XCS for iPad is finally here!

XCS for iPad is finally here!

Nov 15, 2025110 mins read

XCS for iPad Beta 2 is here, fixing app expiration and adding Wi-Fi setup, SVG import, gesture guides, and feedback options. Learn about new features, system requirements, and how to get support.

XCS App Update Details

For artisans and designers in the leather crafting community, precision and an intuitive workflow are paramount. The tools we use, especially design software for our laser engravers and cutters, significantly impact our ability to bring intricate leather designs to life. We’re excited to share the latest developments concerning the XCS app, now making its debut on the iPad, specifically tailored to enhance your creative process. An initial hiccup where the app expired on April 20th has been swiftly resolved, ensuring seamless access for all users. You can now download the app using the original link and dive into a more portable and efficient design experience.

The launch of XCS for iPad marks a significant step forward, offering a beta version that brings desktop-level capabilities directly to your tablet. This initial release and subsequent updates are designed to empower crafters with greater flexibility, whether you're working on delicate leather etching, intricate cutting patterns, or robust engraving projects. This version is still in its beta phase, meaning your feedback is invaluable in shaping its future. We encourage all leather enthusiasts and xTool machine users to explore its features and share any questions or suggestions to help refine this powerful new tool.

Elevating Your Mobile Design with Beta 2 Enhancements

The latest iteration, XCS for iPad Beta 2, introduces a suite of significant improvements designed to streamline your design and machine operation, directly benefiting those who work with leather and other materials. One of the most anticipated features is the supported Wi-Fi setup connection, allowing you to link your XCS-iPad to your xTool machine without the need for a USB cable. This wireless convenience frees up your workspace and simplifies connectivity, making it easier to transition from design to laser processing on materials like leather, wood, or acrylic.

Beyond connectivity, the app now boasts an added thumbnail preview for files, which vastly improves organization and file management. When dealing with multiple design files for various leather projects, quickly identifying the correct pattern or engraving file saves precious time. Furthermore, Beta 2 fully supports opening SVG and other common image files directly within XCS, offering enhanced flexibility for importing your complex designs. There are two intuitive methods to import these essential files:

  1. Click "Image," select "Files," and then choose the desired image file.
  2. Open the image file you wish to import, tap the "Share" button in the upper right corner, and then select "Open with XCS."

These options provide versatile ways to bring your digital leather patterns, logos, and artworks into the XCS canvas, ready for refinement and laser application. The update also includes clear instructions for gestures, making navigation and interaction with the app more fluid and intuitive for tablet users. A dedicated portal has been integrated to collect user feedback, accessible from the home page by clicking the hamburger button (☰) and then "Feedback" at the bottom. This direct channel ensures your insights as a leather crafter contribute to the app's ongoing development.

Crucially, Beta 2 has integrated many new features from the XCS V1.1 PC version, providing a consistent and powerful experience across platforms (with the exception of the Auto-snapping switch). Several critical bug fixes have also been implemented to ensure a smoother operation. These include resolving connection issues with the D1 Pro, fixing the problem of no prompt after processing completion, and addressing other known bugs. These enhancements mean more reliable machine operation, allowing you to focus on the intricate details of your leather projects without interruption. While functions like vector drawing, welding texts, and file transfer are slated for future updates, the current improvements significantly elevate the user experience for laser cutting and engraving applications.

Building the Foundation: Core Capabilities from Beta 1

The journey to XCS for iPad Beta 2 was built upon a strong foundation established in Beta 1, also known as the UAT XCS version. This initial release was instrumental in integrating the major functions supported by the XCS desktop version, effectively bringing a robust design environment to the iPad. A primary focus was to support the main laser processing functions of xTool machines, including the M1, D1, and D1 Pro. This compatibility ensures that users can confidently design their leather patterns and engraving tasks directly on their iPad and execute them with their existing xTool equipment.

