software for picture engraving

[turpija]

is out there a software that would convert a bitmap into dots that would represent shades, so i can engrave it on a brass with diamond tip ?

i've tried photo vcarve, but it makes series of lines with different Z heights, but i think just a bunch of simple dots should give better results.

[mark296]

Start with a paint program like PSP or Gimp. Convert the picture to a halftone "your dots". Then use Inkscape to convert it to vectors. Then engrave away.

[turpija]

I've found a solution that works quite well ...

after creating halftone picture i've found a simple converted that for every "dot" in bitmap define a point in gcode, and if there is row of dot's it connect them in a line, so there is no constant moving Z axis if there is completely black area.

software is
BMP To Din G-Code Converter
http://www.majosoft.com/engraving/ht...are_tools.html

[Litografa]

I suggest engraving with hammer type engraver or laser for this type of engraving. Hammer type engravers have own software and for laser you can use PhotoGrave.

[joshuadri]

Originally Posted by turpija I've found a solution that works quite well ... after creating halftone picture i've found a simple converted that for every "dot" in bitmap define a point in gcode, and if there is row of dot's it connect them in a line, so there is no constant moving Z axis if there is completely black area. software is BMP To Din G-Code Converter http://www.majosoft.com/engraving/ht...are_tools.html

This looks very helpfull. I'm interested and I'll try ASAP.
I want to say that it would be handy if, before creating the Gcode file, you get rid of anything that may not be relevant to the pic on its background. That would help with the size of the resulting file, which is going to be a positive element to the number of lines to be engraved, the time consuming factor and everything else.

[UMarqUSA]

Hi,

U-Marq machines have a photo engraving program that does exactly what you are looking for. It has the ability to mask out any background and then change your photo to a gray scale image, or "dots" in your case. If you are doing a lot of this engraving, U-Marq machines are the fastest on the market and are a relatively low cost. You should have a look at www.u-marqusa.com for more information, any of the machines have the ability to engrave photographs. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask!

[giggler]

Ofcourse theres always free online tools (i.e. not installed software).

http://www.tea-with.me.uk/index.php?cid=451

dc

[Switcher]

Inkscape will let you create halftone images very easy.

It's slow but works great, it's free, & can export as a .eps file.

I attached 2 images below, I did this in Inkscape 0.46

[bjm323]

Originally Posted by turpija I've found a solution that works quite well ... after creating halftone picture i've found a simple converted that for every "dot" in bitmap define a point in gcode, and if there is row of dot's it connect them in a line, so there is no constant moving Z axis if there is completely black area. software is BMP To Din G-Code Converter http://www.majosoft.com/engraving/ht...are_tools.html

Have you tried engraving with this yet? I was wondering how it came out.

[turpija]

Originally Posted by bjm323 Have you tried engraving with this yet? I was wondering how it came out.

Yes, I have.

This is what i started with ...


then convert it into halftone/duotone/mono or whatever it is called...


and ended with this...


material is brass with mirror finish and is coated with transparent lacquer
and engraving is done with diamond tip, after i used oxidizer to get nice contrast.
engraved image is 35x35mm, and distance between "pixels" is (i think) 0,2mm

overall, i'd say it turned out quite nice !

[bjm323]

Very nice turpija. You have a PM

[3dlasermachine]

Our company developed a new software which could transform 2D photos into 2.5D, it looks like 3D from the frond side. No limit of time, space, location, distance etc. This software is developed this year and unique in the world recently. Because of this technology, our 2D engraving effect is excellent in the world.

If somebody interested in this software, please send email to sales4@leadlaser.com, and i will send a file to you, you can engrave by your own machine or send a sample to you instead.