Wave Surface Software

[Burkhardt]

I am posting here because I am working on a new software project that allows for the flexible generation of wave surfaces. This would be .stl for e.g. Vectric CAM software or direct shopbot/g-code roughing and finish files. It can also warp existing machine files like v-carve code to conform with the generated wavy surface.

I know there are many professional sign makers here and was wondering if that might be interesting for this application (I am just a hobbyist). Any opinion is welcome. To give an impression of what this software can do, please see below. If there is enough interest I may add a proper user interface to the software and make it available for other CNC users.







I know, I should not have used this jittery font and better done it with a 60 degree bit for a cleaner cut. But this is actually my first try.

[joe]

Congratulations on some interesting textures. Perhaps we'll see some applications with these techniques.

Texturing with a router has been difficult to say the least. Up to now we have been trying to copy mother nature. It's a tough act to follow. But just about anything beats a plain flat surface.

One of the mistakes with background textures is to over do them. A texture should be subtle and not detract from the subject. The attached photo has a woodgrain which isn't too strong. That's what I'm looking for.

Keep up the good work.

Joe Crumley
www.normansignco.com

[Red F]

Definitely interested.

[myxpykalix]

Was it Gene? Burkhart,

I would post this also in the general catagory also because i can see many other applications like making a full wave wall texture for paneling designs and being output to a stl would allow for other 3d models to be blended in like say a fish sticking his head out of the waves or other creative ideas.

I'd like to see a screenshot of the interface to see how you generate certain patterns. I bet just experimenting with different types of "sine waves" would allow you to create an infinite variety of patterns. Very interesting and creative, keep up the good work

[Bob Eustace]

Lovely work with definite uses. Please keep going!

[Burkhardt]

One of the mistakes with background textures is to over do them.....www.normansignco.com

Good point. I guess for normal background textures the wave height would have to be dialed in quite small to not drown out the message of the sign. What I tried to do in this first attempt was rather a sculpture with text than a text with background.

But that was the reason to ask here. I am not yet sure what all can be done with this gadget.

[Burkhardt]

Was it Gene? Burkhart

Actually the first name is Gert. But I try to keep my full name out of these forums. I don't need Google, Microsoft, NSA and the likes link more of my online activities together than need be.

I would post this also in the general catagory also because i can see many other applications like making a full wave wall texture for paneling designs and being output to a stl would allow for other 3d models to be blended in like say a fish sticking his head out of the waves or other creative ideas.

I'd like to see a screenshot of the interface to see how you generate certain patterns. I bet just experimenting with different types of "sine waves" would allow you to create an infinite variety of patterns. Very interesting and creative, keep up the good work

I will post more when the user interface is integrated. Right now all the parameters are hard coded which is not practical for distribution. But at least the math for the tool paths is done which was the hard part. I had to dig out college knowledge that I forgot for the last 40 years. The rest is more busy work for another week or so.

The ability of trying different patterns may indeed be useful for wall or cabinet panels. See below a few things that I tried out on the computer (not all of that in wood yet). I can define as many wave generators (rocks in the pond) as desired and even do spiral waves that would be difficult to do in nature. But I noticed when using more than 2 or 3 generators the result becomes a bit of a jumbled wave mess.

[Burkhardt]

[khaos]

Well I dig it anyway. Nice widget!

[Mayo]

I wonder if you can increase the frequency of waves or the quantity of them, with less space between them, and arrange them so that they are parallel to the long side of the board - if you would then wind up with something that looks like wood grain texture.

Just like the boards that your finished oval example is laying on.

If you can program a gadget that would allow the machining of wood grain patterns using a 2D machining strategy it would eliminate the hours of 3D machining time currently required to make anything resembling wood grain - especially sandblasted wood grain.

A wood grain gadget in my opinion would be way more in demand by sign makers than the wave gadget. The wave gadget is a very cool idea but I think it would have a much smaller user base.