Wood grain 3D

[brucehiggins]

I have figured out a way to add a third dimension to the wood grain technique I described in another thread and, in my opinion, the results are dramatic. A lot of great info is given away on this forum and I am trying to decide whether to market the utility at say $20, try and sell it to someone that will market it, or give it away. What would you do?
Here is a photo of my first try at 3D woodgrain. The third dimension is generated automatically. It doesn't show well in the photo but there is an undulating surface. I told it to modulate each grain line between .1 and .2 inches deep - this will be controllable by a form selection.
Joe, what do you think? Feedback is appreciated.
Bruce

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[brucehiggins]

BTW, this is how simple the tool path was.

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[signtist]

Where do I send my $20? I want it!

[benchmark]

Put me on the list

[city_graphics]

Count me in for $20. What tool bit was used in that file?
IT LOOKS AWESOME!

[brucehiggins]

I used a vbit.

[brucehiggins]

Seems like I might be violating a forum rule to offer something for sale. Is there a rule relating to that?
Thanks for the quick positive feedback guys. I will get you taken care of.
Bruce

[harryball]

I think if you move the "sales" portion of your discussion to the ShopBot related forsale topic and deliver what you offer as promised you'll be within scope of the forums. That's just my opinion as I understand the rules.

The wood grain is very nice looking... I'm trying to figure out how to use it myself.

/RB

[jim_stadtlander]

Bruce-
Does this texture have to be on a flat surface? Or would your program also work for scuplted surfaces too?

[brucehiggins]

This COULD work on a sculpted surface. It modulates the Y value of existing lines so if you had a way of creating grain lines on a 3D surface this utility would vary the depth that they are cut within a range you specify. The utility does not create grain lines - it just gives them varying depth.
At least one clever person out there is thinking "I know what he did." so I will spill the beans. My utility parses an sbp file that you save with only the grain lines and then it uses the Y value in the MV lines as a starting point and subtracts from it in a somewhat random modulating manner so the lines go up and down. There is a lot that can be done with this concept and I hope to persue some related ideas. Unless you program for enjoyment $20 for the utility would be a good deal. I was happy that at my first try at programing the utility I had good results without resorting to some complicated tricks that I thought I would need. It was a real Eureka! moment for me when I got the idea and I am excited about the potential. Now, if there was just a payday...

[brucehiggins]

This one I just did has a hand chisled look to it.

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[brucehiggins]

I said Y value and I meant Z value.

[harryball]

Very nice!
/RB

[dubliner]

I'd give it to the community, it really looks good on the sign too!

[tuck]

Bruce, how would it work for letters that aren't beveled (straight up-and-down edges)? Your sample is very pretty but I can't imagine trying to paint the letters.

[bernott]

Where do I click to pay....Nice work

[brucehiggins]

Mark,
It works good to cut the texture, then cut pockets for raised letters that you glue in. Also, if you use a bullnose bit or a small diameter vbit you could cut the grain close to the letters then cut a flat contour around the letters which could be straight sided.
Bruce

[tuck]

Hmmm....I guess my first problem would be trying to make your process work with the program I use, SignLab 5. I am spoiled in SignLab and somewhat lazy....however, finding a good easy way to do wood grain backgrounds on larger signs that didn't take 3 days to cut would be a plus to my business.

"My utility parses an sbp file that you save with only the grain lines and then it uses the Y value in the MV lines as a starting point and subtracts from it in a somewhat random modulating manner so the lines go up and down."

You totally lost me there, Bruce!

[brucehiggins]

Mark,
We should be able to get you going with SignLab. I am not familiar with it but if it can import bitmap files and create shopbot parts files (or do you use Partworks for that?) then it should work. I would have to charge a fee if it is too involved but it wouldn't be a lot.
Cutting the texture for a 4' x 8' sign would probably take 2-3 hours cutting at 2 inches per sec. With an Alpha and spindle... well it wouldn't take long.
Bruce

[tuck]

Bruce, yeah I can import bitmap files in Signlab but not sure if I can trace them. I also have Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and CorelDRAW X3, which does a decent job of tracing. I could then import the traced file into SignLab and create an SBP file. I could probably make it work. I don't use Partworks.

Where do I sign?

[Forum Admin]

Thread closed. Contact Bruce privately with more feedback/comments.