Rapid Picture

Generate Rapid Texture using an image to define contour parameters.  

Photo Selection

Color photos yield better results than black and white photos. Black and white images are more uniform and result in more uniform contours. In this example a black and white photo was used and the original image is shown on the left. Several edits were made to the photo to increase the contrast between light and dark areas to improve the Rapid Picture results.

Example

1.  Define the plate dimensions. This example uses a 15" x 15" panel of 0.5" thick material

2.  Import the image into the workspace

3.  Scale the image to the panel size. For this example the photo size is 13" x 13" to allow for a 1" border

   

4. Move the image to the center of the panel

   With image selected the Hold down Alt + Ctrl and press the 5 Key on the number pad to automatically snap the selection to the plate center.

5.  Use the Rectangle tool to create a contour at the plate boundary

   Enable Snap to Grid to easily create a Rectangle by Corners that defines the plate boundaries. Note the default grid size is 1 inch intervals.

   

6. Draw a Seed Contour for Rapid Texture generation

   

7. Select the Seed Contour and activate the Rapid Texture command 

8. Left Click on the image to open the tool selection dialogue. Select the tool that will be used to cut the toolpaths. This example uses a 0.02 engrave tool. Click Accept

9. Define the Whitespace Gap which controls the minimum separation between contours in dark areas of the photo. Click OK

10. An information box will appear with the selected parameters, click OK

11. Define the Rapid Texture parameters

12. Parameters for the example pictured
13. Position: X = 1, Y = 1
14. Size = 13" x 13" (Image Dimensions)
15. Wavelength = 3.5
16. Horizontal Amplitude = 1.5
17. Vertical Amplitude = 0.01
18. Offset = 0.15
19. Noise Displacement Enabled

20. Click Apply to create contours.

     

21. Select one of the contours, all of the generated contours are grouped at this point. Activate the Engrave command 

    

22. Set the Engrave parameters.

    1. For this example the following parameters were used

       1. Tool = 0.02" Engrave

       2. Depth = 0.01"

       3. Follow Contours = Checked

       4. Feed Rate = 60 inches per minute

23. Click OK to generate Toolpaths.  Group the toolpaths together while they are selected

24. Apply a routing offset to the panel contour

    1. Example parameters

       1. Tool = 1/4" End Mill

       2. Depth = 0.5"

       3. External = Checked

25. Apply an Engrave toolpath to the panel contour to add a beveled edge to the design

    1. Example parameters

       1. Tool = 90 Conic

       2. Depth = 0.2"

       3. 3D Engrave Toolpath = Checked

       4. Internal = Checked

26. Use the Simulate 3D  tool to create a rendered view of the toolpaths

    

27. The project is now ready to cut