3d Engraving help

[Keoni]

New guy here 1.5 weeks old. I’ve been trying to use inkscape to try my hand at 3d engraving. I want to move on from just using my GF as a glorified inkjet printer and try and create something more exciting.
Is there a video on how to get a good image to print? I have been tracing the bitmap to get multiple layers and trying to combine the best layer to print but they get muddled and loose definition. Been trying to use scrap pine for now so I don’t waste my good proof grade wood. I sure hope there is a video out there. I have been looking at youtube and searching this forum but no luck.
Also I don’t see the option to 3d engrave when I select manual. Is it because I’m not using proofgrade?

[Jules]

3D engraving uses something called Depth Mapping, which is usually created in a program like Blender or Zbrush, although there are some workarounds for those who don’t have the $$$ to blow on Zbrush.

Link here:

Tutorial - Creating a Depth Map from a 3D Model for 3D Engraving!

Here is a quick and easy tutorial that I know a lot of you will find useful. Creating a depth map from a 3d file! This will allow you to do 3d engravings like the ones youve seen me post. First you will need to download and install Meshlab. Its free and open source: http://www.meshlab.net/ Next, import whatever file you want to make a depth map from. Im gonna use Han Solo in carbonite. [File -> Import Mesh] (if you dont have a 3d model, just google what you are looking for + “3d model”. Youl…

Since it is a raster image, the 3D Engrave option will only show up in the Glowforge User Interface for raster images, and it is limited to hardwoods, acrylic and draftboard. (3D engraving on plywood generally doesn’t work very well because of the veneer.)

If you are using Manual Settings, you can duplicate the effect of the 3D Engrave process by using Vary Power rather than Convert to Dots.

[Keoni]

Thanks for the rapid reply Jules. I’ll check that out.!

[kittski]

You need a depth map to get a true to life 3D engraving, but you can get interesting results using a regular grey scale images as well. Just keep in mind that the darker the color, the deeper it burns. These are the 3D posts I have bookmarked.

Manual 3D Engrave Settings - ProofGrade Thick Clear Acrylic

295 Speed 80% Power Map Grays to Power Min Power 0 340 LPI Focus Height 0.356" (defocused 0.120" over factory PG setting) 2 Passes I have to re-visit the depth map file because both eyes should have been completely clear and the stitching over the mouth should be clear as well but that detail is so tiny it just got washed out in the laser process. Think I might try this again without defocusing at all so those details dont get burned out. I included a photo looking into the edge of the a…

and here

Tutorial: 3D Engraving Depth Map Concept, using 2D Design Software

A little ways back I told @Jules I would do some Depth Map tutorials for the repository, and had started some basics. Then @dan released the Glowforge logo usage guidelines, so I decided to start fresh using the logo. This is more of a conceptual approach than a specific How-To, because of the various methods and software to go about creating the artwork. Whether you’re using vector software like Illustrator, Inkscape, Affinity Designer or CorelDraw, or raster image editing software like Photos…

Gradient Engraving Basketweave Pattern

Sarbarmultimedia and @m_raynsford have some interesting tests at variable depth engraving. I won’t call it 3D because these are far from finished examples of what will be possible with 3D engraving enabled. I’m curious, especially with @takitus chipping away at this feature on the Glowforge. I thought I would see how gradients in Inkscape worked, exported as a PNG with no processing. Just brought in to the UI, rescaled smaller and printed. <img src="//cdck-file-uploads-global.s3.dualstack.us…

[Keoni]

Thank you Kittski. I will check those out when I get home from work.
So with 3D you basically layer lighter to darker? I tried doing it with layers after tracing the bitmap but the details kept getting blown out for some reason. I did try to delete the muttled layers and keep the more detailed layers. Cant wait to get back home and read thru these.
Thanks again.

[rbtdanforth]

@Keoni

So with 3D you basically layer lighter to darker?

That is the case but you will be wanting to use Gimp rather than Inkscape. Inkscape as a final finishing with vectors will use the grayscale Gimp raster but you will need the Gimp to do the raster.

I did an easy start description here…

Inkscape gradients

Ok! I walked through several examples of things to know If I got a bit silly at the end. First you open the svg in gimp and get a lot of options: [shad-1] This one was big to start with but 1600 or 1800 x value up to 10,000 will give a lot of resolution. Import paths turn vector lines into Gimp paths, merge paths makes them all one and not as useful usually. You can build selection sets easily enough yourself of course, and put new paths along those selection sets as in: [shad-2] Once I …

[Keoni]

Thanks Rbtdanforth

[BenR]

Thank you @Jules, @kittski, and @rbtdanforth for the helpful links! I’m going to close this thread - if the problem reoccurs, go ahead and post a new topic. Thanks for letting us know about this!