Up close this etching looks like a 3D relief map.

So far we’ve climbed the curves of basic use of the laser cutter, our most valuable asset. Primarily this means we’ve learned to do basic etching and cutting. When etching we’re producing monochromatic images, no subtlety or shades-of-grey. That’s changing as the etching on this plaque can attest. It was done through a series of preprocessing steps which include conversion to black & white, making it halftone, and then testing for the right speed and power levels until we got it right.

Our basic laser training starts tonight but, as I say, it’s just the beginning. We will learn a good workflow for etching pictures and turn that into a class. We’ll also master our rotary attachment which will allow us to laser tech objects with round surfaces such as glasses or cans. Much is possible with our laser and we’ll learn to fully exploit it.

For a closer view of the etched footprints 

Up close this etching looks like a 3D relief map.