The Hobby Guy Workshop

Creating an image from a photo using the Image Workshop

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Laser Workshop GuildDiode Lasers Community

I have not had very good luck with photos on my lasers and I figured I would give it a try with the Image Workshop here on the Workshop

Session 6

Image Workshop vs My Laser Power Settings

I have been finding that as much as getting the image right in the Image Workshop, my power settings and choice of wood makes just as much difference. The two images here are the same Image Workshop image, with similar power settings, but on two different woods. The one on the left was done on basswood (I believe) and the one on the right was pine (I believe). The one on the left had a power level of 25% and the one on the right was 35%. Both were done at 26,000mm/min. I was surprised at how much darker the one was with less power. As I said, the wood makes a difference, What I'm finding is that even doing material tests can be problematic. On one of my material tests, it was burned through at the left and right edges. The material test settings were constant power with no overscan. I tried it with constant power off and the material test only had the headers, etc. The squares did not appear at all. So I set it back to constant power and set a 2.5% overscan (left material test). I got the squares but they were less dark than my original test. So I re-ran it again with 0% overscan and came out with much darker squares (right material test). I believe it should be constant power with no overscan for the material test, but maybe someone else knows better.

Image Workshop vs My Laser Power Settings โ€” Starting Files

Photos and project files added when this Project Session was created.

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Ask a question, share a suggestion, or follow the makerโ€™s progress. This discussion belongs only to Creating an image from a photo using the Image Workshop.

Diane Holland
0

What settings did you use? This is my biggest problem also. I never get good image outcome.

Diane Holland
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I like the image. Did you need to make many adjustments? I need to try the image workshop above.

Pop Pop MooseProject Owner
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My engraving came out muddy, I readjusted the image and got it better, but still not to my liking. I think I need to try real wood and not the MDF. I will post the pix and share my settings.

Pop Pop MooseProject Owner
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My initial (muddy) image and the second image were both done at 26,000mm/min @25% power (constant) with a 2.5% overscan.
Resolution was set at 318 DPI. This was done on 3mm thick MDF.
The last one was done at 26,000mm/min but I increased power to 35% power (constant) with a 2.5% overscan. Resolution was set at 318 DPI as well. It was done on a piece of 3mm light plywood (pine maybe?) from dollar tree.

I'm running on a Longer B1 48W laser. I need to redo my material tests because a setting was off in the laser's controller that limited max speed without letting me know that it wouldn't do the higher speeds.

ManCastleKing
Edited0

I've shied away from doing images. Did a few in the beginning but didn't like any of them. TBH, when I'm watching a video and a maker shows off a photo and talks about how good it is, I tend to still not like it. I guess my expectations are unrealistic.

I look forward to seeing what you end up with as acceptable to you. ๐Ÿ™‚

Pop Pop MooseProject Owner
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I've shied away from photos as well. This is a definite learning experience for me. I like being able to share the progress and ideas.