A significant feature from Beta 1 that continues to benefit crafters is the cross-compatibility of XCS project files. Projects saved on the desktop XCS can be seamlessly opened on XCS-iPad, and vice versa. This flexibility is invaluable for artisans who might start a leather design on their PC and wish to make final adjustments or initiate processing from their iPad. The app also introduced a comprehensive home page structured into four intuitive sections: Projects, Community, Support, and Shop, providing quick access to all essential resources. Furthermore, Beta 1 supported importing pictures to the canvas by directly taking photos, a handy feature for digitizing hand-drawn leather sketches or existing physical patterns. To enhance design efficiency, four shortcuts were added to the element selection box, allowing users to quickly copy, delete, zoom in or out on a selection, and access the aspect ratio lock by simply tapping the corners of the box. These foundational elements ensure that the XCS for iPad app is not just a viewer, but a powerful, active design tool for all your laser crafting endeavors.

Optimizing Your Experience and Engaging with the Future

To ensure the best possible experience with the XCS for iPad app, especially when tackling detailed leather projects, adhering to the recommended configuration is essential. The minimum supported system version for XCS-iPad APP is iPad OS 15, meaning your iPad's operating system should be iOS 15 or above. While specific device configuration recommendations are not detailed here, ensuring your device meets the OS requirement will help facilitate smooth performance, crucial for managing complex design files and ensuring accurate communication with your xTool laser machine.

The development of the XCS for iPad app is an ongoing process, with exciting features already on the horizon. Future updates are planned to include robust functions such as vector drawing, advanced welding texts, and enhanced file transfer capabilities. These forthcoming additions promise to further expand the app's utility, offering even more powerful tools for creating sophisticated leather designs and streamlining your entire crafting workflow. The commitment to continuous improvement underscores the importance of user involvement.

Your feedback is a cornerstone of this development. For further support and to connect with a broader community of xTool users and fellow crafters, you are encouraged to join the Facebook group chat. You can reach out to Sia Wei at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100080165629248 to join. Additionally, you can always leave your valuable feedback about the XCS-iPad directly in the comment section of this post. Your input helps ensure that the XCS app evolves into the most effective and user-friendly design software for laser engraving and cutting, perfectly suited for the dynamic world of leather crafting.

Beta 2 Features Unveiled

The highly anticipated XCS for iPad application has recently addressed an expiration issue, ensuring seamless access for all users once again. As the app re-establishes its presence, the development team is excited to roll out Beta 2, a significant update that introduces a host of enhancements designed to elevate the user experience for xTool machine operators. This latest iteration builds upon the robust foundation laid by Beta 1, which successfully integrated major functions from the desktop XCS version and supported the core laser processing capabilities of xTool M1, D1, and D1 Pro machines. Beta 2 focuses on refining connectivity, expanding file compatibility, and streamlining user interaction, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible directly from your iPad.

Streamlined Connectivity and Advanced File Handling

A cornerstone of the Beta 2 release is the significant improvement in machine connectivity and overall file management. Users can now enjoy the convenience of a supported Wi-Fi setup connection on XCS-iPad, eliminating the need for a USB cable for initial setup. This advancement truly liberates your workspace, allowing for greater flexibility and mobility while preparing your projects. Furthermore, navigating through your design assets has become considerably more efficient with the addition of a thumbnail preview for files. This visual aid helps users quickly identify and select the correct project files, saving valuable time and reducing potential errors.

Beyond enhanced connectivity, Beta 2 also introduces crucial support for opening SVG and other image files directly within XCS. This feature is a game-changer for designers and makers, as SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) files are widely used for their scalability and precision in vector-based design. The app provides two intuitive methods for importing these files:

  • One approach involves navigating within the app, clicking 'Image', selecting 'Files', and then choosing the desired image file to import.
  • Alternatively, users can open the image file directly from their iPad's file system, click the 'Share' button in the upper right corner, and then select 'Open with XCS'.

These flexible import options ensure that creative workflows are unhindered, allowing users to bring a wider variety of designs to life on their xTool machines with ease.

Enhanced User Experience and Responsive Feedback Channels

The development team has also placed a strong emphasis on refining the overall user experience within XCS for iPad. Beta 2 includes comprehensive instructions for gestures, helping users master the app's intuitive touch controls more quickly and efficiently. This commitment to usability ensures that both new and experienced users can interact with their designs and machine controls seamlessly on the iPad's interface. Moreover, for those already familiar with the desktop version, Beta 2 has integrated many of the new features introduced in XCS V1.1 PC version, ensuring a consistent and powerful experience across platforms (with the exception of the switch for Auto-snapping). This cross-platform consistency simplifies transitions and allows users to leverage their existing knowledge.

