I have a drawing with small details like hairs.
I try to etch it on cork.
I use LaserGRBL, with speed 2000mm/min, and 0.75W of power.

If I use the “Line To Line” option, the hairs are too small, and individual lines will not be drawn.

If I use the “Vectorize” option :

  • without “Adaptive quality”, the small details are removed.
  • with “Adaptative quality”, the small details are finaly there ! But … the laser try to draw the edges of each hair, burning each hair twice. The result is a big burnt blob instead of individual fine lines.

Do you know how to solve this issue ?
Is there a tool to approximate fine details with unique strokes ? Is this possible in Inkscape for example ?

Thanks a lot.

  • Sphks@lemmy.dbzer0.comOP
    1·
    1 year ago

    Here is a screenshot of the issue.
    At the center of the picture, you can see that fine lines are two lines.

    I have not tried on plywood, but the issue will be the same, won’t it ?
    I… don’t know the model of the machine. It’s a 10W laser diode on rails. There are different “types” of machines ?
    I love burning on cork. I get great results compared to plywood. Plywood is great to cut it.

    There is a dithering algorithm on LaserGRBL, but it gives the same results as line to line engraving. The laser is not powerfull enough when engraving fine lines.

    Now that I think of it, I have to try another option. Convert my picture into a vectorized picture through Inkscape. Then convert it to a raster picture. Then using LaserGRBL to engrave it line to line. I will try this when I have access to the machine.

    Yet, I am still curious about softwares or ways to dynamically convert pictures into smart engraving path. Smarter than Laser GRBL.