2 Kinderwürfel - Bitmap versus Vektor Gravur

I photographed the numbers from a children's book and then saved them as a complete template in PNG format.

Since I didn't have to do more than adjust the size of the images to the cube and laser each page with the Basswood Bitmap engraving setting, this went extremely quickly. 

Let's get to the Vektor-Würfel.So the first one was easy, the second was so busy. 

Image 1:

First I removed the background for all numbers via edit image (don't forget spaces in the numbers).

I explain the further course of events with the number 1. The course is the same for all motifs.

Important: Since all numbers have different settings, a separate worksheet must be created for each number and these must be edited there individually. 

one hand, to guarantee a smooth program run and not overload xtool. On the other hand, so as not to accidentally change the settings of another number.

Image 2:

The vectors are created with trace image. 

Image1:

In order to get as much detail as possible, but not to let the noise become too strong, I usually adjust a blur value between 10 - 25 and a noise reduction between 10-30. 

There are two ways to do this:

• delete the unwanted details afterwards (recommended variant), or
• set the two values higher until no more unwanted blemishes appear. Since

the first possibility is self-explanatory, I show the second  starting point is Figure 2, with a blur value of 40 to a noise reduction of 24.

Conveniently, xtool creates several layers (Image1) on its own and splits them up by color. These areas are now edited one by one, 

and after ungrouping the group, I delete the yellow and green layers. These consisted of impurities and unnecessary details.

The remaining levels are then selected individually and pulled apart so that you can see exactly which elements the individual parts consist of (picture 2 on the left). What is not needed or desired goes away.

Picture 2 on the right shows how the individual layers look at the end of the editing. 

To get to the image for the final yellow layer, I put my desired parts back together and then merged . Figure 1 shows the procedure and the result.

As you can see on picture 2, the overall picture still needs some editing.

For example, I wanted the butterflies to have a body. Instead of putting it together from shapes, I manually created a body for this (see image 3 for example)

• Select vector graphic,
• set individual points in the desired shape,
• connect
• last and first points with Finish

Since the body is darker than the wings, I had to assign the created shape to another layer. Picture 4 shows the now black shape, 

in this way all the details of the final motif have been added.

Elements that were later to have a different color than the basic shape were also given a new layer, such as the filling of the ears.

I didn't like the full wings of the butterflies. So I drew some holes using manual vector graphics and then separated them from the motif. In this way, everything that bothered me was removed.

The process of Separatings can be seen on picture1. 

For more contrast I made a frame around everything via border. Figure 2 shows the end result of all the work, 

and you can also see that a lot of layers have been created. 

To make all the work worthwhile, each level must now be assigned its own setting. 

Thanks to the Easy-Set area, this is super easy. Simply select the desired color intensity and the setting is in. Only the motifs for 2 to 6 remain and everything can be lasered.

Recommendation: first laser the motifs on a test strip of the same wood. In my case, I then had to set some areas lighter or darker to get the desired result. 

Don't forget: Before lasering, select each individual layer again and check whether one of the other layers has not been accidentally changed! 

Dragon

A moose?

Vogel

Kangaroo...?

Predatory

I hope you had fun with the animal journey!