Do I need Photograv?

[Mark Porter]

I have just started using my VLS2.30. It's great for the jobs I bought it for (cutting thin plywood for model making), but I have experimented with engraving too. I have used the standard settings to engrave a photo onto glass and acrylic, but the detail doesn't look good when I look directly at it. It looks Ok when I look obliquely, but it looks like I am getting Moire patterns, like newspaper photos.

Should I keep experimenting, or do I need specialist software like Photograv?

[Martin]

What`s the software version you are using to control the vls laser.

[Mark Porter]

5.23.36.5. The graphic is being printed from Paintshop Pro.

[Denford Admin]

Hi - attach a small (about 1024 pixels wide) photo of the results so we can compare it with stuff we've done in the past.
You will always see that kind of newspaper print effect because its trying to create shades of "grey" with only one colour (by colour I mean laser-blasted or not) You should be able to experiment and reduce the number of shades / levels in photoshop to get a more uniform image output, that might look better when engraved.

[Mark Porter]

Here are a few shots. This is a 100mm glass tile, with a silver backing. The engraving was done on the top surface. The picture is of a spaniel's head, which you can just about make out in the oblique view.

[Denford Admin]

I'm sure you can get a better result by modifying your original image in Paintshop. It looks like there is no detail within the dogs head, so you need to adjust brightness/contrast levels and convert to black and white.
See this old post for more clues:
viewtopic.php?t=324

[Mark Porter]

Thanks. I'll read through and try again. Here's the source image, which we thought had enough detail.