Recognizing the invaluable role of user input in refining software, Beta 2 introduces a dedicated portal for collecting user feedback. This direct channel empowers the community to contribute to the app's ongoing development. Users can easily access this feedback mechanism by going to the home page, clicking the hamburger button (☰) in the upper left corner, and then selecting 'Feedback' at the bottom. This structured approach to gathering suggestions and bug reports demonstrates a proactive commitment to continuous improvement, ensuring that future updates are truly aligned with user needs and preferences.

Critical Bug Fixes and Future Horizons

Beyond the exciting new features, Beta 2 also delivers crucial stability and performance improvements by addressing several known issues. A significant fix includes resolving the connection issue specifically affecting the D1 Pro machine, ensuring reliable operation for users of this popular model. Furthermore, the problem of a missing prompt after processing is completed has been fixed, providing clearer communication and feedback during project execution. Alongside these targeted improvements, Beta 2 also tackles other known bugs, contributing to a more stable, reliable, and frustration-free experience for all users. These fixes are paramount for a beta release, highlighting the team's dedication to quality assurance.

While Beta 2 brings substantial advancements, the journey of refinement continues. The development team has indicated that several key functionalities, including vector drawing, welding texts, and file transfer capabilities, are planned for integration in future updates. This forward-looking perspective assures users of an evolving platform that will continue to grow in features and sophistication. To ensure the best possible experience with the XCS-iPad APP, users are reminded that the minimum supported system version is iPad OS 15 or above. Adhering to these recommended configurations will help unlock the full potential of the application and its powerful laser processing capabilities. Stay tuned for what promises to be an exciting roadmap of future enhancements, further empowering your creative endeavors with xTool.

Importing Files & Feedback

In the dynamic world of digital fabrication and creative design, the ability to seamlessly import various file types and provide constructive feedback on evolving software is paramount. For users of XCS for iPad, the latest beta release introduces significant enhancements in both these critical areas, ensuring a more fluid design workflow and an active role in shaping the application's future. As a beta version, the XCS for iPad app, while robust, is continuously refined, making user input invaluable. Understanding the various methods for bringing your creative visions into the workspace and the straightforward processes for sharing your insights are essential for maximizing your experience with this innovative laser processing solution.

Enhancing Creative Workflows with Advanced File Importing

The XCS for iPad application, even in its beta stage, demonstrates a strong commitment to supporting a diverse range of design inputs, crucial for any modern creative software. A notable improvement in Beta 2 is the enhanced capability for opening SVG and other image files directly within XCS. This feature is a cornerstone for designers who work with various graphic formats, providing the flexibility needed to integrate existing artwork or custom designs into their laser projects. Furthermore, to streamline the design process and enhance user efficiency, Beta 2 also introduces a highly anticipated thumbnail preview for files. This addition allows users to quickly identify and select the correct files without needing to open each one individually, saving precious time and reducing potential errors in a busy project schedule. The visual clarity offered by thumbnail previews significantly improves the user interface, making file management more intuitive and less cumbersome, particularly for those juggling multiple design iterations or complex projects.

Beyond new file type support, the XCS-iPad bridges the gap between desktop and mobile creative environments. Project files meticulously crafted and saved on the desktop XCS application are fully compatible and can be seamlessly opened on XCS-iPad. This bidirectional compatibility extends the utility of your projects, allowing you to start a design on your computer and refine it on your iPad, or vice versa, offering unparalleled flexibility for designers on the go. This integration ensures that your creative flow is uninterrupted, whether you are at your workshop, in a client meeting, or simply working from a different location. The ability to access and manipulate your core project files across devices is a testament to the thoughtful design aimed at supporting a truly mobile creative experience. Future updates promise to further enhance file handling capabilities, with forthcoming support for general file transfer, which will undoubtedly add another layer of convenience and interoperability for users.

