Full Version: 3D Lasering

From: Joe (SMITTY61) [#1]
 9 Feb 2007
To: ALL

I was curious to see if anyone knows the trick to 3D lasering like in a glass cube? I saw one my brother got on a cruise with a photo of he and his wife's faces lasered in the center of the cube like it was floating. I know some of my crystal suppliers offer that. I was just wondering if regular lasers can handle that and if so, how is it done?

From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#2]
 9 Feb 2007
To: Joe (SMITTY61) [#1] 10 Feb 2007

I saw one used at the last Vegas show. It was a green laser beam and very slow. The company also sells a 3D imaging booth, you sit in it and it takes your picture and converts it for the cubes. It was well out of my price range and so slow in lasering that profit vs. time was absurd.

From: Franklin (FW_HAYNES) [#3]
 9 Feb 2007
To: ALL

What I have been wondering about is the 3D stuff done on wood. I have seen samples done with detailed pictures, but haven't quite gathered how those were done. I realize that it doesn't look too practical to do, but to make some as attention getter samples would be interesting.
I saw one with a cat sitting in a window sill and another one of an old car by a store front, then epilog has a sample that uses text with 3D images. Just wondering how this is even set up and/ or is there some corel samples that can be downloaded for the purpose of creating awesome samples for catching the attention of potential clients.

From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#4]
 9 Feb 2007
To: Joe (SMITTY61) [#1] 10 Feb 2007

Joe,

It is a specialized laser that performs that 3-D process. I have out-sourced that specialized process on projects. I HIGHLY recommend forum member Mark Dickens at www.precisionlaserart.com. I wouldn't consider another source.

EDITED: 9 Feb 2007 by DATAKES

From: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#5]
 9 Feb 2007
To: Franklin (FW_HAYNES) [#3] 10 Feb 2007

Doing 3D on wood requires having special graphics that have shades of gray based on depth rather than the normal lighting a photo might have.

I've done some of it by creating 3D models in Lightwave and exporting them using the depth buffer feature of that program.

You could do it in Corel with shapes and clipart where you set the shades of gray based on how deep the part of the graphic would be. For the most part it is not possible to get good results using a regular photos.

This is how a normal face would be lit in a photo:



But this is how it needs to look to do 3D in wood:

From: BobT [#6]
 9 Feb 2007
To: ALL

Hi, it seems like the required software and even any really good graphics for 3D is really expensive but I have had some really great results.

Go here, http://www.gantryco.com/
and request their free evaluation graphic. It is great and will definitely show you what your laser is capable of.

I was very impressed with what I got out of that graphic. Now I just have to find a customer that is willing to pay those prices.

From: Joe (SMITTY61) [#7]
 10 Feb 2007
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#4] 10 Feb 2007

Dave,

Thanks for the info. I will definately consider precision laser art for sub surface lasering. Very interesting! I have had a few customer inquiries about this process and you can't have to many sources!

From: Joe (SMITTY61) [#8]
 10 Feb 2007
To: ALL

Thanks everyone for the advise, info and sources for this post. I appreciate it!

From: Webquest [#9]
 10 Feb 2007
To: ALL

Not that I have a great market for this nor would I expect it to be cost effective, but does anyone know of any companies or artists out there who are capable of converting a photograph for 3D lasering?

From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#10]
 10 Feb 2007
To: Webquest [#9] 10 Feb 2007

I think it takes special camera equipment to create the 3-D image. Here is a link I found with some info. http://www.3dcgi.com/cooltech/cameras/cameras.htm

From: Webquest [#11]
 10 Feb 2007
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#10] 10 Feb 2007

That's interesting, thanks Dave.

From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#12]
 11 Feb 2007
To: Webquest [#9] Unread

As David T mentioned above precision laser art can do that as well.

I have used them a couple of times and I will not go anywhere else. Mark Dickens is DA BOMB!

From: Ray (STAMP) [#13]
 13 Feb 2007
To: Joe (SMITTY61) [#1] 14 Feb 2007

Hi Jos,
Not sure but i was told that a Yag laser can do the job inside of a cube.

If u go to Vegas check the new Trotec Hydrid co2 and Yag laser. I will like to know too.
Ray

From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#14]
 13 Feb 2007
To: Ray (STAMP) [#13] 15 Feb 2007

Ray,

The 3D process may be performed with a YAG (not sure) but I think the magic is in the software which tells the laser when to fire, (at predetermined points) within the glass, which causes a slight fracture, thereby producing the image.

EDITED: 13 Feb 2007 by DGL

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