Trying to create VCarve toolpath files for a Bengals flag union

[bradleyheathhays]

I almost have my first CNC set up to run (Onefinity Woodworker), and the first project I'm shooting for is a wooden Cincinnati Bengals flag. The stripes will be made with traditional methods, but the union will be mostly CNC. I want to use the VCarve / Oramask process whereby the machine V cuts all the toolpaths for a certain color, followed by painting. Remask, cut the next color region, paint, and repeat until the entire image is created. It seems like this process would have a name, although I can't recall hearing it mentioned yet.

Even though I'll have the VCarve Pro software soon, I don't have any design experience, so I'll have to outsource creating the tool paths. I've found that Upwork has a ton of freelance people who do this kind of design work very affordably. I've seen what few CNC files there are on ETSY for a Bengals union, but they're just not close enough to the style I'm trying to create.

Does anyone have specific design advice on how to get this done? I'm imagining the oramask projects I've seen in the past, and I'm not sure how the interface where the colors meet should be addressed. Before any CNCing, the union will start off painted all black.

I've got a steep learning curve here, so all advice is appreciated.

 

[gimpy]

I almost have my first CNC set up to run (Onefinity Woodworker), and the first project I'm shooting for is a wooden Cincinnati Bengals flag. The stripes will be made with traditional methods, but the union will be mostly CNC. I want to use the VCarve / Oramask process whereby the machine V cuts all the toolpaths for a certain color, followed by painting. Remask, cut the next color region, paint, and repeat until the entire image is created. It seems like this process would have a name, although I can't recall hearing it mentioned yet.

Even though I'll have the VCarve Pro software soon, I don't have any design experience, so I'll have to outsource creating the tool paths. I've found that Upwork has a ton of freelance people who do this kind of design work very affordably. I've seen what few CNC files there are on ETSY for a Bengals union, but they're just not close enough to the style I'm trying to create.

View attachment 387716

Does anyone have specific design advice on how to get this done? I'm imagining the oramask projects I've seen in the past, and I'm not sure how the interface where the colors meet should be addressed. Before any CNCing, the union will start off painted all black.

I've got a steep learning curve here, so all advice is appreciated.

WHO DEY. !! I'm a long time fan long time Bengals fan
I'm going to follow along as I to would like to make one

 

[smik]

You will need to create a vector file of the image in dxf, esp or similar format. Heres an image converted to vectors using Lightburn, you can also use Inkscape or other vector programs. You can also trace this by hand in a vector program. This is a png image of a vector file. You would select the vectors you want to cut. Placing the vectors on different layers helps to visualize what gets cut. I haven't used vcarve pro for a few years forgot much hopefully this helps. The image was made considering a 10x10 inch size with .5 inch depth.
Most important GO BROWNS.

 

[RGABEL]

I am thinking you might want to do this in a different manner. Not sure a v-carve will work with (2) adjacent colors, but I have not tried that yet. Did you want the orange and white colors as a relief in the project with the black on the surface?

V-varve pro has a fairly decent tracing utility to create the image that smik displayed above.

 

[Gibson's Jewelry]

Hey Bradley, Depending on how porous the wood is that you're using, you may want to "seal" the machined area before adding the resin fill. This prevents the resin from bleeding from one area into another. I've seen examples on YouTube for sign making using CNC and resin where this is done. Usually using "Zinsser Bulls Eye Seal Coat Wax Free Shellac", "Minwax Polycrylic Crystal Clear Topcoat", or something similar. There's a great YouTube video by Sothpaw CNC & Woodworking called "Unlock the Secret to Paint Bleed-Free CNC Projects". He compares different methods of avoiding color bleed, with different approaches, on different materials. Hope this helps.

 

[gimpy]

You will need to create a vector file of the image in dxf, esp or similar format. Heres an image converted to vectors using Lightburn, you can also use Inkscape or other vector programs. You can also trace this by hand in a vector program. This is a png image of a vector file. You would select the vectors you want to cut. Placing the vectors on different layers helps to visualize what gets cut. I haven't used vcarve pro for a few years forgot much hopefully this helps. The image was made considering a 10x10 inch size with .5 inch depth.
Most important GO BROWNS.

Good day, There is no image

 

[smik]

Trying to get vectric to give me a file that shows up. If I figure it out will post.

 

[smik]

One more try.

 

[smik]

This shows the image separated into separate vectors.

 

[smik]

The program gives an idea what your cut will look like. Here using a 1/2" 60 deg v-bit on layer 1. The vectors in this image would need to be modified to how you want to make your design, I just did a quick pick of vectors without any concern to how actual output would look.

 

[smik]

Couple pen blank designs.

 

[bradleyheathhays]

WHO DEY. !! I'm a long time fan long time Bengals fan
I'm going to follow along as I to would like to make one

WHO DEY !! That's right! I'm about an hour south of Cincy so it's all Bengals here. My buddy is the biggest superfan I know. He hand't missed a home game for 115+ games in a row until a few years ago. The first one of these I do is gonna be for him.

You will need to create a vector file of the image in dxf, esp or similar format. Heres an image converted to vectors using Lightburn, you can also use Inkscape or other vector programs. You can also trace this by hand in a vector program. This is a png image of a vector file. You would select the vectors you want to cut. Placing the vectors on different layers helps to visualize what gets cut. I haven't used vcarve pro for a few years forgot much hopefully this helps. The image was made considering a 10x10 inch size with .5 inch depth.
Most important GO BROWNS.

Thanks for going over the process smik and the image. Those steps sound in line with the processes I remember seeing in the Vetric tut videos I've watched over the years. I'm guessing if I find a more professional image and convert it to a vector file through Lightburn, like you mention, the lines would turn out better.

I am thinking you might want to do this in a different manner. Not sure a v-carve will work with (2) adjacent colors, but I have not tried that yet. Did you want the orange and white colors as a relief in the project with the black on the surface?

V-varve pro has a fairly decent tracing utility to create the image that smik displayed above.

Yes, I was hoping a solution would present itself (Jedi reference anyone?) in the matter of the two colors touching. After looking at the image more I think it would go over just as well if all the color sections were separated by a small black line, and that would solve the problem of the color border / colors bleeding over.

You're right in that I was thinking the orange and white would be relief and the black would be the surface. The plan would be to color treat the entire union black (either stain or dye) before any relief carving is done.

In getting ready to make the purchase I finally just downloaded VCarve Pro and can't say how glad I am to see the video tut series they have to walking you through all the program features. Already feeling their great customer support. I'll look up the tracing utility you mention. Would you have any general directions on how to navigate to it in the software?

Hey Bradley, Depending on how porous the wood is that you're using, you may want to "seal" the machined area before adding the resin fill. This prevents the resin from bleeding from one area into another. I've seen examples on YouTube for sign making using CNC and resin where this is done. Usually using "Zinsser Bulls Eye Seal Coat Wax Free Shellac", "Minwax Polycrylic Crystal Clear Topcoat", or something similar. There's a great YouTube video by Sothpaw CNC & Woodworking called "Unlock the Secret to Paint Bleed-Free CNC Projects". He compares different methods of avoiding color bleed, with different approaches, on different materials. Hope this helps.

Hey Mr. Gibson, yes I've seen this advice before and I'm glad you reminded me of it. I probably have that Sothpaw video linked saved somewhere but forgot I even had it. Some of the better videos out there use his format...employing multiple material types and methods, then summarizing. He's a great instructor. High school teacher, if I remember correctly. I think he's less than an hour from me.