PATRIOTIC SHIELD

I've done all the testing and experimentation, so you should be able to achieve very similar results. the file is broken down into layers. Those layers are labeled steps 1-7 with a brief description of what that layer is.

don't worry, step 1 and step 7 are inverted on purpose. (we want these to brighten the white areas)

Steps 3 & 4 are the colors red and blue respectively. Step 5 is the eagle, and step 6 goes back and darkend the dark areas more.

You'll want to make sure the piece is free of grease or fingerprints, as these can have a negative effect on the quality of your engraving.

I just give it a quick spray with alcohol and wipe it with a soft cloth.

Don't forget to set your focus. When framing, select “outline” in the settings. this will ensure you get the piece lined up nicely.

friendly tip* use one of those business cards you've got over there on your desk, yeah that one. Set the card down on the base of your F1, use the cloth you just cleaned your shield off with to set the shield on the card. now you can move the piece to frame it without putting and contaminants back on the surface.

Ensure your framing is good.

When you click process, don't be alarmed, it's supposed to look like that.

Remember we have a couple inverted layers stacked in there.

Go ahead and click start to begin processing.

in 18:40 you will have your very own patriotic eagle shield.

The xcs file includes a second canvas, which is the original image before I broke it into all the layers.

It has what I have found to be pretty good settings for a single pass image.