Introduction: How to Quickly Get a Photo Ready for Etching on the Laser Cutter
In this tutorial I will show you how to take a photo you found on google and get it ready to be etched onto a piece of wood using a laser cutter. It may seem like a lengthy task but it is surprisingly easy.
Try and use some reclaimed wood like I did. Stay green my homies!
Step 1: Find Your Photo on Google
I love Leonardo da Vinci. I found this sketch he made. This will be the photo that we are going to be etching onto the piece of wood.You want to look for a photo that has the figure or image drawn in black. You can also use photos that are color but its a little more toying around in photoshop that you will have to do.
Step 2: Open the Photo in Photoshop
You will want to open the photo in Photoshop or other image editing program.
Step 3: Grayscale That Badboy
Go to Image>Mode>Grayscale
This is the first step to getting it ready for the laser
Step 4: Play With the Brightness and Contrast
Go to Image>Adjustments>Brightness/Contrast
Play with the settings until you get a photo that is all black and white. A little gray is okay. It just wont etch as deep as the black.
Step 5: Open the Photo in Adobe Illustrator
You will open the file in Adobe Illustrator.
For this I am going to be just making a small necklace.
I made the cut lines and now all we have to do is send this to the laser cutter now and we will have this one of a kind necklace!
Step 6: Wear Your New Piece
I made this necklace at TechShop
Check them out if you haven't already!
http://techshop.ws/
Also please visit my Etsy shop and view some other pieces that my beautiful girlfriend and I have made
http://etsy.com/shop/sabotagestudios
Enjoy!
I have included the file if you have access to a laser cutter.
Attachments
Participated in the
Epilog Challenge V