AI Generated Image to Solid Metal thanks to VistaSculpt

Turning Images in realistic 3D Files for CNC, Laser Engravers, or for making Sand Casting Patterns has always been hard.
Today, I use VistaSculpt to turn an AI Generated Image into a 3D STL that I use as a pattern to sand cast a Pewter Wine Bottle Coaster. I think the results looks great, and the process to create the 3D STL using Vista Sculpt was the best I've come across.
vistasculpt.com/
VistaSculpt is currently in Beta and under active development. In chatting with the developer of VistaSculpt, I understand that future versions will include:
- Ability to export a Depth Map Image (as well as an STL)
- More options to finalize the STL (make solid)
- A "per conversion" pricing option for home and hobbyists.
Disclosure: I was provided a 3mth license for testing of VistaSculpt and so I could make these videos. No money changed hands. VistaSculpt are free to use some or all of this Video for their own marketing (if it is of any use that is!).

[@jmone3559]

Also did a short of Laser Engraving a Coin. kzbin.info0Wn6q5FjILo

[@Vistasculpt]

Lovely execution thanks for sharing your work with us!

[@jmone3559]

Thanks for allowing me to trial VistaSculpt. Love your work to date and looking forward to seeing how it develops!

[@kurtmelander5103]

@@jmone3559 it obviously works better on some images than others. I tried the female face image in the demo they provided, and although you could adjust the Z depth which helped, I could not get a nice enough sculpt that I could realistically use for CNC work. It's a bit pricey for brand new software, but not really outrageous, I'll have to try the individual monthly subscription, just don't know exactly how this would work, but assuming you have to be online so the software can connect to their server to validate the duration of your license, but don't know if you have to stay connected. You seemed to get better results, loved the addition of casting the metal, something I have always wanted to learn, just every time I think I have enough saved for a small propane furnace, something else comes up (Isn't that always the case?), but nice work, and it was worth watching. I would sure prefer a per conversion type pricing, but it doesn't seem to be part of their pricing structure.

[@jmone3559]

@@kurtmelander5103 I expect there will be a "per export" style license at some point. I played with the settings on the Right Hand Side for some time looking at what combinations worked best for creating an appropriate STL for my uses (sand casting patterns and laser engraving). The guys who wrote VistaSculpt engrave massive stone blocks and I think they use something like 20 for the Depth Scale (but their blocks are in the Cubic Meters!!!). Given I really don't need a lot of depth for either of my use cases, I found having "Depth Scale" = 2 or 3, Detail Scale of around 75, and Smoothing of around 20 worked really well. The settings on the Left under Scale and Rotation are not related to the generation of the model but for adjusting the size and orientation of the model post generation, so the magic is getting the Right Hand Side settings dialed in for what you need.

[@kurtmelander5103]

it's far too expensive for the singular purpose of what it's designed for, even if it gave a "perfect" result, which I never achieved, their price will turn a lot of people, including myself off, for not many people are going to spend that much money for such a singular purpose software when other less expensive options are available. As a retired disabled Veteran, I have to be VERY judicious on how I spend my software dollars, and this software at this price point will never get my money, bad for me? maybe, but certainly bad for them if others are of the same mindset.

[@jmone3559]

@@kurtmelander5103 In discussions with the Author of VistaSculpt I know they are considering the ability to purchase an "export pack" that would make it much more assessable for those that will only ever do a few per year.

[@ihakafairburn2994]

sheesh thats gona save me money on design fees. bloody rippa!

[@darrenkemp9953]

Now I think I need a Batman wine bottle coaster!!

[@jmone3559]

Naan Naan Naan Naan...

[@MadMatMetals]

Very cool indeed.

[@jmone3559]

It is indead! Great bit of software. Just posted a "Short" of doing a Laser Engraving as well using the same process to create the STL.

[@mikekiske]

@@jmone3559 Hi, there. Do you think it is better than Aspire/VCarve? Thanks for the video.

[@mikec8101]

I would buy it if they had a Mac OS version

[@jmone3559]

Worth keeping an eye out to see how it develops as it is still in Beta. Maybe it gets ported at some point.

[@electronicsandewastescrapp7384]

it'll run on a $25 dell box off marketplace.. might be worth it.

[@jeffboss3298]

Downloaded the trial today. Disappointed that all of the so called Pro features are locked out. How am I to decide on which product will suit my needs if I can't test it out. Your Hobby License limits 30 generations daily so you are tracking the usage (Another Big Brother). How good are the STL's generated? You won't find out using the trial. You should allow at lease 5 STL files to be generated for the end-user to test the cutting. Your price point for the Hobby license is not that appealing considering I am spending 50 USD a month for my CAD/CAM software which has a similar function in it, but requires some time to tweek. It's an exciting product and the best of luck to you.

[@jmone3559]

Yeah, I think the dev behind VistaSculpt is focused on the SW Dev as it is still in Beta.... and in my discussions with them, they are considering a price per export option to allow better access to try it out (especially for those of us that will only ever do a few 3D Model Generations in a year).

[@KowalskiDoes]

So I can create something for free, but I can't try the item I create to see if it works the way I want it? Cmon man!

[@jmone3559]

I know that they are thinking of adding a price per export instead of a time-based license but I've no insight into when or how much it will cost.

[@JAYTHEGREAT355]

The software is well structure, but i dont like that you have to pay to be able to acces youre first stl . I would of loved that they implemented a 1 free fisrts stl then pay to use . Maker world has 3d to relief sculpture free with a accout its bamboo labs site . It produces quality stls .

[@jmone3559]

It will be interesting to see how they structure it once it leaves beta in regards to licensing etc.

[@JAYTHEGREAT355]

@@jmone3559 offcourse , have you used carveco for cncs by aspire ?