2D to 3D conversions

Building 3D models

    Often the final piece is a 3D version of a flat image. While there are tools which can create a 3D model from an image I haven't found any which work well for me. Very high resolution images help but usually flat images depend on human interpretation. An example is shadows...very useful for people but they really shouldn't be literally translated into a relief model. Simply extracting outlines, the vectorization process, can be useful but once again too literal a process produces images requiring a lot of cleanup.
    When the source is initially in a vector based format life is much easier. On example is text lettering. Windows TrueType fonts can be easily converted into outlines, and these usually only need only minor alterations. For milling sometimes the minimum line widths would be too narrow or the proportions between thin and thick lines need adjustment to be visually appealing in 3D.
     My usual approach is to manipulate the image enough to use as a background in Rhino. The basic lines can easily be traced. Once the basic model is complete I will usually run at least a partial test mill for verification. There are basic differences between what works well on the screen and what actually looks good. Usually I'll try to compensate for known idiosyncrasies while modeling but sometimes I'm surprised. A chance to correct minor problems which wouldn't justify a recarving by hand but are worth a few hours of unattended mill time. It is also far too easy to model details which are finer than desired or workable on a finished piece.
    Once the model is finished and proofed it is also possible to easily experiment. While the initial model might represent anywhere from a couple of hours to a couple of days work it provides a solid foundation for relativly quick variations. Rings whose overall proportions are in scale with their ring size can often be enough justification for the modeling time.

(click for source image, completed 3D model, and details )

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