How to Perform 3D Inner Engraving in Crystal Balls/Spheres

⚠Please make sure before engraving: 

• Follow the user manual to install ComMarker Studio and assemble the machine with the computer. 
• Important Mount the 70×70 field lens and select the corresponding lens setting in the software. 
• Remove the lens cap. 
• Power on the engraver.

Note:

To avoid interruptions, please disable screen sleep settings or ensure the computer remains active until the engraving process is complete.

1. Prepare the Engraving Oil, Crystal Balls/Spheres, Protective Gloves, Measuring Cup, the Ball Base from the ComMarker K9 Crystal Ball Kit and an opaque flat plate.

Note:

The opaque flat plate is required for preview alignment.

an opaque flat plate

2. Put the Ball Base into the Measuring Cup and carefully place the crystal ball onto the Ball Base.

3. Place the Cup on the engraving bed and put the plate on top. Make sure the red dot is on the plate surface.

4. Click the “Focus” button in the bottom-right corner of the interface to start autofocus. 

5.Use Draw to create a 68 mm circle, then click Center.

Note:

68 mm is the diameter of the measuring cup provided in the kit. 

You can use the size based on your equipment, but the maximum supported circle diameter is 70 mm.

6. Click the Preview Contour, and Click Preview.

6. Remove the plate. Use the preview helper to alige the preview circle with the rim of the measuring cup. 

Important Once the alignment is finished, do not change the position of the crystal ball or the measuring cup until the engraving process is complete.

Tips:

Check the alignment from multiple directions to prevent misalignment of the engraving result.

7. Click the “3D Glass” module and import your STL / GLB / OBJ file using Import.

Tips:

• STL: Contains only the 3D shape; small and easy to process but offers simpler details for engraving.

• OBJ: Supports textures, making it ideal for high-quality glass engraving with richer internal effects.

• GLB: A compact, all-in-one format that includes geometry, textures, and materials embedded in a single file.

  *The GLB engraving feature is new. If you encounter any issues, please ensure your software is updated to version 1.0.21 or later.

  *If you create combined models in 3D modeling software, we recommend exporting them as STL files to ensure stable positioning and prevent import errors.

OBJ and GLB engraving sample	STL engraving sample

OBJ file engraving requires detailed preparation before engraving, please refer to How to Use OBJ File for Glass Inner Engraving for details

8. Ensure the red dot is on the engraving bed. Click Focus.

9. Use the Adjust  Z-axis function to raise the laser head by 12mm.

Note:  Why the Z-axis needs to be adjusted and how much to move
The sphere is placed on a ball base inside a cup, positioning it above the engraving bed, while the bed recess lowers the sphere’s bottom relative to the bed surface.

After autofocus on the engraving bed, raise the laser head so the focal point aligns with the lowest point of the sphere.

Reference values: (using our official 15 mm ball base) 50 mm → 10 mm, 55 mm → 11 mm, 60 mm → 12 mm, 65 mm → 12 mm, 70 mm → 13 mm.

10. Import your crystal ball diameter at the Crystal section.

Note:

For the 60 mm crystal ball we provide, set the XYZ value to 60 mm.

11. Adjust your model size. 

Note:

In most cases, we recommend setting the model’s maximum engraving size to:

Sphere diameter × 0.55

This ensures safe placement inside the sphere.

For the provided 60 mm crystal ball, keep the XYZ dimensions under 34 mm.

For spherical or slender models, please adjust the size based on the model geometry and sphere diameter.

12.(Optional) If the model orientation is incorrect, use the Move and Rotate tools to adjust its X, Y, or Z angles until it faces the desired direction.

13. Enter the following settings in the section below.

For 6w:

For 12w:

14. Pour the engraving oil into the measuring cup until the liquid level just covers the surface of the crystal ball.

15. Close the safety door and click Start to begin engraving.

Note：

The Deflecting process before engraving may take a few minutes. Please do not exit. You will see the Processing window once deflecting is done.

16.After engraving is finished, put on protective gloves.

While keeping the ball firmly in place, slowly tilt the cup and pour the engraving oil back into the bottle.

Note:

Please avoid letting debris enter the engraving oil so it can be reused.

17. Remove the engraved crystal ball from the cup.
Clean the crystal ball and the engraving bed.

For more operational guide and specifications,

 View Full ComMarker Omni X Operation Tutorial↗