Diverse Methods for Seamless Design Integration

Integrating your visual assets into the XCS for iPad environment has been made remarkably straightforward, offering users multiple intuitive pathways to bring their designs onto the canvas. For those working with SVG and other image files, Beta 2 provides two distinct and user-friendly methods. The first method is directly accessible within the application: users can simply click the "Image" option, select "Files," and then navigate to choose the specific image file they wish to import. This conventional approach is familiar to most digital artists and ensures a direct path to accessing your stored designs. The second method, designed for greater fluidity and integration within the iPad ecosystem, involves opening the desired image file externally on your iPad. Once the image is open, users can utilize the "Share" button, typically located in the upper right corner of the screen, and then select the option to open the file with XCS. This method leverages the iPad's native sharing capabilities, making it incredibly convenient for importing images from various sources, such as photo albums, cloud storage, or other applications.

Beyond importing pre-existing digital files, XCS-iPad empowers users with the immediate ability to capture new visuals directly into their projects. The application supports importing pictures to the canvas by taking photos directly with the iPad's camera. This feature is particularly useful for capturing textures, reference images, or even scanning physical sketches on the fly, transforming immediate inspiration into a digital design element without needing to switch between multiple apps or devices. This instant capture capability, combined with the multiple file import options for established design formats, positions XCS-iPad as a comprehensive tool for both spontaneous creativity and structured project development. These varied import mechanisms underscore the app's commitment to accessibility and efficiency, ensuring that designers, regardless of their preferred workflow, can easily populate their canvas with the necessary visual components for their laser processing endeavors.

Empowering Users Through Comprehensive Feedback Channels

The development of any advanced software, especially in its beta phase, thrives on user engagement and feedback. Recognizing this crucial aspect, XCS for iPad Beta 2 has significantly enhanced its feedback collection mechanisms, providing users with dedicated channels to share their experiences and suggestions. A key addition is the integration of a specialized portal designed solely to collect user feedback. This streamlined system makes it incredibly easy for users to report issues, suggest improvements, or simply share their thoughts on the application's functionality. Accessing this portal is straightforward: users can navigate to the home page, click the hamburger button (☰) located in the upper left corner, and then select the "Feedback" option situated at the bottom of the menu. This direct in-app pathway ensures that your valuable input reaches the development team efficiently, playing a pivotal role in refining the app and addressing any emergent challenges.

Beyond the dedicated in-app feedback portal, the XCS team encourages users to utilize other available channels for communication. For any immediate questions or suggestions while interacting with the beta version, users are invited to leave comments directly on the announcement post. This public forum allows for community interaction and often facilitates quick clarifications or shared solutions among users. For those seeking a more interactive and direct line of communication, joining the dedicated Facebook group chat is highly recommended. By contacting Sia Wei, users can gain access to this community, fostering a collaborative environment where discussions can take place, and detailed feedback can be exchanged. These multiple avenues for engagement underscore a commitment to user-centric development, ensuring that the XCS for iPad evolves not just through internal development, but through the collective experience and insights of its user base, aiming for an optimal and user-friendly application for all creative laser processing needs.

Beta 1 Core Functions

The introduction of XCS for iPad, in its "Beta 1 (UAT XCS version)" phase, significantly advances digital fabrication for leather crafting. This initial release offers a robust mobile design and control environment, extending sophisticated desktop capabilities to a portable format. Valuing unique digital ownership, akin to an NFT, accessible and flexible tools are essential. This beta supports main laser processing functions vital for xTool machines—M1, D1, D1 Pro—enabling precise cutting and engraving on various leathers, aligning with a secure Web3 design ecosystem for your creative digital assets.

Foundational Digital Crafting & Cross-Device Harmony

XCS for iPad Beta 1 seamlessly integrates major desktop functions for a smooth user transition. Complex leather designs are managed with familiar precision. Key is effortless cross-device compatibility: XCS project files saved on desktop can be opened on XCS-iPad, and vice versa. This interoperability, echoing decentralized data access where valuable digital assets—your unique design files—are not confined to one device, allows design on desktop, refinement on iPad, and execution on an xTool machine. This flexibility, like a blockchain ledger recording transactions, enhances productivity and safeguards against digital phishing of intellectual property. Core laser processing functions are precisely calibrated for xTool machines, offering meticulous control for diverse leather applications. Initial support for M1, D1, and D1 Pro models ensures broad user access, moving craft toward a Web3 paradigm of accessible, interconnected tools.

