questions on dithering capabilities of DSP

[aram]

So I've run into a bit of an issue, (though I have figured out some work arounds, just nothing at all ideal). From what I can tell, the only way to cut a dithered image is to import a .BMP (or whatever image file) directly to lasercad, then use the dither function in lasercad. When something is macroed in from corel, the dither in lasercad is disabled, and if it was dithered in corel it is just a B&W 1bit image upon importation to lasercad. Is this accurate? The reason I'm asking about this is because it makes it impossible to have a dithered layer of a work piece unless the whole file is drawn in lasercad (which is a program with very limited functionality next to corel or illustrator). It seems that if a .BMP is imported to lasercad it automatically creates a new page, and is limited to one page open at a time, thus closing whatever was open where you wanted to import the image. Again, is this accurate? Are there any settings I'm missing that would allow this?

[waltfl]

hi aram
no if you send a picture file in jpeg or bmp as bitmap file to the lasercut programm you can dithere it there the same way how you do it with a direct imported picture. but dont do any convertion in coreldraw except to bitmap.
in order to get different layers in lasercut you need to select the object first give it a color from the color on the bottom of the screen then in the layer you can select after double click on the color what you wana do ether cut, engrave , cut after engrave and so on.
yes in the moment when you bring a new file picture in lasercut it creates a new page you can make this with a few different ones if you load one then select them and safe it then import the next one then past the old one and correct the location.
if you need more send me a email to my direct email address it is a542002@hotmail.com
greetings
waltfl

So I've run into a bit of an issue, (though I have figured out some work arounds, just nothing at all ideal). From what I can tell, the only way to cut a dithered image is to import a .BMP (or whatever image file) directly to lasercad, then use the dither function in lasercad. When something is macroed in from corel, the dither in lasercad is disabled, and if it was dithered in corel it is just a B&W 1bit image upon importation to lasercad. Is this accurate? The reason I'm asking about this is because it makes it impossible to have a dithered layer of a work piece unless the whole file is drawn in lasercad (which is a program with very limited functionality next to corel or illustrator). It seems that if a .BMP is imported to lasercad it automatically creates a new page, and is limited to one page open at a time, thus closing whatever was open where you wanted to import the image. Again, is this accurate? Are there any settings I'm missing that would allow this?

[aram]

Thanks for the reply, Walt(fl). Sorry, I think I probably explained what I'm trying to do poorly. Here's what I'm going for: so if I do a design in corel that has (a) cut layer(s) and I want to do a dithered layer (separated by color from cut), is this possible? If I macro in any image file from corel to lasercad it automatically becomes a 1 bit B&W image and cannot be dithered in lasercad (dither button disabled). The only way I have been able to do a dithered cut is to import an image file directly to lasercad, which means that there is no way to also have the cut layers from corel. This is the only way I've found to get a grayscale image in lasercad, any image brought in from corel automatically becomes a 1bit B&W image. My workaround has been to do the dither and the cut as two separate files and two separate jobs, but getting everything lined up this way is a bit of a pain since I have don't have my cut layers to reference my placement from. It's doable, but a PITA, and it would be a lot easier and a lot less time wasted if there is a way to do both in the same file.

[Telrad]

Can you do your dithering directly in correl before it goes to laserCAD? That should also give you more flexibility as well.

[waltfl]

Hi there
can you not post a picture what you do?? would make it easyier .
I dont follow you , if you wana use a picture added to your design in coreldraw if I understand it right, I do this all the time.I group the design with a different color ( red) before adding the picture, and the picture with black make sure the picture is a bitmap in coreldraw then I send it to the lasercut .
sometimes it does not take the color then I select the design and select red from the bottom and the picture is mostly allready black and BMP markt. then I select the black ( picture) go to tool and select dithering.
I hopre this helps you out
greetings
waltfl

Thanks for the reply, Walt(fl). Sorry, I think I probably explained what I'm trying to do poorly. Here's what I'm going for: so if I do a design in corel that has (a) cut layer(s) and I want to do a dithered layer (separated by color from cut), is this possible? If I macro in any image file from corel to lasercad it automatically becomes a 1 bit B&W image and cannot be dithered in lasercad (dither button disabled). The only way I have been able to do a dithered cut is to import an image file directly to lasercad, which means that there is no way to also have the cut layers from corel. This is the only way I've found to get a grayscale image in lasercad, any image brought in from corel automatically becomes a 1bit B&W image. My workaround has been to do the dither and the cut as two separate files and two separate jobs, but getting everything lined up this way is a bit of a pain since I have don't have my cut layers to reference my placement from. It's doable, but a PITA, and it would be a lot easier and a lot less time wasted if there is a way to do both in the same file.

[aram]

Ok, here's a pic. Both are the exact same image at the exact same settings, only difference is left image is normal engrave, right image is dithered. When I import from corel I can do normal engravings just fine, it's only dithering that I cannot do. The image on the left was dithered in corel then sent to lasercad via macro, but as soon as it gets to lasercad it's converted to a 1bit B&W image and is no longer dithered, and the dither option in lasercad is grayed out (as with any image sent from corel).

[waltfl]

Hi aram
ok if you dither a picture with any other programm you can not dither it again in lasercut, but even if it apears to be just black and white the dithering information still is there and the laser will do iot as dithered..
all depends how you prepare the picture and what dithering option you use.
if you import a picture directly in to lasercut you will have the dither option then you need to chose a dithering seting
this can be tricky and you probably need to do some tests till you are familiar with it.
the best and easiest way to prepare a picture is :
take it in corelphoto paint - then resample it to the size you wana engrave you need to do this before any more is doen to the picture
then you need to convert it to 8 bit grey
then you need to do contrast enhacment and gama adjustment to 1.30
then you go to effects and unsharp it usually slide the slider over all the way yo 500 and radius 3
then safe as JPEG
then import it to lasercut and dithere it if very detailed then dither it with 0.01 if it is normal detail use 0.1 .
depending how it comes out you have to play with for max result.

greetings
waltfl

Ok, here's a pic. Both are the exact same image at the exact same settings, only difference is left image is normal engrave, right image is dithered. When I import from corel I can do normal engravings just fine, it's only dithering that I cannot do. The image on the left was dithered in corel then sent to lasercad via macro, but as soon as it gets to lasercad it's converted to a 1bit B&W image and is no longer dithered, and the dither option in lasercad is grayed out (as with any image sent from corel).