3D Engraving With LightBurn!

3D Engraving is one of the most interesting abilities with fiber lasers, but unfortunately, it was never enabled for EZCad2 devices due to limitations with their included software. LightBurn enables this by slicing a grayscale depth map into multiple images and engraving them in one operation using the “3D Sliced” Image Mode.
In this video, we will cover how to get started and how to convert a 3D model or “Bas Relief” model into a grayscale image for LightBurn.
STL2PNG Converter:
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Fiber Laser Settings:
lbrn.info/g7CKM
LightBurn Documentation On Lens Focusing:
lbrn.info/EHM3r
Check out our Playlist of Galvo-related how-to’s here:
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Download LightBurn today as a trial here:
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If you need to renew your license click here:
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Join the discussion in our forum at:
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[@sherrithompson7574]

So with C02 can I follow same? When doing so I select grayscale, then does that mean I don’t need to use the STL2png converter? Also, cleaning pass, I hadn’t heard of this, wow! Can I get a starting point setting for that? I have 3 lenses 2” 2.5 and 4. Thanks for any input.

[@mrllblasi]

Awesome!

[@recentrelicsdesigns]

I love this video so much. Thank you. Can you give a link to the image you used? I like it and I want to recreate this following your tutorial so I am removing as many variables to get the same or similar effect.

[@recentrelicsdesigns]

I dont mind paying for it (free would be nice though). I just want to follow something that has a known result to better understand how to make my magic machine to awesome things.

[@luismaymi2873]

Great video it provided me with some knowledge that I wasn't aware. Also where can I purchase a similar storage setup as in the 1:03 mark. I found the tags but I'm unable to find the storage or the focal sticks. I appreciate your time.

[@GF-sp4sk]

Is there a way to include a cleaning pass during the 3d etch or do you have to wait until the end? I was able to create the 3d image on the coin but waiting until the very end to perform the clean. I'm assuming adding a sub hatch in the middle of the 3d layer run will cause issues?

[@lightburnsoftware7189]

There isn't a way to do what you're asking (and no way to do a sub-hatch to an image at present). We'd like to add this, but honestly I haven't seen a need for it yet. Using a small air pump to blow material off the engraved surface results in very smooth output for me, and doing cleaning passes after the fact has been fine.

[@GF-sp4sk]

@@lightburnsoftware7189 Thank you

[@franzghz1979]

Would be possible to do the same on a round object using a rotary tool ?

[@hls1621]

Can this technique be used with the HP-3655 laser?

[@d1gp2008]

On bigger files how long does it normally take to get past the rasterizing/vector image part? mine seems to hover around 58% and seems to be stuck there

[@lightburnsoftware7189]

This really depends on the file. Larger files can be resource intensive and a more powerful CPU will help. Lowering the DPI can help as well.

[@SanyaUllah]

Hi when you go on the stl2png what percent offset dept should i input

[@hectorflores6666]

hi, would the new PMG file create work with a Dio-laser?

[@qwestt1304]

Is this achievable with a 2d 50w mopa?

[@ChargerDude70]

It was asked earlier but never addressed, could you please post where you got this .stl file from, purchased or free? It would be nice to have it for those who are new to this to follow along with.

[@dowgy177]

Thingiverse is a good starting point for free models, although they're far more focused on 3d printing rather than engraving. Myminifactory is the same type of website but generally higher quality models with a focus on paying the creators. Yeggi is sort of a search engine for models that may help as well. Keep in mind most stls are distributed under a public license that forbids commercial use and reproduction without permission from the creator, personal/hobbyist stuff is a-ok though. Happy engraving!

[@CustomCraftedDesigns]

Where do you recommend purchasing lenses for fiber lasers from and what brands are the best? Thanks

[@lightburnsoftware7189]

lasersonly.com has been a great source for lenses. They have a fairly large selection of sizes.

[@user-ss4lo6tw8h]

Hello, thanks for your video, a question. A normal flat engraving fiber laser can be converted to 3D engraving through the program or is it a different machine

[@lightburnsoftware7189]

This is a normal, 2D machine. We don’t even have to adjust the Z to do this as long as the focal range of the lens is deep enough.

[@MrKillerdead]

For better 3d engarving we are need to rotate angle every pass, lightburn in 3d image rotate only 90deg every layer, need 10-12deg and clean all between deep layers. If you use short pulse laser you can polishing metals.

