GridPhoto-Start

Contents: Creation of milling data in GridPhoto-Start. Navigator. Line gridding. Work specification: milling data from photo. Sample data for RasterPhoto for download.

Creation of milling data in GridPhoto-Start. GridPhoto-Start is a comfortable solution for 2D photo engraving. Grayscale pictures are converted in high-quality milling data for 3- or 4-axis milling machines with a few mouse clicks. The photos should be available as pictures with 256 gray levels (8-bit) (exception jpg). The imported photos can be edited (scale, filter, mirror...) and convert in milling data very fast. With the milling the bright - dark different in the picture is created with lines with corresponding width density. You can repeat the milling data calculation as often as whatever.
| Navigator. The navigator combines the program functions in the right operation order. The operation order follows in the navigator from above to below. You can select the black shown function. If You don't want select a function, then switch to the next function with continue. With back You can switch back to the previous function. A function help You receive with activated navigator using <F9>.
open (Import Photo): | Import a gray level picture and adopt the dimension. A photo should be processed into a photostyler (e.g. Corel PHOTO-PAINT) before the milling path calculation and saved as grey shade image (8Bit/pixel - not in colour, exception .JPG). Images in .JPG format can also be saved as colour images (24Bit). These are converted into grey shade images on import. The program imports Bitmap data in the following formats:
BMP | Windows Bitmap with 256 gray shades.
GIF | CompuServ Bitmap with 256 gray shades. The GIF -format contains no information on size or resolution. The image dimensions must be adjusted manually after import.
PCX | Paintbrush Bitmap with 256 gray shades.
JPG, JPEG | JPEG Bitmap with 256 gray shades, 8Bit colours and 24Bit colours. JPG images with 24Bit colours are converted into a gray shade image on import.
TIF, TIFF | The TIFF - import is qualified for 8bit (1 byte/pixel) and 16bit (2byte/pixel) unpacked grayscale pictures. With 16bit TIF, reliefs with higher resolution can be saved or opened. Optional is a fee required TIF - import/export extension obtainable for more picture formats and packed formats.
Heights-breadths-ratio (input in mm). Import a picture and adopt the dimension. If You want to change one value only (e.g. the z - amount), then switch proportional Y/N to No before the input.
Proportional: | With the setting YES all axes are also adjusted proportionately at the same time. The height - width - depth ratio remains the same. With the setting No the axes X/Y/Z can be determined individually.
Dimension XY/Z: | Relief dimensions in the axes X/Y/Z.
filter: | Correct or smooth the photo. Useful filters are e.g. approximate (strong). You can rework the relief and achieve flatter surfaces and/or filter out irregularities using the filter functions. Filters are mostly required for import data, e.g. import of dot clouds: Digitalising imperfections must be removed (error pixs, outliers, approximate).
Error pixels: | Individual dots are filtered. This has an impact only locally within a radius of one image dot, i.e. no appreciable change of quality though smoothing of the surface. Max imperfection (0.01..10mm): The image dot (pixel), whose value deviates from its neighbouring dots by more than the specified max imperfection, is approximated (adjusted). An image edge of 1 pixel is not processed.
Outliers: | The function outlier is the special surfaces filter for the removal of individual intensely different image dots (outliers) independent of their value. This filter has an impact only locally within a radius of one image dot, i.e. no appreciable change of quality though smoothing of the surface.
Approximate (strongly): | The image contours or shapes are smoothed through approximate and approxim ate strongly . Approximate can, depending on requirement, be carried out several times.
Smooth: | The relief resolution is doubled and, at the same time, the relief slightly smoothed. This filter produces significantly higher data quantities and should therefore be used for coarse images only. Reliefs with too high a resolution can be reduced again using s cale . reduce (e.g.: [%] = 50).
Radius filter: | Smooth the relief, all edges are rounded off.
Correction filter1: | Smooth the relief, all edges are rounded one-sided.
Correction filter2: | This filter fills gaps (e.g. following STL import).
mirror+ rotate: | Mirror the complete relief in X, Y, Z or rotate by +90 degrees / -90 degrees.
Mirror X/Y/Z: | The relief is mirrored about the selected axis.
Counterblock XZ: | Concurrent mirroring for a counterblock in X and Z direction.
Rotate +90°/-90°: | The relief is rotated by +90°/-90°.
Line grid: | With Line grid gray shade pictures are converted in 3D milling lines with various width. The various width are created with a conic tool which dipped into the material according to the gray level (3D-milling-data). For line grid are a conic tool and a 3D - milling machine needed.
Milling data export: | You can export the calculated milling data in various formats.
End: | Stops RasterPhoto-Start.
Line gridding.
Using line gridding grey scale images are milled using a conical tool in 3D lines. The tool, depending on image brightness sinks to different depths in the material and thus creates the photo in the workpiece. Light areas of the image result in small milling depths and, through the tool cone, small line widths. Dark areas of the image, on the other hand, result in large milling depths and wide lines. With import of the photo the image is converted into a relief. The measurements X/Y are the dimensions of the photo (reliefs). These ca be adjusted using Heights-breadths-ratio. The milling depth is determined by the relief depth (for example using Heights-breadths-ratio . dimension Z). For the engraving of photos no large milling depths are necessary, usually a few 0.1 .. 1.0 mm suffice. The normal procedure is the engraving of the image and subsequent covering (filling) of the cutter track using colour. With the employment of multi-layer material the thickness of the upper milling layer must be noted (set the safety height (Off) higher and incise slightly deeper). Display in upper window.
Measurement X/Y [mm]: | Measurements of the image and the engraved workpiece.
Max. milling depth Z [mm]: | Indication of the tool insertion depth in the material (relief depth).
Milling path separation: | The milling path separation (separation of the milling lines) is tool radius multiplied by the line separation (/100%) with max. depth. The milling path separation is heavily dependent on the tool angle TAn) and the relief depth. Smaller tool angles or smaller milling depths result in more milling data. The more lines which are milled the better effect the image has. But with this the milling time increases.
Line number: | Number of determined milling lines.
No. of layers: | Calculated number of layers. If the 'layer depth' is selected >= 'Max. Milling depth Z', then there is only one milling layer.
Inputs.
Tool #: |
Selection of a suitable milling tool. For milling, conical tools (with cone angle (CAn) >0°, e.g. 20..30°)are always to be employed. The cutter tip should be selected as small as possible (CuT <0.1 mm). For small cutter tips always pay attention to sufficient rpm. |
Line separation [10..500%]: | The line separation is related to the tool radius with max. milling depth (100%). The milling path separation is determined by the line separation. A larger line separation results in a larger milling line separation and an image with a lighter effect. Recommended settings for photo engraving are 100% .. 300%. Reliefs (e.g. Lithophane for transmitted light) can be milled using the program. For this a tool with larger tip radius or spherical radius and smaller line separation (ca. 10..50%) is to be selected. With line gridding only a tool offset of the cutter tip is calculated. We therefore recommend the relief module or the program eMillRelief for correct relief production.
Angle [-90..+90°]: | Setting of the angle of the milling lines. 0° produces horizontal lines.
Procedures: | Milling method selection:
| Hatching: Simple lines without turnaround.
| Cross hatching: Simple lines without turnaround + 90° rotated crossings.
| Hatching meander: Lines in zigzag order.
| Cross hatching meander: Lines in zigzag order + 90° rotated crossings.
| Rectangle: Rectangles concentrically ordered.
| Circle: Circles concentrically ordered.
| Spiral: Elliptical spiral.
| Radial lines: Simple radial lines without turnaround.
| Radial lines meander: Radial lines in zigzag order.
| Spiral > rectangle: Elliptical spiral go over to rectangle form.
Layer depth [mm]: | Dependent on the Max. Milling Depth Z the image can be milled in one or more layers. If the layer depth is exceeded, the program creates several milling layers.
Contrast [-0.5..+0.5]: | With values >0 the image is higher-contrast (light and dark grey scales are reinforced). With values <0 are milled with less contrast.
Inverse [Y/N]: | YES: The brightness levels are inverted. Light areas are milled dark, dark areas are milled light.
Lines 100% | Cross-hatching 150%

