¶ 1. What is Bitmap Engraving?
- Bitmap files are made up of individual pixels, with each pixel's brightness determining the laser’s energy output (brightness is defined by grayscale values). Typically, darker pixels correspond to higher power, resulting in deeper engraving on the material.
- Bitmap engraving, also known as "raster engraving," works similarly to how an inkjet printer operates. The laser engraver converts the image into a grid of points. The laser head scans line by line, adjusting the power for each point based on the pixel’s grayscale value to create varying depths and shades.
- Aliencell Space supports the following bitmap formats: BMP, JPEG, PNG, JPG
- By default, bitmap images are processed in engraving mode.
¶ 2. What is Vector Engraving?
- Vector files are composed of points and paths, with shapes defined by mathematical formulas. Unlike bitmaps, vector graphics remain sharp at any scale without distortion. Vector files can be processed either in cutting or engraving mode.
- Aliencell Space supports the following vector formats: SVG, DXF
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Vector engraving is a method where the laser follows the path information defined in the vector file. It supports three main engraving modes:
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Line Engraving: Traces the vector paths to engrave lines, ideal for outlining and contour engraving.
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Fill Engraving: Fills enclosed areas according to specified parameters, suitable for shading or large-area engraving.
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Vector Grayscale Engraving: In this mode, the software automatically interprets the colors in the vector image and converts them into grayscale values to dynamically adjust the laser power. Even when all shapes use the same processing settings, different colors will produce varying engraving depths.
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