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Photo Engraving: Step 3 - Processing the Image




Acquire the image to be engraved

• Scan or import a sharp, detailed, well lighted, high contrast, high resolution image with good definition between the elements in the picture
• If the image is color, convert it to grayscale to get a better idea of its suitability for engraving



Enhance the image as necessary

• Using photo editing software such as Adobe Photoshop, enhance the image as needed
• In this particular instance, we brightened the grill of the car in the foreground and brightened the undercarriage and driver’s side of car in the background using Photoshop
• Save the image in the exact size you intend to engrave it (@ 250 dpi / 8 bit grayscale)



Process the image with PhotoGraV

• Open your image in PhotoGraV, select “Load Params” then select the parameter ULS supplied to you; finally, select “Auto Process” to run ULS’s recommended PhotoGraV parameter
• PhotoGraV’s preview function can simulate more than 20 engraving materials including wood, acrylic, brass and anodized aluminum to give you an idea of what the final image will look like
• Save the “engraved” image; remember, PhotoGraV needs 250 dpi to process correctly; do not resize the image once it has been processed



Import the PhotoGraV image into CorelDRAW

• Import the image into CorelDRAW to send the image to the engraver (remember, you cannot print directly from PhotoGraV)
• PhotoGraV’s preview function can simulate more than 20 engraving materials including wood, acrylic, brass and anodized aluminum to give you an idea of what the final image will look like
• Save the “engraved” image; remember, PhotoGraV needs 250 dpi to process correctly; do not resize the image once it has been processed



Engrave the image to engrave the image

To engrave the image to marble with a 25 to 30-watt laser system* use the following settings:

• 30-50 percent power
50-70 percent speed
• 250 PPI (pulses per inch) image density 3 with 1.5 lens
• 250 PPI (pulses per inch) image density 5 for HPDFO

* Note: Power settings for ULS’s PhotoGraV parameters are based on 25 to 30-watt laser. If you are using a higher or lower power laser, simply calculate the difference and adjust your system accordingly. For example, if you are using a 50 to 60-watt laser you would set power at 15-25 percent in Step 5. Your speed, PPI and image density setting will always remain the same.

Tip: PhotoGraV processed images should be engraved using the highest resolution lens (smallest spot size) that you have available. If you own High Power Density Focusing Optics (HPDFO), always use it when making engravings.

Tip: Invert an image when engraving it on marble; marble turns white when engraved instead of getting darker like many other materials. PhotoGraV automatically inverts the image for you.

Tip: After engraving marble, you can rub white oil-based paint into the engraving to brighten up the image. You must use pure oil-based paint, which is permanent; acrylic paints will not work.

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