Depth Mode

Understanding PWM/Depth Mode in Laser Cutting

1. Diode Laser Heads

When using a diode laser head, the software represents depth and darkness through different power levels, not by changing the density of laser points. This method allows for:

• More precise control in small areas
• Better representation of detailed effects
• A single point can have various power levels, creating depth

Think of it like adjusting the brightness of a single pixel in a digital image, rather than adding more pixels.

2. CO2 Laser Heads

For CO2 laser heads, the depth mode works a bit differently:

• As you increase the power from 0% to 100%, the laser engraves deeper into the material
• This creates a relief effect, similar to carving
• The software shows this by using different colors to represent different power levels

However, it’s important to note that while you get varying depths, the detail level (or “delicacy”) of the coloring doesn’t change significantly. The software still divides the image into colored and non-colored sections.

Key Differences

• Diode lasers: Adjust power for each point to create depth and detail
• CO2 lasers: Use power to control engraving depth, creating a relief effect

Here are the example of applying Depth Mode. 

without Depth Mode	with Depth Mode

How to use Depth Mode?

1. Prepare an applicable image. 

If you want to create a laser-engraved piece with a relief effect, it must be a grayscale gradient image as Depth mode use different shades of gray to represent varying depths and layers in the design. Ensure your image has smooth transitions and high resolution for fine details. 

2. Check the "Depth Mode" in the object panel. 

After importing the image, select the image that you would like to use and check the "Gradient" and "Depth Mode" in the object panel. 

3. Adjust the parameter according to your material.

The right parameter settings depend on your artwork and the effect you expect. We suggest starting with the preset but at a higher speed and pass count, and then executing to further fine-tune the parameters. Adjust based on image detail, shading, and your desired outcome for the best results.

4. Adjust the depth mode minimum power if necessary.

We've introduced an advanced power setting for Depth Mode to accommodate the varying laser power across different machines. If you find that certain details in your image are missing, adjusting the minimum power can help the laser perform better in lighter areas.

Note: This minimum power setting is only visible when Depth Mode is enabled and applies specifically to gradient images within the layer.

The maximum power is determined by the layer's settings; if it is set lower than the minimum power, the minimum will reset to 0 automatically.