What Is 3D Sliced Engraving in LightBurn?
Definition
3D Sliced is a LightBurn image mode for galvo lasers that engraves a grayscale depth map as a stack of passes. On each pass a threshold moves through the gray range, so darker areas are engraved more times and end up deeper, producing a physical relief.
Also called: 3D slice mode, LightBurn 3D Sliced, galvo relief engraving.
3D Sliced is how galvo fiber lasers carve coins, medals and metal portraits. Instead of varying power per pixel, LightBurn repeats the image many times, engraving a little deeper where the depth map is darker.
What you need
- A galvo laser and LightBurn.
- A clean depth map with a black background. Make one with the depth map generator, or use DepthGen Pro for coins and 16-bit output.
- A pass count matched to the job. See 8-bit vs 16-bit depth maps.
Questions
Does 3D Sliced work on diode lasers?
3D Sliced is a galvo feature in LightBurn. On gantry diode and CO2 lasers, depth maps are engraved in grayscale power mode instead.
How many passes does 3D Sliced need?
It depends on material and depth. Up to 256 passes an 8-bit depth map is enough; above that, a true 16-bit map on LightBurn 2.1 or newer gives finer steps.