I’ve enquired before about the ability to vary the pressure of an engraver over the path of a line such that the line would have a feathered appearance at one or both ends. The feedback I received is that this is not possible, at least with CC and as I envision it with a user variable ramp function. By engraving I mean a non-rotating conical diamond tip such as MCEtcher in a spring loaded housing.
Here’s a query about a possible kludge. I have not done any V-carving so am unfamiliar with its process. Suppose, instead of the simple lines I use for the engraving path, I make a 2-D path similar to:
Is it possible, using V-carve techniques, to set parameters such that this would be executed in one swipe with the X varying from -0.1mm at the tip to -1.2 mm where the width is maximum?
I’m not sure how practical this would be since my current engravings have thousands of lines but it might be useful for a few selected uses.
Somehow I don’t think V-carving would have enough finesse for this.
It would take a lot of time to figure out the kind of shape patterns to use to get the miniscule variations in the Z. Not to mention getting the height just right to utilize a spring loaded engraving bit.
It may be possible for some simple shapes, but I would look to see if there’s some other specialty software that can do this.
I’ve done something like this with the texture tool path. You can set the starting and max depth. The control is limited as each stroke will reach the max depth only in the center of the stroke so the effect changes based on line length. I experimented with it for Acrylic edge lit night lights. I wasn’t crazy about the effect.
I’ve found that diamond drag bits aren’t too sensitive to pressure changes as far as the look of the line. I’m not saying don’t try, as I’m a fan of learning by doing, just that I wouldn’t be too hopeful about a huge result.
