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« on: August 09, 2012, 07:52:02 AM »
I have been asked by Picengraver to test a beta version of his latest software ‘PicLaser’ and as I have no commercial interest in this product think it would be OK to post a few details here.
PicLaser takes a bitmap image and enables it to be converted to a dithered halftone (using one of a number of different, industry standard algorithms) then generates the necessary GCode to reproduce the image. It uses a unique method to create a laser ‘on time’ dwell which makes it just as suitable for high as well as low power lasers. I have not yet tried it using an impact magnet (my next task) but I have every confidence.
This was my first test piece with the laser, it is faux aluminium faced engraving laminate, with the image just slightly larger than life size and took around 20 minutes to complete. I have deliberately scaled the image up a bit and kept the focus tight so the individual dots are clearly visible but for portrait work it is generally considered best to de-focus slightly, producing a somewhat larger dot size which blends in a smoother manner.
Tweakie.