For this project, I wanted to see what my 10 watt diode laser in my F1 could handle. I created the image using Ai and set up 3 engrave layers with various settings to accomplish this look.
Choose a hardwood that is free from sap lines or other blemishes that might affect the engraved image. My top choice for this type of project is maple wood.
Cut the wood to a size of roughly 3.5" x 3.5". The thickness isn't critical as long as the engraving doesn't go all the way through the wood.
Thoroughly sand the surface to eliminate any imperfections before engraving.
Load the file into your Creative Space software. Set the focus and marking area. When you open the file, it will appear as a single image, but it actually contains three identical images with different grayscale adjustments. Refer to the image above to see how it is divided into three separate images.
After making the grayscale adjustments, align the images vertically and horizontally, then group them together. Apply the same engraving settings to each grouped image. The order of layer engraving is crucial: it should engrave in the sequence of red, green, and then purple to achieve the desired look.
The next step is to run your engraving file. Remember that the image will be engraved three times, so be patient. The entire project should take no longer than 25 minutes if you used the specified size and settings in the file.
Clean the residue from the engraving and lightly sand if needed. Apply a thin coat of water-based polyurethane and let it dry. Trim your project if necessary. Enjoy!