only | Mac, Win, Linux |
| Price | Free | $80 one-time |
| Ruida maturity | High (native, years tested) | High (full DSP support) |
| AI settings assistant | No | No |
| Material test grid | No | No |
| macOS | No | Yes |
| External helper needed | No | No |
| Free trial | N/A (free) | 30-day trial |
The honest answer is: maybe. The pipeline has been tested on specific Ruida machines the team has access to. If you have a standard 60W or 80W Chinese CO2 with a Ruida controller, it has a reasonable chance of working. Run the 14-day free trial, install the lightlane-ruida helper from the website, and test it on your machine before committing.
Download the installer from the Light Lane website. It installs all dependencies and the lightlane-ruida binary automatically. Once installed, Light Lane detects it and shows a status badge in the Ruida toolbar. You only do this once.
Yes. You can send via USB serial or Ethernet (UDP). Enter your machine's IP in the Ethernet field in the Ruida toolbar and click Send. Ethernet transport works but may have edge cases on unusual network configurations.
The Material Test Grid runs in G-code mode only (GRBL, Marlin, or Smoothie). In Ruida mode, use RD file test builds and dry run to confirm settings rather than the test grid.
No. Ruida mode accepts SVG files only. One SVG at a time. If you drop in a PNG or JPEG while in Ruida mode, a warning dialog appears. Convert your artwork to SVG before switching to Ruida mode.
14 days free, full Pro access. Install the lightlane-ruida helper and test it on your machine before deciding.
Validate one real workflow in Light Lane, then move to the most relevant guide or feature page.
Last updated February 21, 2026
