Is Glowforge Aura a design fad or the way forward for crafting? By Ian Dean revealed 26 July 23 Cricut has competitors from a brand new laser machine.

2 months ago 3 min read

The brand new Glowforge Aura is a laser slicing and engraver with crafters in thoughts. It is a part of a brand new pattern for laser machines to encroach on the digital crafting scene made fashionable by Cricut, however can this compact laser craft machine actually nudge out the blade machines everyone seems to be used to? Perhaps.

For years laser engravers and cutters have been massive, heavy machines (yow will discover a roundup of the most effective laser machines in my information) however this 12 months has seen a pattern for smaller, compact laser-based cutters and engravers which have digital crafters and hobbyists of their sights. Some are enclosed machines like the superb xTool M1 whilst you can learn my LaserPecker 4 assessment to seek out an instance of a neat desktop machine.

The brand new Glowforge Aura is an enclosed laser machine that takes the entire nice issues I like about this model (learn my Glowforge Professional assessment) and locations it right into a compact, clear machine that measures simply 20.5 x 22 inches. It means the Glowforge Aura can sit comfortably on a craft desk and turns into a house gadget somewhat than a machine for the workshop.

(Picture credit score: Glowforge)

One different space the place Glowforge Aura is being aggressive is in its worth; the bigger Glowforge Professional prices round $7,000 / £6,000 whereas this new compact machine is available in at $1,200 / £943.90, making it cheaper than the equally specced xTool M1 however twice the price of a Cricut Maker 3.

The factor I like is that this smaller machine apes the identical onboarding and person expertise of the bigger Glowforge laser machine; it makes use of the identical glorious browser-based app to allow you to design initiatives from scratch or import designs made in third-party software program like CorelDRAW or Adobe Illustrator. Glowforge has additionally launched its Magic Canvas AI too, to create laser-ready designs from textual content prompts. The Aura additionally makes use of Glowforge’s glorious Proofgrade supplies, so that you’re assured prime quality outcomes each time with out the trial and error of some laser machines.

The Glowforge Aura has a 12-by-12-inch workspace (but in addition has a passthrough slot like its massive brother the Glowforge Professional for bigger initiatives) and might minimize supplies as much as 1/4-inch thick. Inside is a category 4 laser, so it is not as quick and highly effective as a Professional, however for desktop crafting the Aura seems to be to have what you want (Glowforge has an excellent ecosystem and states which Proofgrade supplies work with Aura).

Glowforge Aura; a laser engraves a pattern onto a MacBook Air

(Picture credit score: Glowforge)

So, fad or the way forward for crafting? I am leaning into viewing the Glowforge Aura as the following step in digital crafting and design; I like my Glowforge Professional so the thought of getting this identical high-quality tech within the house may be very engaging. Curiously, Glowforge clearly has Cricut in its sights because the Aura can use minimize and engrave adhesive vinyl and iron-on vinyl, the type of the craft materials that has develop into a mainstay of Cricut Maker 3, and makes it a real Cricut different price trying out.

It is a laser machine although, and as such is usually a little messier than a Cricut. If you’re contemplating upgrading to a laser cutter and engraver, and utilizing it within the house, you will have the brand new private filter gadget that cleans the air as you’re employed (the Aura’s lid is safe however you will at all times get some vented materials).

I am taken with the brand new Glowforge Aura and might’t wait to see the place digital crafting and design goes in 2023 and into subsequent 12 months, and maybe Cricut might even hit again with a laser-based machine of its personal. The Glowforge Aura could be purchased solely within the US in the mean time, from Michaels and JOANN. You will discover extra particulars and buy choices on the Glowforge web site too.