Streamlined Project Management & Intuitive Asset Handling

Beyond core processing, XCS for iPad Beta 1 introduces an intuitively designed home page for optimized project management. This central hub is segmented into four key areas: Projects, Community, Support, and Shop. The 'Projects' section serves as your personal blockchain for creative endeavors, housing all design files and offering rapid access. The 'Community' fosters shared learning, vital for a vibrant ecosystem, much like decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs). 'Support' ensures readily available assistance, while the 'Shop' provides access to essential resources. This integrated approach organizes workflow and connects you to a broader network, potentially enhancing your digital assets through collective engagement, mirroring a tokenized creative economy.

A noteworthy feature is the capability to import pictures directly onto the canvas via the iPad's camera. This is beneficial for leather crafters seeking to replicate physical textures, trace hand-drawn sketches, or integrate real-world elements into digital designs. Capturing a unique leather grain or pattern and seamlessly integrating it into your XCS project offers immediate inspiration. The app further refines element manipulation with four shortcuts embedded within the element selection box. These allow rapid copying, deletion, zooming, and aspect ratio locking. Such micro-interactions significantly boost efficiency, akin to executing smart contracts for automated, precise design adjustments, ensuring fluid iterations for your leather creations.

Elevating User Experience & Future-Proofing Craft

The user experience in Beta 1 emphasizes accessibility and control, with quick shortcuts underscoring a commitment to intuitive design. This translates to more time for creative exploration in leather crafting. The entire Beta 1 release embodies the ethos of early-stage Web3 development—a community-driven initiative where early adopters are crucial in shaping the platform's future. Feedback is actively sought, forming a vital loop for continuous improvement, much like a decentralized governance model.

For an optimal experience, XCS-iPad APP mandates a minimum system version of iPad OS 15 or higher. Adherence is critical for app integrity and security, protecting your creative digital assets, and ensuring seamless performance. This adherence is analogous to validating entry into a secure digital ledger, guaranteeing all creative transactions execute flawlessly. As XCS for iPad progresses, with future updates promising advanced functions like vector drawing and secure file transfer, it sets the stage for a richer, more integrated digital crafting landscape. The Beta 1 core functions establish a robust foundation for this exciting future, empowering leather crafters to innovate within the evolving digital and Web3 artistic domains, mitigating risks of digital phishing for creative ideas.

Configuration and Support

Enabling Your Creative Journey: The XCS for iPad Release

The highly anticipated XCS for iPad application has officially arrived, marking a significant step forward for mobile laser engraving. Users may have noted a brief expiry issue around April 20th; however, this has been promptly resolved, and the application is now fully accessible for download via the established link. This initial release is designated as a beta version, signifying an active development phase where user interaction and feedback are paramount. This iterative development process, characterized by prompt issue resolution, is crucial for building robust software, much like secure development practices in sensitive digital environments where reliability and transparency protect user operations and data integrity. Your insights and suggestions during this beta period are invaluable for refining the application's capabilities and ensuring a stable, secure user experience.

Enhanced Operational Security and User Experience in Beta 2

The latest Beta 2 update introduces several key features designed to enhance both operational security and user experience. A significant addition is the supported Wi-Fi setup connection, enabling users to link their XCS-iPad to xTool machines without the need for a USB cable. This untethered connectivity contributes to operational stability by simplifying setup and reducing reliance on physical connections, which is a foundational element of secure and uninterrupted workflows. This mirrors the need for stable network connections in decentralized applications to prevent transaction failures or data inconsistencies.

Further improvements include the addition of thumbnail previews for files, offering immediate visual confirmation of content. The application also now supports opening SVG and various other image files. Importing these files can be done in two convenient ways: either by selecting 'Image' then 'Files' within the XCS app, or by utilizing the 'Share' button in the upper right corner of the image file viewer and choosing to open with XCS. These features streamline the creative process, offering visual confirmation and flexible input pathways. Providing clear, verified paths for data input is a key aspect of preventing data corruption or unauthorized modifications, a principle vital in maintaining the integrity of digital assets.

