Guide to create a model for color engraving
Instruction
PLEASE READ IN FIRST :
Some time ago I shared some of my colors creations and many of you asked me my method to do it. So here is a tutorial with a simple model to understand how to start from an image to arrive at vectors of several colors.
All the detailled instructions are in the instructions panel, you will have to click on image as they are crop in preview mode (and i also add the file i use for this turorial).
Please note that this tutorial is for metal engraving only and i work for my part with Stainless steel 304.
No parameters have been programmed for this model, DO NOT BURN AS IS, NO RESULTS WILL BE OBTAINED. For settings about colors engraving I invite you to refer to my tutorial concerning the use of test grids to obtain a color chart on stainless steel : https://www.designfind.com/project/11208
First step is to upload in XCS the image you want to use. For doing it click on Image (red square on the picture) and choose your file.
Now that we have loaded our image the goal is to transform this image into a vector. For this we will use the trace function (see the red square in the image)
The trace function will automatically detect the different contours of our image in order to create vectors. The more the image has marked contours and well-defined lines, the easier it will be for the algorithm to create the vectors. An image that is too complex may not be well recognized and/or create vectors that bear little resemblance to the initial image.You can modify the various parameters of the trace function to obtain the most accurate result possible.
Once the trace function is finished we therefore obtain an image in vector form. We can delete the initial image and keep only the vector version.
Once the initial version of the photo is deleted, we will duplicate the vector version, to do this right click on the image and choose the copy option.
You can also use Crtl+C then Crtl+V to do it
On the copy we will now separate the different vectors, to do this we will use the release compound vector function, right click on the image and select "release compound vector". This will separate the different vectors that make up the image
Even though the vectors are now separated, the software considers that they are still a group of vectors. To separate them and be able to select them one by one later, we will use the ungroup function (see the red square on the image). You can also use the shortcut Ctrl+Shift+G
Now that we have separated the different vectors that made up the image, we can distribute them across the different layers. Each layer will correspond to a color that will be determined by the laser parameters. To select multiple vectors at once to send them to the same layer, hold the Shift key and left-click on the vectors.
For the final part you will have two solutions to assemble all of your vectors. In some cases it may happen that the initial vector (the black layer in our case) is no longer necessary since it corresponds to the green layer in our drawing. However in other cases it may be necessary to assemble the two sets of vectors.
To do this select the drawing that contains all of your color layers and make a group (see photo 1) then select the two drawings (black layer + colored layers) and click on center by the middle. (you will have to remember to delete the green layer which will no longer be useful and only allowed perfect centering between the two drawings)
In other cases that may occur (see photo 3) you will not be able to center in the middle as above and you will have to realign the black layer manually. Indeed, in the absence of the green layer in the example above, centering cannot be done because the two vectors do not have the same dimensions.
Now that your image is ready, you will have to adjust each layer according to the color you want to obtain, I invite you to refer to my tutorial concerning the use of test grids to obtain a color chart on stainless steel : https://www.designfind.com/project/11208
I hope I have been as clear as possible, if you notice any errors or have any questions do not hesitate to leave a comment