So I've been messing around with engraving and I feel like I'm jumping ahead

Lasers
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1

So I’ve been messing around with engraving and I feel like I’m jumping ahead without understanding the capabilities. From my test runs I’m guessing I cannot engrave greyscale images using LaserDraw or Coreldraw using the regular board? (since it seems to only engrave pure black areas).

2

Yes and no. Not pure greyscale but you can aproximate with pre processing the image by applying dithering. https://youtu.be/TiEOXElDbHc
https://youtu.be/TiEOXElDbHc

3

Ariel is correct. You have 2 options - burned or not burned. Black & white. Dithering allows you to approximate grayscale.

If (when) you upgrade to a Smoothie controller and LaserWeb 3 software, you’ll get grayscale. The difference is that the stock controller & software can’t do variable power. For grayscale you need to be able to say “burn this pixel lightly” or “burn this pixel a lot”.

4

Thanks for the response guys. So anything grey is ignored with a stock controller? This seems to be what’s happening, just want to confirm.

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What kind of dithering?

6

@J.R_Sharp ​ the video above uses Floyd, I would says a very good option

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I usually at least look at each of the dithering options - Floyd does seem to be the one I generally end up with.

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I know there’s other threads about the topic and I am currently looking through, but how difficult is the Smoothie upgrade? I’ve seen digital displays and stuff and I’m not too bothered about those, is it simply a case of purchasing and replacing the board / plugging it in? Or is that wishful thinking? :wink:

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@Adam_J ​ depends, as anything in life there is the easy and the hard way. If you want easiest talk to @Scott_Marshall ​ he manufacturers some easy add one to make it super simple to connect the stock board to a smoothie