THE 3DWAXMILLER CLUB.

martindiamonds · Joined: 18 Feb 2011 Posts: 17 Location: Chicago

Hello, my name is Greg and I am new to not only the forum but also to the entire CAD world. I do have a question. I am trying to mill a pendant using a scan of a fingerprint. I attached a sample print of something I would like to mill. Can somebody point me in the right direction what i should do first. I believe that i have to do something with greyscale and give the image better black and white contrast. Thanks

ToddMichael · Joined: 21 Jun 2008 Posts: 611 Location: Detroit, MI

Greg,

1. you need to export the image in a Bitmap, BMP file from whatever used >
2. open 3d engrave, and import the BMP>
3. this is my step, go to Image, and
a. reduce colors to 16>
b. reduce noise
4. go to shape> convert to polygon>
5. Now you have your converted image>
6/7 If you have to clean up image
8. Save image to reuse later.

Repost if any other questions

Todd Michael

jeff dunnington · Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2011 1:27 pm Post subject:

Welcome Greg glad to have you here.

Funny how many request I am getting now asking if the 3dwaxmill can carve a fingerprint. The answer is yes.

Here is a 3dengrave file i did for a sample.

open and click on one shape then tab through to see how it was built
Go to Relief / and delete the Relief then rebuild the relief

Let me know if you need some help.

NIce instruction Todd Very Happy

ToddMichael · Joined: 21 Jun 2008 Posts: 611 Location: Detroit, MI

Funny, most of my customers don't want to have a trace of their prints, any idea what the fascination is?

Todd Michael

Colin Creed · Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2011 1:31 pm Post subject:

Hi Greg & Welcome to the Forum.

Todd has it all pretty much covered (nice job on that too, Todd)
The only thing I'd add is always try to start with a high resolution scan, say 600 dpi or an image that's of high quality.

regards Colin

jeff dunnington · Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2011 1:44 pm Post subject:

Todd

Do a search on google. Lots of Funeral home are now offering the deceased fingerprint as a charm to the family and asking a ridiculous price.

ToddMichael · Joined: 21 Jun 2008 Posts: 611 Location: Detroit, MI

Holy poopoo, $450 for sterling silver and $1800 for gold,

well thanks for the idea, have a few funeral home customers, will try it out!

Todd Michael

ToddMichael · Joined: 21 Jun 2008 Posts: 611 Location: Detroit, MI

"Imprint on My Heart".com

Is this someone from this forum, crazy money!

http://www.imprintonmyheart.com/closeup.asp?cid=42&pid=207&offset=0#

Todd Michael

jeff dunnington · Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2011 5:59 pm Post subject:

Crazy yeah. No one from here that I know of.

martin james · Joined: 03 Mar 2005 Posts: 274 Location: Colorado

Hi Greg If I were planning to cut the sample you posted, I would first print it on paper and then clean it up on a light table, then proceed. Scan it back in, convert as above etc.

I would also either dome it in engrave or after it was cast.

Have a nice day M

martindiamonds · Joined: 18 Feb 2011 Posts: 17 Location: Chicago

Hey all, I tried to mill Jeff's file of the finger print and this is what I ended up with. I milled my roughing and finishing pass with a .020 flat with Jeff's specs. One thing I might speculate on is that I did not have the mill all the way touching the wax on the finishing pass, it was a tenth of a mm off. Could this be the reason that I cant see the finger print? Thanks

martin james · Joined: 03 Mar 2005 Posts: 274 Location: Colorado

go to 3dengrave, pull down the cutting poarameters and change it to ball, .01mm, fine. hit create tool path, then when it is done File>"output preview, that will open virtual modela, then in VM look for the command that makes the viewed area zoom, it is called "partial zoom' maybe.. then after zooming you can hit the 3d button to see the file from all sides.

I am somewhat sure that the problem is either a too big endmill, or the relief of the file is not set to .05mm.

hope help M