Creation of milling data in GridPhoto-Start.
GridPhoto-Start
is a comfortable solution for 2D photo engraving. Grayscale pictures
are converted in high-quality milling data for 3- or 4-axis milling
machines with a few mouse clicks. The photos should be available as
pictures with 256 gray levels (8-bit) (exception jpg). The imported
photos can be edited (scale, filter, mirror...) and convert in milling
data very fast.
With the milling the bright - dark different in the picture is created
with lines with corresponding width density. You can repeat the milling
data calculation as often as whatever.

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Navigator.
The navigator combines the
program functions in the right operation order. The operation order
follows in the navigator from above to below. You can select the black
shown function. If You don't want select a function, then switch to the
next function with continue. With back You can switch
back to the previous function.
A function help You receive with activated navigator using <F9>.
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open
(Import Photo):
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Import a gray level picture and adopt the dimension. A
photo should be processed into a photostyler (e.g. Corel PHOTO-PAINT)
before the milling path calculation and saved as grey shade image (8Bit/pixel - not in
colour, exception .JPG). Images in .JPG format can also be saved
as colour images (24Bit). These
are converted into grey shade images on import.
The program imports Bitmap data in the following formats:
BMP
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Windows Bitmap
with 256 gray shades.
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GIF
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CompuServ Bitmap
with 256 gray shades. The GIF -format
contains no information on size or resolution.
The image dimensions must be adjusted
manually after import.
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PCX
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Paintbrush Bitmap
with
256 gray shades.
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JPG, JPEG
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JPEG Bitmap
with 256 gray shades, 8Bit colours and 24Bit
colours. JPG images with 24Bit colours are converted into a
gray shade image on import.
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TIF, TIFF |
The
TIFF - import is qualified for 8bit (1 byte/pixel) and
16bit (2byte/pixel) unpacked grayscale pictures. With 16bit TIF,
reliefs with higher resolution can be saved or opened. Optional is a
fee required TIF - import/export extension obtainable for more picture formats and packed formats. |
Heights-breadths-ratio (input in mm).

Import a picture and adopt the dimension. If You want to change one value only (e.g. the z - amount), then switch proportional Y/N to No before the input.
Proportional: |
With the setting YES all axes are also
adjusted proportionately at the same time. The height - width - depth
ratio remains the same. With the setting No the axes X/Y/Z
can be determined individually. |
Dimension XY/Z: |
Relief
dimensions
in the axes X/Y/Z. |
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filter:
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Correct or smooth the photo. Useful filters are e.g. approximate (strong).

You can rework the relief and achieve flatter
surfaces and/or filter out irregularities using the filter functions.
Filters
are mostly required for import data, e.g. import of dot clouds: Digitalising
imperfections must be removed (error pixs, outliers, approximate).
Error pixels:
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Individual dots are filtered.
This has an impact only locally within a radius of one image dot, i.e. no
appreciable change of quality though smoothing of the surface.
Max
imperfection (0.01..10mm):
The image dot (pixel), whose value deviates from its
neighbouring dots by more than the specified
max imperfection, is
approximated (adjusted). An image edge of 1 pixel is not processed.
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Outliers: |
The function outlier is the special surfaces
filter for the removal of individual intensely different image dots (outliers)
independent of their value. This filter has an impact only locally within
a radius of one image dot, i.e. no appreciable change of quality though
smoothing of the surface. |
Approximate (strongly):
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The image contours or shapes are smoothed through
approximate and approximate
strongly .
Approximate can, depending on requirement, be carried out several times. |
Smooth: |
The relief resolution is doubled and, at the same time,
the relief slightly smoothed. This filter produces significantly higher
data quantities and should therefore be used for coarse images only. Reliefs
with too high a resolution can be reduced again using
scale . reduce (e.g.: [%] = 50). |
Radius filter:
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Smooth the relief, all edges are rounded off. |
Correction filter1: |
Smooth the relief, all edges are rounded one-sided. |
Correction filter2: |
This filter fills gaps (e.g. following STL import). |
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mirror+
rotate:
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Mirror the complete relief in X, Y, Z or rotate by +90
degrees / -90 degrees.