[@lightburnsoftware7189]

Rotation of images (at the moment) will cause the layers to misalign because of the way they are resampled, which is why it's restricted to 90 degrees. If you have an air source, like a compressor, blowing across the engraving it will eject all the metal particles and prevents them from getting burned back onto the surface, and this produces a much smoother finish all by itself. Cleaning passes can be done afterward, though we are planning to add cleaning passes during the engraving as an option.

[@MrKillerdead]

@@lightburnsoftware7189thanx, how much layers i can use in 8bit images? 255?

[@yewenguo]

Beside the standard Lightburn programme and subscription, what software and subscription do I need to purchase in order to have the '3D sliced' option appear for me to select in the Image Mode?

[@lightburnsoftware7189]

You need to have a galvo device for this feature - that’s it.

[@osmankandemir6181]

Is there any possibility of move Z axis (of course it should control by software) every layer and process will run on real focus point on every layer?

[@lightburnsoftware7189]

We will eventually add Z control, but you would need to measure how much material was removed with each pass and set the Z movement per layer manually. There would be no way for the machine to do this automatically.

[@Bizill75]

@@lightburnsoftware7189 Could one simply add a stepper motor to their Z axis.. I don't have my laser yet. OR, I assume one would still need a motorized 2.5D controller setup which at this time we know cannot be used with Lightburn? I'm all kinds of confusing myself.

[@poti2875]

how to start the stl2png? after uploading the file I don't see any button to click to start converting it.

[@user-ss4lo6tw8h]

hola gracias por tu video una pregunta un laser de fibra de grabado normal plano se puede convertir a grabado 3d mediate el programa o es una maquina diferente

[@lightburnsoftware7598]

This is a normal fiber laser - it does not require a Z axis or 3D laser head, but the lens must have enough focus range for the depth you want to reach.

[@coulterjb22]

Will this work on UV galvo lasers? If not now, might UV laser power be controlled in a future update?

[@lightburnsoftware7189]

UV lasers generally don’t produce deep marks, but aside from that there is no reason this couldn’t work. It doesn’t use variable power at all - it does a single pass for every layer of depth.

[@coulterjb22]

@@lightburnsoftware7189 Nice! Thank you. I'll give this a whirl.....new rabbit hole!

[@ghostk33per]

Hello lightburn, are there future plans for ezcad3 lasers?

[@lightburnsoftware7189]

Future, yes, but not near future. EzCad3 users already have 64 bit software and more functionality than EZCad2, as well as dynamic 3D focus and other features that will take significant time to reproduce. We *might* try to support just the existing LightBurn functionality for EzCad3 machines, if it’s not difficult, but at this point we haven’t even tried to see if an EzCad3 card will talk to other software.

[@chriswilson746]

what would happen if I just used a BLK/WHT photo PNG would the effect still not work? I get the stl to png idea with pure height but I know carveco/artcad does this method to make 3d engravings and they look fine. I do my work in AI so I can get really fine B/W gradients. I will have to play around Thank you for this great tool also my MOPA has a powered Z even throw it's an easy cad 2 board so that powered Z 3d carving would be awesome!!

[@lightburnsoftware7189]

If you are just making greyscale depth maps with AI or carveCo then it should work exactly the same as the output from STL2PNG. For your Z axis you would need the controller to be able to control Z. My MOPA has a powered Z as well, but it's not ran through the controller it's just a switch on the front with a special stepper driver that generates steps based on a direction signal at a rate defined by a potentiometer on the driver.

[@fate2022]

where can I get that bee and honey comb stl file you used in the vide? I'd like to see the type of file dimensions that will work. Thank you for the awesome video.

[@lightburnsoftware7189]

It is a paid model purchased here: 3dwave.us/products/bee-3?_pos=4&_sid=0783e848a&_ss=r

[@fate2022]

@lightburnsoftware7189 cool, thank you very much.

[@schmuckanfertigen994]

I can't find the 3d slice in my program. What am I doing wrong? Thank you very much!

[@lightburnsoftware7189]

For starters, providing absolutely no information. :) 3D Slice is an image mode when using galvo devices on LightBurn 1.2.00 or higher. Which version do you have, for what kind of laser?

[@alazouari]

How to convert an image into a grayscale image for 3D engraving ? Do you have a tool or a software ? I am planning to use the laserpeacker 4 for engraving. Thank you !

[@lightburnsoftware7189]

You don’t convert an image - these come from 3D models that are converted into height maps for engraving. The information in a normal picture is shading, not depth, so they are completely different. The laserpecker is likely not powerful enough for 3D engraving on metal. You might be able to get varying depth on wood, but diodes are not great for that either, as they tend to char more than vaporize.

