My dad was just visiting, and he asked me if I could use my new CNC router to make a woodcut. That got me to thinking... sure, why not?
He sent me a photo of a woodcut hanging in my sister's house, and in a few hours I was able to make this woodcut! Very neat.
Unfortunately, this instructable uses the incredibly awesome, and extremely non-free Vectric Aspire software.
Stuff you'll need:
- a CNC mill/router
- a 90 degree V router bit
- a photo
- a hunk of MDF or other flat wood
- a buddy with Vectric Aspire or something similar. Somebody let me know if there is some free software that will do this!
Step 1: Crop your photo and invert
Open your original photo, crop it, and reverse black & white. I re sized it to 500 pixels wide. This helps reduce the size of the traced image.
Step 2: Import into Aspire
Open a new document in Aspire, set the document size to the size you like.
Then, import the photo.
Then, import the photo.
Step 3: Fit Vectors to bitmap
This is pretty simple -- just click the Fit vectors to bitmap button. Choose 'Black and White', and slide the slider around until it looks good. When happy, click 'Fit Vectors'.
I like to delete the original bitmap so I can see the vectors more clearly.
I like to delete the original bitmap so I can see the vectors more clearly.
Step 4: Create your toolpath
Choose Toolpaths->Create V-Carve/Engraving toolpath.
Select a V shaped bit, select all your vectors, and 'calculate'.
Then you can do a 3-D preview.
That's pretty much it! Export your g-code and carve.
Like I said, Vectric is pretty awesome.
Select a V shaped bit, select all your vectors, and 'calculate'.
Then you can do a 3-D preview.
That's pretty much it! Export your g-code and carve.
Like I said, Vectric is pretty awesome.
Step 5: Make the Print
So, I sent this to my dad, who actually made some prints. Here are the results!
Looks like it worked quite nicely :-)
Looks like it worked quite nicely :-)
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Try Autotrace. I've posted a similar project in http://www.instructables.com/id/Scratch-1/ with links to the software.
It breaks copyright laws and is plagiarism basically is what I'm saying. I do not at all think this was your intent, but I want to make sure other users know that and do not start knockin' out artwork illegally. My hope is your sister or father was the original woodcuts artist.
That said, it appears to me that you could use this method from your own drawing, to create a very nicely made block to print from, that I'm 100% cool with. :)
So after this long winded post, I will also add, this is a very nice 'able great detailed instructions and would love to know if you think it would work off say a pen and ink drawing to then be converted to create a block. It would save some time and sore hands!!
On the other hand, I don't think this technique devalues anybody's work any more than a good photo copy/photo-etch could. I think you could make a really good copy using a photo chemical etch process, much better than I could make on my router. That's been around for years. Anyway, my point is that there are lots of ways to make copies of art that art thieves have been using for years -- I highly doubt that this adds anything to their arsenal. Smart people have been figuring out ways to knock off art for a looong time.
As far as plagiarism goes, it's only plagiarism if you try to pass the work off as your own or somehow misrepresent the work. I don't plan to do that. As for copyright infringement, yes, that's a bit of a concern. From *my* use of *this* print, I think it falls into the 'Fair Use' category: http://www.copyright.gov/fls/fl102.html. It's not for profit, it's for educational use. But, granted, it may not clearly be in the clear there.
As with all technology, it can be used for good or for evil :-) I don't plan to use it for evil, but I certainly can't control what others do.
I did not at all think you were trying to rip off an artist, I simply wanted it noted that a practice like this could be considered ripping off an artist and off an artist is mortal and ethically wrong not mention to illegal. :)
We can never control what someone does with our 'able. (I mean I have one on making a flaming arrow...I went back and forth on even posting that for a long long time). Just making sure everyone has the info to make informed choice is important. ;-)
The devalue of the work actually comes in because this is a print. It is different than a photo copy recreating a plate is different. Now, that said, I'm not so convinced the original print was wood, it looks more like a lino cut. Even then, because of the wood choice it could be mistaken for the original. A photo etching can not recreate the same blacks as an original etching. This is simply because of the technique used with intaglio printmaking.
I agree with you and god and evil in regards to technology...and art being ripped off for years.
Like I said, I in no way shape or form felt you were trying to defraud anyone. I just want to put a blurp up for anyone who reads the 'able. A moral police kinda thought comment. I actually think your technique could be used by artist., to get the start of a wood cut going using their drawing. I did a 18 X18 wood block print and trust me I wondered what on earth I was thinking very shortly! Even in pine that is a task, oi!
Have you seen the results yet of the print? I am very curious to see how the end result comes out. (final line crispness, if the fine lines show up, yadda yadda yadda) Does your dad make prints? I have some tips for him on inking and such if he does not, other wise even a very good plate can turn out awful. Many consider pulling a print as much as an art form as creating the plate. Paper choice (at least you do not need to wet paper for a wood cut) comes into play as well. Speedball ink is pretty decent and not that expensive and I would not be surprised if a craft store wouldn't have it in a kit so you had the brayer and baren. If not he could use a wooden spoon, but patience is key there.
Take care and do know I know you are on the right side of the force :)
It feels like cheating to me -- you're supposed to have blistered fingers and all, right? Is it the end result, or the process or both?