Mirror X/Y/Z: |
The relief
is mirrored about the selected axis. |
Counterblock XZ: |
Concurrent
mirroring for a counterblock in X and Z direction. |
Rotate +90°/-90°: |
The relief
is rotated by
+90°/-90°. |
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Line grid:
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With Line grid
gray shade pictures are converted in 3D milling lines with various
width. The various width are created with a conic tool which
dipped into the material according to the gray level (3D-milling-data).
For line grid are a conic tool and a 3D - milling machine needed.
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Milling data export:
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You can export the calculated milling data in various formats.
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End:
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Stops RasterPhoto-Start.
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Line
gridding.
 |
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Using line gridding grey scale
images are milled using a conical tool in 3D lines. The tool, depending on
image brightness sinks to different depths in the material and thus
creates the photo in the workpiece. Light areas of the image result in
small milling depths and, through the tool cone, small line widths. Dark
areas of the image, on the other hand, result in large milling depths and
wide lines.
With import of the photo the image is converted into a relief. The
measurements X/Y are the dimensions of the photo (reliefs). These ca be
adjusted using Heights-breadths-ratio. The milling depth is determined by the relief depth (for example using Heights-breadths-ratio . dimension Z).
For the engraving of photos no large milling depths are necessary, usually
a few 0.1 .. 1.0 mm suffice. The normal procedure is the engraving of the image
and subsequent covering (filling) of the cutter track using colour. With
the employment of multi-layer material the thickness of the upper milling
layer must be noted (set the safety height (Off) higher and incise
slightly deeper).
Display in upper window.
Measurement X/Y [mm]: |
Measurements
of the image and the engraved workpiece.
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Max.
milling depth
Z [mm]: |
Indication
of the tool insertion depth in the material (relief depth).
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Milling
path separation: |
The milling
path separation (separation of the milling lines) is tool radius
multiplied by the line separation (/100%) with max. depth. The
milling path separation is heavily dependent on the tool angle TAn) and
the relief depth. Smaller tool angles or smaller milling depths result
in more milling data. The more lines which are milled the better
effect the image has. But with this the milling time increases.
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Line
number: |
Number of
determined milling lines.
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No. of
layers: |
Calculated
number of layers. If the 'layer depth' is selected >= 'Max. Milling
depth Z', then there is only one milling layer.
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Inputs.
Tool
#: |
Selection
of a suitable milling tool.
For milling, conical tools (with cone angle (CAn) >0°,
e.g. 20..30°)are always to be employed. The cutter tip should
be selected as small as possible (CuT <0.1 mm). For small cutter
tips always pay attention to sufficient rpm. |
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Line
separation [10..500%]: |
The
line separation is related to the tool radius with max. milling depth
(100%). The milling path separation is determined by the line
separation. A larger line separation results in a larger milling line
separation and an image with a lighter effect. Recommended settings for
photo engraving are 100% .. 300%.
Reliefs (e.g. Lithophane for transmitted light) can be milled using the
program. For this a tool with larger tip radius or spherical radius and
smaller line separation (ca. 10..50%) is to be selected. With line
gridding only a tool offset of the cutter tip is calculated. We
therefore recommend the relief module or the program eMillRelief for
correct relief production.
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Angle
[-90..+90°]: |
Setting
of the angle of the milling lines. 0° produces horizontal lines.
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Procedures: |
Milling method selection:
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Hatching:
Simple lines without
turnaround. |
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Cross hatching:
Simple lines without turnaround +
90° rotated crossings. |
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Hatching meander:
Lines in zigzag order. |
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Cross hatching meander:
Lines in zigzag order + 90°
rotated crossings. |
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Rectangle:
Rectangles concentrically ordered. |
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Circle:
Circles concentrically ordered. |
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Spiral:
Elliptical spiral. |
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Radial lines:
Simple radial lines without turnaround. |
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Radial lines meander:
Radial lines in zigzag order. |
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Spiral > rectangle:
Elliptical spiral go over to rectangle
form. |
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Layer
depth [mm]: |
Dependent
on the Max. Milling Depth Z the image can be milled
in one or more layers. If the layer depth is
exceeded, the program creates several milling layers.
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Contrast
[-0.5..+0.5]: |
With values >0 the image is higher-contrast (light and dark grey
scales are reinforced). With values <0 are milled with less
contrast.
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Inverse
[Y/N]: |
YES:
The brightness levels are inverted. Light areas are milled dark, dark
areas are milled light.
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Lines 100% |
Cross-hatching 150% |
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