Easy 3D patterns from sihlouettes

[DickB]

Like many, I have struggled with learning how to create good patterns. Directly importing pictures often produces disappointing results. I’ve explored a few 3D CAD and modeling programs, but the learning curve is steep and it takes some skill to master.

I’ve had modest success using 2D drawing programs to make gray scale drawings, which the Designer and machine convert to z-axis height. Through trial and error, I stumbled across a technique using a free drawing program, paint.net, which resulted in a very nice pattern for one of my latest projects. You don’t need a lot of artistic talent to do this – believe me!

Attached are a logo and the resulting carve after making the pattern with this technique.

I’ve outlined this technique in a tutorial and put it in a pdf document. It’s too big to attach here, but you can find it at http://www.customwooddash.com/docs. I hope you find it helpful, and would appreciate any feedback.

Dick

[fwharris]

Like many, I have struggled with learning how to create good patterns. Directly importing pictures often produces disappointing results. I’ve explored a few 3D CAD and modeling programs, but the learning curve is steep and it takes some skill to master.

I’ve had modest success using 2D drawing programs to make gray scale drawings, which the Designer and machine convert to z-axis height. Through trial and error, I stumbled across a technique using a free drawing program, paint.net, which resulted in a very nice pattern for one of my latest projects. You don’t need a lot of artistic talent to do this – believe me!

Attached are a logo and the resulting carve after making the pattern with this technique.

I’ve outlined this technique in a tutorial and put it in a pdf document. It’s too big to attach here, but you can find it at http://www.customwooddash.com/docs. I hope you find it helpful, and would appreciate any feedback.

Dick

Dick,
I have not looked at your pdf yet, but thanks for the post. Just to let you know there are a lot of who do use paint.net already as our image editing tool prior to importing into designer. For what it can do compared to the pay for programs you can not beat the price...

[Kenm810]

Hi Dick, Nice Job!!

Like fwharris mentioned, there are a lot of who do use paint.net already,
I admit I'm just one of folks that often uses Paint.Net to modify or enhance
many of my drawing before I import them into CW Designer ---
it's got good tutorials, and an easy learning curve, plus is a hoot to play around with.
http://www.getpaint.net/index.html

[TIMCOSBY]

thanks a bunch.

[Digitalwoodshop]

Even I understood how it works and I am very .ptn challanged.....

Thanks !!!!

AL

[mtylerfl]

Very good work! Excellent tutorial for folks wanting to make their own patterns at no cost at all! Would have made a GREAT Tips & Tricks! (and given me a little time off to boot!)

[CarverJerry]

You've got my vote for making it a T&T I think thats a great idea, and thank you very much Dick for bringing this to the forum as many of us are still in (and will be) that learning curve.

CarverJerry

[DickB]

Thanks guys! Maybe a note to Michael T will spur the idea along.

I just uploaded a recent project employing patterns that I made using similar techniques:
http://forum.carvewright.com/showthr...en-box-project

[Woodhacker]

I think this is a great idea. Unfortunately, I cannot get the pdf file to open. Do you have it posted somewhere else??? Thanks!!

[DickB]

Try here:
http://www.4shared.com/document/dlcV...Dtutorial.html