Full Version: ULS Driver - Image Enhancement
From: Ken D. (KDEVORY) [#1]
25 Feb 2005
To: ALL
I'm trying to learn exactly what the Image Enhancement settings do. They're found on the third(last) tab of the advanced driver for the ULS Versa. I've been told:
Contrast: After one or more "off" pulses, additional power is sent to the first "on" pulse. This compensates for an initial weakness in the pulse when the tube starts firing.
Definition: The last "on" pulse, before an "off" pulse, is turned off early. This compensates for switching time and residual energy in the laser tube.
Density: (This is the one I need help with. It has something to do with the surrounding area. I was not able to get an accurate technical description.)
The driver does an excellent job with the default values. I feel I can tweak it a little for sensitive, but detailed, materials like engravers plastic. I'm curious to see if it helps with photos. I'm guessing its not worth trying for materials like wood, stone, or glass. Even the plastic comes very good with the defaults.
From: laserman (MIKEMAC) [#2]
25 Feb 2005
To: Ken D. (KDEVORY) [#1] 25 Feb 2005
Ken,
Your descriptions are pretty accurate and very technical. Let me try to explain how they will help you and everyone else.
Problem #1 Speed, Problem #2 Fonts, Problem #3 thin line and Upper and lower case letters.
These were the reason behind the Image Enhancements.
Please note that these enhancements will only be available for XP Driver and depending on the version of the driver. The older versions were done manually The newer version is done automatically.
O.K. What do these do:
Contrast- This adjustment is for the HIGH DENSITY AREA of the text.
Example: The Quick Brown Fox Jumps Over The Lazy Dog.
When you look at this line of text you have two distinct areas of the text. One being the Ascenders and descenders and the other being the High density area ( the letters that are closest together) (uick). This is the area that the contrast effects.
Definition- Is the adjustment for the descenders and ascenders.
Density- This should be left at 100 once you set the Contrast and definition. If the density is to high the letters will seam to be FATTER or bolder. By reducing the density you effect the sharpness of the character. If you reduce the density to much your letters will start to look pixelized. You should only have to adjust this in 5% increments to start to notice a difference. Once you get the right density setting then save your power/speed setting for the material (plastic, wood, etc.)
Then all of the image enhancements are saved with that setting.
We have found that we don't adjust this setting very often.
Believe it or not it does work with all kinds of different materials and the results are really nice.
The way to set it up right is to find the minimum power setting at the optimum speed to mark the material. Example engravers plastic set the power to get a solid white area at the fastest possible speed. Then go in and check the enhancement box and calculate. Then run a sample of times new roman upper and lower case from 12 point down to 8 point high text.
Get out your loom and check it out it is amazing how clean even the small text come in.
You should have a Image Enhancement setting for all your materials you work with, And yes it does effect photos as well.
This is a wonderful tool in this driver and everyone should take full advantage of it. It really works.
As for your other post regarding power and speed settings and there functions. I will work on that and reply as soon as I can.
EDITED: 25 Feb 2005 by MIKEMAC