I have been asked to etch a photo of the local H.S. Band Director onto a mug as a X-mas gift.
I Know it can be done, and I have tried to see if there were any previous posting regarding this technique, but did not see what I am looking for!
I need to convert a photo into a stencil for glass etching.
Can anyone help here! Since this is a X-mas gift, not in a hurry!
Steve Carter
LOGIN Name Formerly: atog254
-------------------- Steve Carter {:{) a Touch of Glass 254 Lexington Mill Rd. Magnolia, DE, 19962 PH: 302-335-3170 Posts: 181 | From: Magnolia, De, USA - Center of the Universe | Registered: Jan 1999
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posted
Hi Steve, so you need to create a vector from a bitmap? Corel Trace is the ticket. (If you didn't install it when you installed Draw, you'll have to go back to the original CD and do that). Place the bitmap on a Draw page, select Bitmaps, Trace bitmap, and Trace will launch as a separate utility. There are settings there for how many colors to rebder the trace in - as well as a 'complexity' slider that will control how many nodes the trace will have. Finding the best conversion settings is a matter of trial and error based on the contrast and resolution of your bitmap, and whether you want to interpret the image in 1, 3, 12 colors, etc. It's a great utility that takes some practice to be familiar with. Enjoy.
SONGPAINTER Original Sign Music by Sign People NOW AVAILABLE on CD and the proceeds go to Letterville's favorite charity! Click Here for Sound Clips! Posts: 1974 | From: Orleans, MA, Cape Cod, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Check out this link from the UKSG website. It's really helpfull, and a fantastic mob of people.www.uksignboards.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=1107
-------------------- Lee Attewell Graffic Jam Auto Unit 3, 1731 Albany Highway, Kenwick Western Australia 6108 Posts: 102 | From: PERTH WESTERN AUSTRALIA | Registered: Oct 2001
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posted
I second Shane's suggestion! I'm thinkin that photoabrasive.com might be the URL where you can email them a pic and they'll send you blasting stencils with halftone. My glass etching has always been huge stuff, not wine glasses, etc...and they charge by the inch. So, it's never been an option for me, but I have tried the samples and they blast perfect and easy. Using a paasche air eraser, takes about 30 seconds to etch one to perfection.
They charge by the sq inch...it's the set up charge that'll get ya. Doing a couple might cost ya, depended on how good a friend you're doin this for. lol
Posterizing is one idea...but unless your friend's face looks like this ---> , you're in for some horrendous weeding on something that small.
BTW, email me if that URL doesn't work and I'll find one for you that does.
[ October 10, 2002, 02:45 PM: Message edited by: Don Coplen ]
posted
I think the photo resist which is eiter a stick-on emultion or a spread on glue emultion is what you will need to get a detailed etch. For that, go to corel paint and use the posterizing commands or convert to black and white using the adjustable meters to correct the black and white as desired. Then print a transparency for photo the photo resist. This method takes a lot of training but gives great detail. The vector method as Joe has describes would work with a vinyl or rubber cut out resist, but offers much less detail. Let me warn you that these processes require a lot of fine tuning to make a success, and are interesting, but are not made for doing onesies and twosies. I would only consider taking the job if I were serious about offering it as a major sideline otherwise I would sub it out. I have been doing it for years and would not take on a single mug job.
-------------------- "Don't change horses in midstream, unless you spot one with longer legs" bronzeo oti Jack Davis 1410 Main St Joplin, MO 64801 www.imagemakerart.com jack@imagemakerart.com Posts: 1549 | From: Joplin, MO | Registered: Mar 2000
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![[Smile]](smile.gif)
, you're in for some horrendous weeding on something that small.
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