First black marble with photo - Engraving Etc. Forum

From:	Stunt Engraver (DGL)	31 Mar 2007
To:	Larry B (PALMETTO)	9 of 29

6492.9 In reply to 6492.5
Larry, Thank you for taking my critique in stride. I hate to criticize a person's work, but typography is an area where sometimes less is more. I'm sure you'll refine your layout skills. Practice makes perfect. The engraving results, especially for a first time out, are excellent!! Very nice. David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri DGL Engraving Port Hueneme, CA

From:	Larry B (PALMETTO)	31 Mar 2007
To:	Mike (SPACE_ENGRAVERS)	10 of 29

6492.10 In reply to 6492.8

I have 2.11 also. They did send me another disc, but we had trouble with the original install. My laptop didn't like the disc, although all of the other computers here liked it OK. I finally ended up having to run the setup file from my hard drive where I had copied it using a removable jump drive from one of the other machines. But it works OK.

You know, I think I just used the settings that were in the Epilog manual for power and speed. I did use the autoprocess feature in Photograv though. But I did kinda run it in two parts as I explained. Ran the photo at 300dpi then the text at 600. I put that Armorall on there and that worked to make it whiter too.

Epilog EXT 40w, Vision 16x24,

From:	Larry B (PALMETTO)	31 Mar 2007
To:	Stunt Engraver (DGL)	11 of 29

6492.11 In reply to 6492.9
Oh, I agree. I constantly have to guard against laying out too much information on signs especially. I think they say that a person has about 6 seconds to read a sign from a moving vehicle. The preportions are important too. I asked for a critique, did I not? :/ Epilog EXT 40w, Vision 16x24,

From:	MIKEY (JADEPUTTERS)	31 Mar 2007
To:	Larry B (PALMETTO)	12 of 29

6492.12 In reply to 6492.1
Larry, As for the grain on his nose, I find a good ol #2 lead pencil is good for shading some of those spots. Just a light touch. It works on granite anyway Mikey www.pictureitinstone.com www.jadeputters.com "Both optimists and pessimists contribute to the society. The optimist invents the aeroplane, the pessimist the parachute."--- George Bernard Shaw

From:	Goodvol (JIMGOOD)	31 Mar 2007
To:	Larry B (PALMETTO)	13 of 29

6492.13 In reply to 6492.11

Larry,

Was his daughter's name really Gennifer? Should it have been "Jennifer" or is it a case of a unique spelling of a common name?

Jim

From:	Larry B (PALMETTO)	1 Apr 2007
To:	MIKEY (JADEPUTTERS)	15 of 29

6492.15 In reply to 6492.12
OK, I've still got it here until tomorrow. I look at the pencil trick. My first thought is that it would be too dark. Thanks for the tip. Epilog EXT 40w, Vision 16x24,

From:	Mike (MIKEN)	1 Apr 2007
To:	Larry B (PALMETTO)	16 of 29

6492.16 In reply to 6492.15
Larry: My compliments on the quality of your engraving. I agree with David's remarks. One of the things newer people seem to do is to fill up the entire substrate when in fact the work would look better if there were an imaginary border or margin around the engraving. I would have probably used a font like Times New Roman for the copy at the bottom as well. But you're off to a great start. Mike Null Dist. of Lazer Cutting Grid www.stl-laser.com

From:	Larry B (PALMETTO)	1 Apr 2007
To:	Mike (MIKEN)	17 of 29

6492.17 In reply to 6492.16

Mike, thanks for the critique.

New? 8-O I may be other things but one thing I ain't is new(at least not in years). Sixty two years old in July. Been doing graphics and computer work for nigh on to 25 years now. Yes, laser is totally new to me, but not CNC sign work or rotary engraving. I had a lot of information to get in a small space, didn't have a huge choice. Font change might have helped though, Commercial Script is a dignified looking font to me, I use it a good bit.

