Amazing!! I can’t stop playing with the 3D settings, I’m becoming obsessed!
Wow!
Wow!
I want to do some engraves like that, but I want to finish them in such a way that they look like they are made from plastic or metal… No wood grain or pores visible. How can you get a smooth finish on a part like that, suitable for painting?
Although it would reduce the detail, you could spray them with a high gloss paint or chrome paint. Krylon makes a bunch I believe.
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Or maybe you can try with Rust-Oleum Filler Primer or Spray PlastiDip.
I want to try some ceiling decorations, so thanks for the basswood tip
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But just adding paint would not conceal the grain, right? Don’t you need
something to fill it in if you want the final result to be not obviously
made from wood?
These are stellar! Please keep sharing!
sand a LOT first before adding the paint. You can work out the grain so it doesn’t show through the paint.
Maybe the sanding tip on a dremel
I’m just now approaching basswood 3d carves. What settings did you use to get these results?
I assume it’s the “vary power” by greyscale manual engrave. What speed?
I used the proofgrade 3D engraving option and let the machine do it’s thing 
Good luck!
Thanks. I am using some hobby store basswood, which is a different thickness, so I am off the reservation. It is promising so far though…
Aww, gotcha. For sure I’d go with varying power. It’s what I used pre-3D option and got good results.
I tried a little of both and from what I have seen, Vary Power gives more “D” than 3D Engrave. My first basswood tests are really encouraging!
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Nice! Post your efforts when you get a chance. I’ve been loving my engraving results with basswood and I like it in acrylic too. It took me numerous file changes/tweeks to get a good 3D engrave and this was my first attempt.
https://community.glowforge.com/t/1-4-acrylic-engrave-comparisons/10153?source_topic_id=13776That’s a great post, thanks! I am in the middle of a very promising basswood 3d carve right now. I’ll probably post more tomorrow!
When painting on wood or even canvas and you don’t want the material behind to rule the design (it is hard to paint a believable sky and fluffy clouds with the material poking thru the design ) the background is first prepared with gesso or filler paste made for that purpose (some folk put their own texture even to accentuate the design) but with those and a bit of sanding if needed to smooth any texture left by the application process would leave a pristine white base as if it was cast plaster
A small tool like a nut pick run in any grooves you want to show while the gesso is still drying should let you keep the details you want to show.
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I knew there had to be such a thing as gesso but didn’t know what it was called. Back to the craft store I go. Thanks!
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