Overview 3D Sliced Engravings
LightBurn's 3D Sliced Image Mode empowers Galvo laser users to create engravings with both visual and physical depth. This innovative 2.5D engraving mode eliminates the need for a live Z Axis, enabling detailed engravings without precise control over depth.
Using this mode, designs are engraved layer by layer with multiple passes, producing intricate results. It is specifically designed for depth maps—also known as height maps—which are grayscale images where pixel brightness indicates depth.
Key Features:
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Lighter Pixels: Engrave with fewer passes, resulting in shallow engravings.
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Darker Pixels: Engrave with more passes, producing deeper engravings.
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Negative Image Option: Inverts brightness, causing lighter areas to engrave deeper and darker areas shallower.
Depth maps can be created manually or with tools like STL2PNG, which convert STL files into complex depth maps. Once created, depth maps can be imported into LightBurn like any image file.
Using 3D Sliced Mode
Step 1: Create a Depth Map
Produce a grayscale depth map image using your preferred tool, then import it into LightBurn.
Step 2: Enable 3D Sliced Mode
In the Cut Settings Editor, set the Image Mode to 3D Sliced. This option is exclusively available for Galvo lasers.
Step 3: Adjust Settings
While many settings overlap with other Image Modes, 3D Sliced Mode has unique configurations:
Number of Passes
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Function: Determines how many layers the depth map is split into, affecting the resolution of the engraving.
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Tip: Increase the Number of Passes for higher resolution. For intricate designs, reduce power to prevent over-engraving, similar to decreasing layer height on a 3D printer.
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Note: Processing time increases with more complex designs due to the additional passes.
Cleanup Passes
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Purpose: Adds a Cleanup Sub-Layer in the Cut Settings Editor.
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Adjustments: Set parameters like tighter Line Interval, higher Frequency, and lower Max Power.
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Effect: Ensures debris removal and produces a polished finish.
Step 4: Preview and Run
Before engraving, preview the design to confirm the output meets expectations:
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Click the Play button to visualize the engraving from bottom to top. Black areas indicate engraved sections.
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Enable Show Traversal Moves to monitor red areas, representing laser-off movements. Ensure these areas expand appropriately with each pass.
Examples
Explore additional examples and techniques to maximize the potential of 3D Sliced Mode in your projects. With proper settings and depth map preparation, you can achieve highly detailed and visually striking engravings.