Work specification: milling data from photo.
| Using GridPhoto grey scale images are converted into milling data for 3 or 4 axis machine tools. The photo must be available in a readable pixel format (BMP, PCX, GIF, JPG) with 256 grey scales. Photos in other formats must be converted into the required format beforehand using a standard photostyler (e.g. Corel Photo Paint). In the photostyler, delete unwanted areas of the image and cut the image into the desired dimensions. Convert colour images and images with other tones into greyscale images with 256 gradations (grey scales (8 Bit)) Alternatively, you can also save the image in .jpg format with 24 Bit colour depth.
| Select Grid Photo-Start. The program shows the navigator. The navigator combines the program functions in the right operation order. The operation order follows in the navigator from above to below. You can select the black shown function. If You don't want select a function, then switch to the next function with continue. With back You can switch back to the previous function.
| Import Photo. Open the image file using Import Photo. In Relief dimensions please enter the wished dimension of the milling data. At first select Proportional = Yes and Dimension X = 50mm. After a click to the next input, all values are changed proportionally (the picture format is unchanged). After this select Proportional = No and Dimension Z = 1.0mm.
| filter. The quality can be improved using the installed filters. Using approximate the image is smoothed and somewhat improved.
| spiegeln + drehen. As required the image can here be rotated or mirrored (for this example not used).
Line grid. For settings please note the picture Zeilenraster. The calculation needs an appropriate tool (e.g. see tool graphic). |
| Calculated 3D - milling data by using Line grid.
Export milling data. For these milling data a 3D milling machine with controlled X, Y and Z axes is required. Exported are the milling data using Export milling data and the selection of the desired export filter. In Export filter selection, select for example DIN/ISO and the export filter WinPC-NC / PC-NC. Note: For PC-NC the core image format for arcs (ABSOLUTE/relative) must be set the same in both programs (under Parameter). The approach position, with -9999.99, can be switched off for X and Y. In this case the working off starts with the 1st work position. Finished!