Most CO2 lasers ship with a Ruida controller and RDWorks on a USB stick — and RDWorks does not run on a Mac. Here is what does.
Try Vextrify freeNo. RDWorks is Windows software and has no macOS version. That leaves Mac owners three options: a Windows PC or virtual machine just for the laser, LightBurn Pro, which drives Ruida controllers on macOS, or Vextrify, which drives Ruida CO2 lasers from its desktop app on Apple Silicon Macs. Your laser's own control panel keeps working whichever you choose.
A second PC beside the laser means designing on the Mac and moving files across. A virtual machine on an Apple Silicon Mac needs an ARM version of Windows, and the laser's USB connection has to pass through it; when that hand-over drops, the job stops mid-piece. Both work, but they add steps exactly where a CO2 job should be simple.
LightBurn is the established paid choice; its Pro edition adds Ruida and galvo controllers to the G-code lasers that Core covers. Vextrify's desktop app drives Ruida CO2 lasers over USB with framing and a dry run, places the design on the workpiece with a calibrated camera, and prepares photos, logos and layouts in the same app. Each laser gets its own tab with its own settings.
The machine's settings live in the Ruida controller, not in RDWorks, so they stay where they are. Before you switch, write down the work area, the origin corner and the speed and power you use for each material — those you enter once in the new program. Then run a frame and a small test on scrap before the first real job.
Load a photo in the browser with a free account to see it prepared (exporting needs a Studio plan), then install the desktop app on an Apple Silicon Mac, connect the laser over USB and choose it in the setup. On an Intel Mac, prepare files in the browser and use another program for the laser.
Download the desktop appNot natively. RDWorks is Windows software. On a Mac you need a Windows PC or virtual machine, or a program that drives Ruida natively, such as LightBurn Pro or Vextrify.
LightBurn Pro and Vextrify drive Ruida controllers from macOS. Vextrify's desktop app runs on Apple Silicon Macs.
No. They are stored in the Ruida controller. Note your work area, origin and material settings so you can enter them once in the new program.