Epilog EXT 40w, Vision 16x24,

EDITED: 1 Apr 2007 by PALMETTO

From:	Mike (MIKEN)	1 Apr 2007
To:	Larry B (PALMETTO)	18 of 29

6492.18 In reply to 6492.17
Larry: You're just a kid. I like Commercial Script too, merely suggesting using more than one font. Mike Null Dist. of Lazer Cutting Grid www.stl-laser.com

From:	William Desrochers (DRAKESIS)	2 Apr 2007
To:	Larry B (PALMETTO)	19 of 29

6492.19 In reply to 6492.1
quote: first attempt at lasering a photo onto black marble I think you nailed it, nice job! William Desrochers Excalibur Creations & Recognition "Cutting Edge of Quality & Design" http://www.excaliburcreations.com Raster Bitmap to Vector Conversion Service I specialize in converting raster bitmap images into high quality vector artwork. All work is done by hand, accurately and quickly by me. All files are created from start to finish with your application in mind, Vinyl Cutting, Digital Printing, ScreenPrinting, Cnc Machining, Laser Engraving Compatible Files. Turn around is usually under 24 hours and most basic logos take less than an hour.

From:	Cody (BOBTNAILER)	2 Apr 2007
To:	Larry B (PALMETTO)	20 of 29

6492.20 In reply to 6492.1

VERY impressive!!

Now pat yourself on the back, and take a big bow!!

From:	Larry B (PALMETTO)	2 Apr 2007
To:	Cody (BOBTNAILER)	21 of 29

6492.21 In reply to 6492.20

Palmetto (Larry) bows! Reaching around trying to pat himself on the back but wife says I look stupid! (but what else is new?) :B

Thanks again for the help!

Epilog EXT 40w, Vision 16x24,

From:	Mikey (MIKE2449)	2 Apr 2007
To:	Larry B (PALMETTO)	22 of 29

6492.22 In reply to 6492.1
Larry: From one new guy to another--nice job! In my short experience what I have found is that removing the white space around the head makes the image jump out at you. Take the bezier tool in draw, outline your photo with many nodes. It takes a lot less time than one might think. Completely encircle that area that would be white space, click on black color in the color palate, and bingo, the photo when sent to photograve will eliminate that white area. One thing I learned here earlier is that once you have photograved the image, never adjust the size, not even a little or you will not get those same results you did this time. Again, really nice. For those of you who need parameters for black marble/granite--Jim at lasersketch will send them via email for the asking, he has them for wood and glass as well. Mike Michael J. Sutfin Ottawa Stone Company 213 W. Main St Ottawa, Illinois 61350

From:	Mike (MDUFFY)	2 Apr 2007
To:	ALL	23 of 29

6492.23

Larry,
It looks real good. I just started working with marble for the first time this past weekend. What's the ArmorAll trick, I haven't heard of it. Is there a certain product or technique?

Thank you.

Mike

From:	Larry B (PALMETTO)	2 Apr 2007
To:	Mikey (MIKE2449)	24 of 29

6492.24 In reply to 6492.22
Yep, your probably right about that. I considered it after the fact. I'll get rid of it on the next one and see how it looks. However, the guy in the photo had on a dark suit, and I figured it might not have shown up as well if I had dropped the white background out of it. Thanks for the tip though. Epilog EXT 40w, Vision 16x24,

From:	Larry B (PALMETTO)	2 Apr 2007
To:	Mike (MDUFFY)	25 of 29

6492.25 In reply to 6492.23
Mike, just spray some Armorall on it and wipe it off before you laser it, and the white comes out a good bit whiter. Don't know the chemistry, but I read the tip in this forum or maybe in Sawmill Creek. I asked Joe Pelonio about it before I did it, and he said it worked..soo..the rest is history. Good luck. (By the way, I ran two of these, one with and one without and I could tell a good bit of difference). Good luck with yours! Epilog EXT 40w, Vision 16x24,

From:	David Wilhite (DAVID-ULS)	4 Apr 2007
To:	ALL	28 of 29

6492.28

Larry,

Very nice job on the marble plaque.

After engraving marble I like to rub a few dime-sized blobs of titanium white oil-based paint into the engraved image. Buff off the excess with some paper towels. The paint really makes the engraving "pop."

Again, nice job on your first marble engraving.

Regards,

Dave

Universal Laser Systems