The best way to create a detailed lithophane
CNC machining, with the free DeskProto CAM software
Creating a flat lithophane. The video explains about lithophanes, shows the DeskProto settings, the actual machining and the result (DP V7, 10 min)
The Flat lithophane tutorial video explains what a lithophane is and then teaches you how to create a lithophane using the Free Edition of DeskProto V7. We used a famous Dutch painting by Vermeer as image: "Girl with a pearl Earring". You can of course use any picture that you want.
This lithophane can be made with all editions of DeskProto, even with the Free Edition.
This is the first DeskProto video on HD quality (1280x720 pixels).
Subtitles are available and can be switched on, in English and in Dutch.
Lithophane theory
The trick of a lithophane is in the material thickness: the thinner the material, the more light will come through.
The image above shows how a lithophane works. A light source must shine on the back side: the thinner the material, the more light can shine through. This will only work with white material.
An alternative production process is 3D printing. For most 3D printers the quality of the resulting lithophane will be lower than when using CNC machining:
- Using a cutter with a ballnose tip will produce a smooth surface
- For extrusion-based 3D printers the diameter of the filament sets the precision that can be reached. A CNC machine can achieve a much higher resolution.
You can find more information about bitmap machining in Lesson 8 of the printed DeskProto Tutorial.