To further assist users, Beta 2 integrates comprehensive instructions for gestures, making navigation more intuitive. A dedicated portal for collecting user feedback has also been added, accessible from the home page via the hamburger button (☰) and selecting 'Feedback'. Clear documentation enhances usability, while a dedicated feedback mechanism empowers users to report bugs or suggest improvements. This direct channel is critical for identifying and addressing potential vulnerabilities early in the development cycle, acting as a community-driven audit that strengthens the application's overall resilience against unforeseen issues and mitigates risks akin to discovering exploits in a secure system.

Moreover, the update integrates many of the new features found in the XCS V1.1 PC version, with the exception of the Auto-snapping switch. Several critical bugs have also been addressed, including connection issues with the D1 Pro machine, the absence of a prompt upon processing completion, and various other known issues. These updates underscore a commitment to application stability and reliability. A stable application minimizes operational risks, akin to robust smart contracts that are rigorously tested to prevent exploits and ensure predictable outcomes in a Web3 context.

Foundational Features from Beta 1: A Seamless Desktop Transition

The groundwork for the XCS for iPad application was meticulously laid during its Beta 1 (UAT XCS version) phase. This initial iteration focused on integrating the major functions supported by the desktop XCS version, ensuring a consistent user experience across platforms. It notably supported the main laser processing functions of various xTool machines, including the M1, D1, and D1 Pro. This continuity ensures that users can leverage their existing knowledge and projects without a steep learning curve, fostering a sense of familiarity and trust in the cross-platform experience, which is crucial for widespread adoption and user confidence.

A key feature from Beta 1 is the seamless compatibility of XCS project files; those saved on the desktop XCS can be opened on XCS-iPad, and vice versa. This bidirectional functionality facilitates a flexible workflow, allowing creators to transition effortlessly between devices. The ability to seamlessly transfer and open project files across devices highlights data interoperability and accessibility, crucial for users managing digital assets across various platforms while maintaining data integrity and preventing data silos.

The application's home page was also introduced in Beta 1, thoughtfully organized into four distinct parts: Projects, Community, Support, and Shop. This centralized hub enhances the app's utility and user engagement. Furthermore, users gained the ability to import pictures directly onto the canvas by utilizing their iPad's camera, adding another convenient method for content creation. To further streamline the design process, four essential shortcuts were added to the element selection box. By tapping the four corners of the box, users can quickly copy, delete, zoom in or out on a selection, and access the aspect ratio lock. These intuitive shortcuts improve user efficiency and control, empowering creators to manipulate their designs with precision and speed, reducing the potential for accidental errors during the design process.

Essential System Requirements for Optimal Performance and Stability

For an optimal and stable experience with the XCS-iPad application, adhering to the recommended system configuration is crucial. The minimum supported system version for the app is iPadOS 15. Therefore, users are advised to ensure their iPad's operating system is iOS 15 or above. Meeting these minimum specifications is vital for ensuring the application runs smoothly, preventing compatibility issues, and maintaining the stability necessary for precise crafting operations. This emphasis on system hygiene is fundamental to the operational security and reliability of any digital tool, helping to avoid unexpected crashes or data corruption that could impact creative projects.

Conclusion and Cultivating a Resilient Digital Crafting Ecosystem

The XCS for iPad application represents a significant leap in mobile laser engraving, bringing powerful design and control tools to a portable format. While still in its beta phase, its robust feature set—including Wi-Fi connectivity, versatile file import options, and cross-device project compatibility—promises an evolving and increasingly capable experience. Future updates, which are planned to include advanced functionalities like vector drawing, welding texts, and enhanced file transfer capabilities, will further expand the app's potential, empowering creators with even greater flexibility and precision in their projects.

To ensure the XCS for iPad continues to evolve into a secure, efficient, and user-friendly platform, active user participation is highly encouraged. Providing feedback via the dedicated in-app portal, engaging with the official Facebook group chat (by contacting Sia Wei), or commenting directly on announcement posts are vital avenues for communication. This collective vigilance and proactive feedback strengthen the app's resilience, much like community oversight enhances the security of decentralized networks against potential vulnerabilities or phishing attempts. Adhering to recommended configurations and staying updated with official communication channels are crucial practices for maintaining a stable, secure, and productive creative environment, fostering trust and long-term usability in your digital crafting journey.

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