[@alazouari]

Thank you for the answer ! Yes i agree with you but i was talking about engraving on plastic (TPU). @@lightburnsoftware7189

[@nateslocum9950]

Just so I'm clear, this was done with a standard galvo? Not a 3d?

[@korbx]

That's right

[@lightburnsoftware7189]

Yes, this is a standard galvo. Z axis is manual controlled and not moving during the entire engraving. This is why you want to focus the laser a bit beyond the surface of the coin.

[@nateslocum9950]

Awesome! Thanks!

[@EnriqueAlarconskywalker91]

can i do this things with a diode lasser?

[@lightburnsoftware7189]

Not in metal, but possibly in wood, using grayscale mode and multiple passes. It will scorch a lot, so you’d need to clean the result with a brush, and you’d need a strong diode for this - probably 10w.

[@traveler8696]

Why are there what looks like tiny mountains on the negative of the coin?

[@danielkung5870]

GOOD

[@mustafauzunpostalci8619]

The site in the video is not working. can you give a link?

[@TheLouisianaHobbyGuy]

You have to go to it from the link in the description lasertips dot org

[@SantaDragon]

What laser source power is needed to make this? 5:44 These "left-over" spikes looks horrible.

[@megstyle5260]

can you do video on just cleaning pass

[@vdsmade]

👽👍

[@petrowi]

What's with this specific laser machine?

[@lightburnsoftware7189]

This is a 50W MOPA Fiber Laser. You can use a lower powered laser as well, and will just need to adjust your speed/power accordingly.

[@floridalove]

I did an update on my iMac yesterday to LightBurn version V1.2.03. And now under languages, the German language is no longer selectable.

[@lightburnsoftware7189]

Thank you for letting us know. I have confirmed this on my end and have reported to the team.

[@floridalove]

@@lightburnsoftware7189 You're welcome.

[@ennisliu6496]

May I ask what software you use to edit this?

[@lightburnsoftware7189]

The STL was already available online. All of the job configuring and running was done in LightBurn.

[@ennisliu6496]

@@lightburnsoftware7189 thanks

[@kwkwkwkbsksbehsjakagshsm-oy4eg]

can i have a demo for lightburn ??

[@lightburnsoftware7189]

Absolutely, we offer a 30 day free trial of our software. You can download it here: lightburnsoftware.com/pages/trial-version-try-before-you-buy

[@StevenCookFX]

I am unable to get the 3d slice to work. All it does is produce a black preview

[@lightburnsoftware7189]

The preview for 3D Slice is a little weird - It just shows all the layers at once. If you turn on "Show Travel Moves" you'll see red in the empty spaces of each layer, which helps visualize the result. I'd have you attach a screen shot of your settings, but you can't do that in KZbin comments - Please email [e-mail] if you still need help.

[@franklicht9829]

My Lightburn does not allow me to do an Apply Mask to Image. Its there but LB won't let me pick it. Any advice..?

[@prcdslnc13]

Are the shape you are masking with and the image grouped already? If they are the mask will not apply, ungroup them and try again.

[@pfiltz]

What I'm not clear on, is how to take a customer's logo, and get it into a 3D piece of artwork.

[@lightburnsoftware7189]

In this case it started as a 3d model. Depending on the logo, you could use CAD software to extrude the logo into 3d space. If the goal though is to have a depth map then ultimately you want a 2D image that is colored correctly. This tool just takes a 3d model and generates that 2D depth map for you.

[@maxgul.x]

I want to have a cleaning pass every, lets say 10 engraving passes. is that possible?

[@lightburnsoftware7189]

In version 1.5 it is, set to release probably on January.

[@lllantho2949]

so technically I could do this on a piece of wood right?

[@lightburnsoftware7189]

If you have a CO2 laser you can just run an image in grayscale mode and it will do this, but not as cleanly as a galvo / fiber on metal.

[@IceCreams62]

1.2.02 !!! Not still available

[@prcdslnc13]

This works on every galvo version

[@lightburnsoftware7189]

You will need to have a galvo laser and the galvo version of LightBurn.

[@bennyhill5970]

My 50w uses BSL CAD. Can’t get LightBurn to recognize it. I use LightBurn for my diode laser and do have the galvo update install

[@stevetaylor4777]

@@bennyhill5970 Have you paid for the Lightburn Galvo licence to add to your diode one?

[@prcdslnc13]

@@bennyhill5970 BSL CAD is not supported yet. It is being worked on but not released as of 9-24-22