What is PhotoVCarve?

PhotoVCarve instantly converts photographs and images into high quality toolpaths that can be run on virtually all CNC routing and engraving machines.

The ability to permanently CNC machine pictures onto jobs has been a challenge to many machine users and although there are software products that appear to offer the facility, they often fail to deliver in reality.

PhotoVCarve is also perfect for machining 3D Lithophanes directly from photographs, that make perfect gifts, keepsakes and mementos that will last for generations.

The opportunities PhotoVCarve offers are endless and it can be used by all CNC machine users. From the hobbyists who build their own ‘home brew’ tables to professional engravers running high cost industrial machines, the software offers something for everyone.

Please Note: The Photo VCarving toolpath strategy is also included with VCarve Desktop Version 10, VCarve Pro Version 10 and Aspire Version 10. PhotoVCarve can also be purchased on its own.

Photo VCarving Toolpath Strategy

PhotoVCarve creates lines of grooves that vary in width and depth to represent the detail in a photo

3D Lithophane Machining

Lithophanes are 3D photographs that when back lit transform into stunning 3D pictures.

3D Grayscale Machining

PhotoVCarve automatically converts a grayscale image into a 3D height map that can then be carved.

PhotoVCarve's Intuituve Interface Guides You

Through opening an image, calculating a toolpath, previewing & saving your job

$149 / £110 / €135 (excludes local taxes)

Key Benefits of PhotoVCarve

  • PhotoVCarve's interface is very intuitive and guides you through opening an image, calculating a toolpath, previewing the results and saving the the file ready for running on your CNC machine.
  • PhotoVCarve instantly converts photographs and images into high quality toolpaths that can be run on virtually all CNC routing and engraving machines.
  • PhotoVCarve is also perfect for machining 3D Lithophanes directly from photographs, that make perfect gifts, keepsakes and mementos that will last for generations.

Click the buttons below to view more about specific features

PhotoVCarve creates lines of grooves that vary in width and depth to represent the detail in a photograph or image.

Lithophanes are 3D photographs that when back lit transform into stunning 3D pictures.

PhotoVCarve automatically converts a grayscale image into a 3D height map that can then be carved.

Photo VCarving Toolpath Strategy

PhotoVCarve creates lines of grooves that vary in width and depth to represent the detail in a photograph or image.

PhotoVCarve creates lines of grooves that vary in width and depth to represent the detail in a photograph or image. The quality of the finished result is very dependant upon a high level of contrast between the material surface and the machined grooves. This information is very important to remember when cutting designs using the PhotoVCarve software.

PhotoVCarve machines dark areas in a photograph with wide groove and the lighter areas to have narrower ones. The software automatically calculates the toolpaths based on the cutter selected and maximum depth of groove required.

This diagram shows how the machined grooves get wider over the dark areas of the eye.

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V-Groove Machining

3D Lithophane Machining

Lithophanes are 3D photographs that when back lit transform into stunning 3D pictures.

Lithophanes are 3D photographs that when viewed in normal lighting look a little dull and lifeless. But when back lit transform into stunning 3D pictures with depth and detail that cannot be seen in a flat 2D photograph.

Lithophanes originate from a process developed back in the mid 1800's for mass producing 3D pictures in porcelain. A 3D design was hand engraved into a thin sheet of bees wax that was placed over a lighted candle to show the effect of light passing through the wax. This master design was then used to make a mold for casting designs in porcelain. Varying levels of light to pass through the porcelain depending upon the thickness

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3D Lithophane Machining

3D Grayscale Machining

PhotoVCarve automatically converts a grayscale image into a 3D height map that can then be carved.

PhotoVCarve automatically converts a grayscale image into a 3D height map that can then be carved.

The example below shows how the grayscale image for a 3D model can be converted to a 3D height map and machined using a ball nose cutter.

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3D Grayscale Machining

Learn even more about our software

We have only been able to give a brief overview of some of the software capabilities here. To really understand the speed, ease of use and full scope of what the program can do then please download the trial version and try it for yourself.

Video Tutorials

The video tutorials will get you up and running quickly and the trial version is supplied with a number of standard demonstration files which you can scale and cut on your own machine using your own tooling to verify the quality of the toolpaths from the software and compatibility with your machine. In addition to the standard demonstration files we supply, you can load any of your own data files and preview them using the standard toolpath simulation capabilities of the program.

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Vectric Video Tutorials

Finally, if you have reached this far, we'd like to thank you for your interest in Vectric software and encourage you to download the free, no registration required trial version now and see what the software can do for you!