What Do I need?

[bearwen]

Hello all
I am wanting to do wood, foam and metal carving. The big question I have is how or what software do I need to be able to take a picture like a .jpg and convert it to run on my cnc? I have seen software that will do this however I want to be able to carve the picture with depth such as mountains in the back ground that are raised and slop down and have the foreground such as people with there faces in depth like the nose sticks out and slopes to the cheecks and what not. I will be using Mach 2/3 for control.

Thank You

[smi4motion]

There is a freeware program that is called Scan to cnc might look into that. I might even have it here someware. If you want try it let me know I'lll look and if I find it I'll send it to you.

[bearwen]

If you would please send it that would be great thank you.

I am not sure if I described what I want to do vewry well but basiclly I want to take pictures and route them out on a cnc but I want depth to the picture so it looks like it is hand carved. I have seen other software but it looks like it just cuts the picture almost like it was done with a wood burning tool I want depth and realism like a hand carved piece.

Berry

[ger21]

MeshCAM can do it, as well as others, but it's not going to be as simple as you'd like. For really good results, extensive photo editing will be needed to get the depth your looking for. Good Photoshop skills are needed. www.meshcam.com

If you have a large budget (very large), look at ArtCAM, or MasterCAM Art.
http://www.artcam.com/
http://www.mastercam.com/Products/Art/default.aspx

[awerby]

A 3d relief is more than a processed 2d image. It has a quantum amount of extra information in it. It's like asking how to get from a silhouette of someone to their portrait in color. There are ways to supply extra information automatically, but the results are never going to be as realistic as if you had all the information about your subject's hair color, eye color, complexion, facial configuration, etc. The best way to accomplish this is to start with a 3d scan. These can include a 2d texture map which conveys color information, but this is difficult to add to a carved object, unless you've got a 3d color painting machine (which would come in very handy at times). But if you start with a good 3d model of the subject you have in mind, you're way ahead of the game.

Andrew Werby
www.computersculpture.com

[smi4motion]

I found that program just let send me an email at ken.moran@smi4motion.com and I'll attach it to a reply. The compressed zip file is only 338kb. But, the others are correct you will need to edit the Z portion of the G codes to get a 3D effect. May take some trial and error but should be able to get it done with the Mach 3 program from what I have seen. Also I have never tried this program I just stumbled across it while looking for something else.