Photo2Form - Photo2Form

📁 Import previous settings

Why?

Pick the ZIP a previous CNC Relief job download gave you. Every setting on this page (wood, wood width, carving depth, relief sliders, borders, backing, masks, laser overlay, and Direct G-code toolpath settings) gets refilled from that job's _settings.json so you can change just one or two values and re-generate. The original photo also gets pulled back out of the ZIP and re-selected automatically when possible — re-select it manually below if not.

CAM Software

Select your CAM software: The STL output works with any CNC machine. This selects which step-by-step instructions are in your PDF guide.

CNC Toolpath Settings

photo2form will generate G-code files directly. Select tools from your library, or add/edit bits. Settings pre-loaded with proven values.

Roughing Toolpath

Tool

Spindle RPM

Feed Rate (IPM)

Plunge Rate (IPM)

Stepover %

Step Down (in)

Strategy

Cut Direction

Raster Angle (deg)

Allowance (in)

Profile Pass

Boundary Offset (in)

Finishing Toolpath

Tool

Spindle RPM

Feed Rate (IPM)

Plunge Rate (IPM)

Stepover %

Strategy

Cut Direction

Raster Angle (deg)

Boundary Offset (in)

Machine Safety

Safe Z (in)

Home Z (in)

Output Format

Output: Two G-code files will be generated: _ROUGH.tap and _FINISH.tap. Load roughing first, then finishing. No external CAM software needed.

Tool Library

0 tools

Add New Tool

Tool Name *

Tool Type *

Diameter (in) *

Number of Flutes

Flute Length (in)

Shaft Diameter (in)

Overall Length (in)

Taper Angle (deg)

Tool Number

Cutting Parameters

Spindle RPM

Feed Rate (IPM)

Plunge Rate (IPM)

Stepover %

Pass Depth / Step Down (in)

Material

Notes

Material & Dimensions

Material Thickness (inches):

💡 Enter your actual measured thickness or select a common size from the dropdown. Wood Category:

Specific Wood (Optional): Selecting specific wood may help with material-specific optimizations.

Carving Depth:

Fixed Depth Percentage-Based

Fixed = specific depth values. Percentage = depth scales with material thickness.

Wood Width (inches):

This is your physical wood size. Enter the actual measured width (use the dropdown for standard lumber). ℹ️ Note: Carving area will be slightly smaller than wood size (0.5" border on all sides for edge safety). Height is calculated from the photo's aspect ratio after upload.

Photo

Image Type:

Select the type of image you're uploading

Color Photo: AI will analyze your image to understand 3D structure (noses protrude, backgrounds recede, etc).

AI Depth Model:

Choose which depth estimation model to use

V3 (DA3) Newer — Apache 2.0 V2 (DA2) Classic — Apache 2.0

V3: DA3MONO-LARGE monocular specialist. V2: DA2-Large via HuggingFace. Both Apache 2.0 (commercially safe).

🖼

Drop photo here or click to browse

ℹ️ Supported: JPG, PNG, TIFF (including 16-bit greyscale), BMP, WebP.

AI Depth & Relief Tuning

Fine-tune the AI depth estimate and edit height masks in the full-screen editor.

Processing Mode:

AI/Luminance: Best for photos. AI analyzes 3D structure.

AI Depth Blend:

Control how depth is calculated

Lum AI

75% AI / 25% Luminance

0% Art 50% Mix 75% Photo 100% AI

75% AI: Best for photos. AI understands 3D structure.

Relief Fine-Tuning:

Adjust depth, detail, and background

Laser Engraving (optional)

Generate laser G-code to char edges on your carved relief. G-code goes to your CNC controller (not separate laser software).

Generate Laser G-code (in addition to STL)

Creates .nc file for your CNC controller. Laser follows 3D surface to maintain focus.

Laser Brand:

Laser Model:

Focal Distance: 2.5"

Advanced: Shroud removed — Z follows surface

Enable only if you have physically retracted or removed your CNC-mounted laser's shroud (e.g. JTech 44W/64W sliding shroud raised, or stock 7W/14W/34W shroud removed). The laser will track the carved surface to keep focus at every point. Leave unchecked for stock shrouds — Z stays fixed and power/feed compensate.

Power: 20%

Higher = darker char

Feed Rate: 40 IPM

Slower = darker burn

Edge Sensitivity: 10%

Higher = more edges

Auto-detect edges

Burn background

When unchecked, flat surface areas (uncarved background) won't be lasered

Burn Text

Type text, choose font/style, then click Add. Click a placed text below to edit it. Drag on canvas to move.

Font

Style

Size

Rotate

Snap selected text to edge:

Downloads .nc file for your CNC controller

⚠️ SAFETY: Laser glasses required. Proper ventilation. Fire extinguisher nearby.

Preview (Poplar)

Show wood

⟳ Masks changed — click to refresh laser preview

Double-click for fullscreen

Draw rectangles to add detail regions with custom edge sensitivity

⏳ Preview will generate automatically

Shows carved wood with charred edges

Back/Flat Side (Laser or UV Print)

Flat laser G-code or a flat UV-print PDF for the back of a carving or standalone piece. Text, handwriting images, maker's marks, dedications.

Output:

Image Source, Placement, and Text below apply to either output.

