[PhilBa]

That's cool, I'm an aviation buff and and a woodworker so what's NOT to like.

A question about your process - you build a model, render as depth map and then use that for the 3D carving? I've been simply importing the actual model (STL), orienting it and then scaling in Z so it fits in the carving envelope. Seems to work OK. Hadn't thought about making a depth map. I get a bit fuzzy trying to come up with advantage/disadvantages for either way. I guess you can add more easily scene elements in the depth map approach.

 

[PhilBa]

It is better if you can get a good pattern from an STL, but like you mention you have to scale in the Z direction sometimes and that can wash out detail. I use STL ports about 98% of the time. Most times I build the models so they can be easily ported as STLs to my cnc software. Its just some 3d models are not suited to making them relatively flat.

The depth map rendering is a work around to that limitation, for those specific instances, but the patterns are not as crisp in my opinion. But they generate some interesting results that I think make them look better than the clean STL ports (sometimes).

Generating depth maps are also kind of an art. I use a custom node setup in blender (free) that gives you a lot of control over the render. Zbrush ($$$) also does a good job for depth map rendering. I also use ShaderMap Pro 4 ($) as well.

How do you do that in blender? I've started using it and like it a lot. I'd heard people complaining that it's hard to learn. Guess that says something about them because I was making models within about 10 minutes. It's actually surprisingly intuitive. Much more so than F360. Though the talking-head aussie tutorial guy is incredibly annoying...

 

[PhilBa]

Thanks, Oscar. Filed it away for when I get a little time.

My Dad was a lifer in the USAF - 32 years - and I grew up around aircraft and airmen. Pretty much in my blood. Wanted to be an aeronautic engineer growing up but wound up in Comp Sci instead. That worked out pretty well for me, no regrets but I still love aircraft.