3D carving Shapeoko 5 pro

[Toolmantim (Tim Plafcan)]

Been using Masuter Pro , just got Shapeoko 5 , 2x4 what is the best way , steps for a jpeg picture convert to stl bring into carbide create to get to 3D carving ? so much info on the internet , where is the best place to start ?

[WillAdams (William Adams (Carbide 3D))]

The problem with image to 3D is that very few images map light/dark to height/depth — you can create a halftone quite easily:

Halftone generator on Cutrocket

This was announced/demoed in a limited way a while back — had occasion to reference it in a support ticket recently, so here’s the text from that: We have a halftone generator which will accept black and white images, so you will need to convert any image into a black and white picture. That is the only type of picture the generator will accept. Help file: https://cutrocket.com/halftonehelp.php

or a lithophane:

https://community.carbide3d.com/search?q=lithophane

but getting 3D from a flat 2D picture pretty much requires that a person create some sort of 3D model representation.

If you have a number of images, it might be possible to have a computer program composite them into a 3D model — the technical term for this is “photogrammetry” but the programs for this often require that the photos are taken in the application. Or, if you have the 3D object in question you could scan it in 3D given access to a 3D scanner.

[Toolmantim (Tim Plafcan)]

Great , Thanks . I will check into cutrocket

[SLCJedi (Josh Tenny)]

If you have an SVG, it doesn’t have any information you could turn into a 3D object unless it has shaded color or greyscale. It can be turned into what is often referred to as 2.5D as it is 2D features machined to specific depths. You may be able to manipulate a SVG in Carbide Create Pro to add rounded edges and such, but without a greyscale it won’t be able to do something like a picture to 3D.

If you can find an existing STL of a design you want, that is a 3D object inherently. It can be imported to Carbide Create Pro directly.

[Toolmantim (Tim Plafcan)]

Currently im playing with onlinejpgtools.com converting to greyscale then on to imagetostl.com

[Toolmantim (Tim Plafcan)]

Inkscape might work too

[robgrz (Rob Grzesek (Carbide 3D))]

@Toolmantim

what is the best way , steps for a jpeg picture convert to stl bring into carbide create to get to 3D carving ?

With Carbide Create Pro, you can load an image directly as a heightmap into your file, so there’s no need for the intermediate step of the STL. (But you can load an STL too if you want).

[Toolmantim (Tim Plafcan)]

Thanks, this looks like the best way for me .

[Toolmantim (Tim Plafcan)]

In photoshop exporting heightmap as a png create pro will open it ?

[WillAdams (William Adams (Carbide 3D))]

Yes, that should work well, since it a mapping of light/dark to height/depth unlike the typical photo.

[Toolmantim (Tim Plafcan)]

Thanks , ill upgrade to pro