3d Engraving- Anybody seen or used this

[Joe Kace]

Hi All,

My name is Joe and I am new to laser engraving. I have an interest in 3d grayscale artwork and came across this site. If anyone can guide me a little to if this program really works it would appreciated.
tetracebu.com/ness-cebu/LaserSimulator.html

Thanks
Joe

[Dan Hintz]

Plenty of free programs will transform a grayscale image to a 3D file. With lasers (all except the cheap Chinese models), there's no need to do a conversion. All modern laser systems directly support 3D engraving with a grayscale image by modifying beam strength based upon grayscale level.

[Viktor Voroncov]

Joe, what is your laser model?

[Joe Kace]

I have a Epilog Helix 40w

[Viktor Voroncov]

As I remember you must have 3D option in driver (something like attached) - isn't it?
I will post here two 3D files later today - try to output them on your laser and see result.

[Chuck Stone]

I use the 3D function all the time. (as we speak, in fact) but my
biggest problem with converting is that the programs can't distinguish
between a shadow and a deeper cut. For a 3D effect that is fine. But
to do relief, it isn't quite the same. It takes some tweaking and patience.
But it can work great.

[Joe Kace]

Thanks for all the info so far. I guess maybe I explained this wrong. I have tried to make 3d artwork, just small stuff and it's just not right. I do have the 3d option on my laser. I have read that is not really easy and being new it's really hard. I was thinking that this program would take my greyscale photo and convert it to a 3d file... nothing is that easy right? I have only been doing this for about 3 months now. I mainly do photography and custom cutting of PETG parts for pinball machines. I was just looking for something new to do.

Joe

[Martin Boekers]

Joe,

Reading over this website, it looks as though this is just a simulation
program. You first have to design the image file for 3d, getting the
greyscales to a level that you think will engrave nicely, then instead
of testing it on a laser (which could take quite a bit of time, even hours)
you can run the 3d file through this program and it will give you a semi
accurate rendition of what it would look like if you actually lasered it.

This would save time and money as you could see flaws in the simulation
and not wasting time doing test prototypes on the laser.

If you have PhotoGrav or a similar photo-to-laser converting program
they usually will have a simulator package with it, so you can see what
a final product will look like and get client approval before you run it.

You have to remember though, it is a simulation and it may vary in
final output. That being said I still find it usefull.

Hope this helps,

Marty

[Doug Griffith]

I use the 3D function all the time. (as we speak, in fact) but my
biggest problem with converting is that the programs can't distinguish
between a shadow and a deeper cut. For a 3D effect that is fine. But
to do relief, it isn't quite the same. It takes some tweaking and patience.
But it can work great.

Grayscale images are just that. For them to produce 3D reliefs, white needs to represent the highest z-axis point and black the lowest. Shades of gray for everything in between. This would not be a very visually appealing image in it's 2D representation. To do reliefs correctly, you should start out with a 3D model then convert to a grayscale bitmap using a program such as Artcam.

[Joe Kace]

Thanks everybody. I do appreciate the help and I'm sure glad I found this site.

Joe

[Dan Hintz]

Ah, now I see... you need help with creating a properly grayscale-ized (yes, I just made that word up) image.

In the next few weeks I hope to post a tutorial here on how to efficiently produce such a file (using Corel, though it will be possible in other packages). If I had more time lately, it would have been posted two weeks ago

[Joe Kace]

Dan that would be terrific. I hope I don't miss that post.

[Viktor Voroncov]

attached promised 3D sample files.


Sorry second file is bmp 570 kb which excess limits here - any ideas how share this file?

[Dan Hintz]

Zip it...

As a side note, JPG is the worst format to store grayscale depth maps... unless you're choosing very low compression levels, the errors build up along the block edges and create step discontinuities where you least want them.

[Viktor Voroncov]

My brains do not work - Friday and three weeks over 32C very unusual for our climate