Carving a Photo with a CNC Router

Learn how to create stunning Photo V-Carves with your CNC machine using VCarve Pro or Aspire! In this step-by-step guide, I’ll show you the best bits, materials, and settings for high-contrast photo engravings on wood and epoxy—perfect for beginners and pros

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🛠 BITS & MATERIALS USED IN THIS VIDEO:

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Other Photo V-Carve Videos I've Done:

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About Cutting It Close:
Our goal is to help aspiring craftsmen do what they love for a living! We hope to share our knowledge in the woodworking field and CNC routering through training videos, CNC router techniques, unique projects, and practical applications.

[Luca_s_Lab]

You have the gift of making things looks easy every single time. And guess what? With your tips they are! Well done!

[JMarcusPedroza]

Was looking forward to the comparison 30 vs 60. Great video

[Shagrat]

I like the big one better other than the forehead. the extra pass was the deal breaker lol. Great video thank you!

[allenhuckabee]

That’s pretty cool. May try an ultrasound photo of the granddaughter instead of the laser this time.

[dian]

👋 Anthony! Cool effect!! I think maybe blowing it out as it gets closer to final pass would help make the decision on when to stop. Thanks for the demo.

[ThreeDimensionsLab]

Great result! Can't wait to try it out!

[MickDuijf]

I sometimes like to use HPL panels for photo V-carving these are available in a variety of top colours and are also pitch black on the inside plus it is weather proof.

[dptplf]

You should have used the hand sander on final pass(es)...

[joejohnson]

thank you so much for this video. I thought that I'd need a laser in order to do photos. thanks for proving me wrong and saving me several grand. As for the sanding, I cringed when you ran it the third time. I mean, if it's getting white, that means that means paint is gone, sanding it again only means less black. Well, not that I know what I'm doing, just say'n. Anyway, thank you so much for this. looking forward to doing one at some point.

[Shorrey]

People draw like this, it's called "pressure line drawing" where you define the line thikness with the preausure on the brush.
Did you consider sending with the CNC as well?

[ogvideogamer]

I think I might have tried a hand sander for minor touch up on the forehead in the last pass. But my opinion may just be because of the youtube video quality I see on my computer. it seems like a little forehead detail was lost between the last passes. Very cool video either way.

[bontexx]

Would end grain work better? I would think there would be less tear out. But harder to sand.

[BillMcDonald-ecfz]

What would have happened if you would have happend if you sanded with the 45 degree, the same as the carve?

[MrHhhscott]

What did you use for the clear coat? Lacquer, Poly??

[lukesterger]

Is there a way to do this on Carbide Create?

[matthiassolga]

how about using a negative photo, painting the stock black before, and cut into the black? Wouldn't that reduce the need to sand?

[edy]

Great video. Thank you for sharing. You didn`t say much about type of wood but I presume it must be hard wood and the grain must be vertical (quarter cut or radial). Have you ever tried to paint the wood with different colors - not just black?

[mikelauramcguire]

Why not use a surfacing bit to take a 32nd off the top after adding that into your original cut depth.

[matthewjason]

lol I guess you never stop saving wood.

[crztrn]

a "screen" refers to a grid pattern used to break down an image into tiny dots, called "dots, " which vary in size to create different tones and shades, essentially allowing for the reproduction of continuous tones like photographs on a printed surface. why can't vcarve do this?