Laser Brand:

Laser Model:

Same as front laser

Power: 30%

Higher = darker burn

Feed Rate: 80 IPM

Slower = darker burn

Image Source:

Text adds on top of any image source.

Upload Image:

Upload a scan of handwriting, signature, logo, etc. Dark areas will be burned.

URL or text to encode

Label position

Keep the whole thing square (shrinks the code to make room for the text, instead of adding height)

Text font

Size

Center logo (optional)

Uses just the graphic, not a wordmark with text — at this size a logo with text underneath would be illegible. Kept small on purpose: real decode-testing showed QR scan failures well below the "20-30%" figure most guides quote, so this stays under 8% of the code's area, centered on a white plate. Always test-scan the actual print/engraved piece before relying on it. Overrides "Middle" label text if both are set, since they'd occupy the same spot.

Generated locally — a plain QR code with no redirect or tracking link.

Download PNG

✓ Set as the back image

Placement:

Corner

Image width (in)

Inset from edges (in)

DPI: 150

Lower = faster. 150 is fine for text.

Dither Method:

Add Text

Maker's mark, project info, dedications, poems. Drag to position, resize handles to wrap. Use Add Text for each separate text block.

Font

Style

Size

Rotate

Align

Spacing

Snap selected text to edge:

Output: Flat G-code (.nc) added to your ZIP. Flip stock, zero, and run.

Back Engraving Preview

Drag text to position. Drag blue handle to resize. Orange handle to rotate.

Laser G-Code Editor

Laser Settings

Power 20%

Laser burn intensity

Feed Rate 40 IPM

Laser movement speed

Edge Sensitivity 10%

Edge detail threshold

Detail Regions

View Controls

Scroll to zoom, Shift+drag to pan

Laser Mode Options:

Crisp Edges Only

Sharpens all carved edges

Details Only

Dark recessed areas only

Both (Recommended)

Combined mask for edge enhancement + detail burning

🎯 Add Alignment Registration Marks (for standalone laser engravers only)

Not needed for CNC-mounted lasers (NextWave attachment uses same XY zero).
Only enable if using a standalone laser engraver that requires manual alignment.

Plain Dot

Simple 3mm registration hole at each corner

Medallion

Decorative circular medallion with center registration hole

Star

5-point star pattern with center registration hole

Cross

Religious cross design with center registration hole

⚡ Professional Precision (±0.01mm):
CNC-mounted laser attachment (NextWave, etc.) - Uses same XY zero as carving bits. No transfer needed, perfect mechanical alignment.

📸 Consumer Precision (±0.5-2mm):
Standalone laser with camera - Transfer workpiece to laser bed, manually align crosshairs in software using camera view.

⚙

Upload a photo to see the depth map preview

Preview: Original vs. Depth Map

Depth Map Colors: Red (shallow/raised) → Blue (deep carving)

Analyzing image and generating preview...

Your Image

Auto-resize to match carving dimensions

Cropped areas shown in gray

Carving Depth Map

Double-click image to open editor

Relief Preview

Drag to orbit | Scroll to zoom | Double-click for fullscreen

Drag to rotate · Right-drag to pan · Scroll to zoom

📐 Wood Dimensions for CAM Setup

Wood Size: --" × --"

Carving Area: --" × --"

Max Depth: --"

Border: --"

Est. Time: --

Enter Wood Size in your CAM software's Job Setup. The STL file accounts for the border.

⚠️ SAFETY NOTICE ⚠️

CNC Risks: Equipment damage, material waste, injury, fire. You are responsible for: Testing with scrap first, verifying settings, using safety gear, safe practices. Disclaimer: Files may contain errors—always review and adjust for your setup. Recommendations, not guarantees.

📜 Legal Agreement Required

I acknowledge the safety risks above and assume all risks associated with operating a CNC machine, including risk of equipment damage, material waste, injury, property damage, or death. I confirm I have the legal right to reproduce this image and agree to the Terms and Conditions.

By checking this box, you accept full responsibility for safe CNC operation and confirm you will test all toolpaths on scrap material before final runs.

1. Workpiece Setup

Units

Width (in)

Height (in)

Thickness (in)

Wood Type (affects preview color)

2. Text Layout

Type text, choose font/style, then click Add. Click placed text to edit. Drag on preview to move.

Font

Style

Size

Rotate

Snap selected text:

3. Carve Settings

Carve Mode

V-Carve

Variable depth following letter shapes. Professional look — deeper at center, shallow at edges.

Pocket

Flat-bottom letters at constant depth. Good for paint-filled text.

Outline

V-groove around letter edges only. Elegant, minimal material removal.

V-Bit 60° V-bit: sharp detail, deeper cuts. 90° V-bit: wider grooves, shallower.

End Mill

Max Depth (in) Deeper = wider V-carve grooves

Feed Rate (IPM)

RPM

Plunge Rate (IPM)

Safe Z (in)

4. Generate G-code

Add at least one text box to generate.

⚙

Generating V-carve toolpath...

Download

Download G-code (.tap)

Files will be automatically deleted after 1 hour for privacy.

V-Carve Preview

Add text to see preview

CNC Carving

CNC Toolpath Settings

Tool Library

Add New Tool

Laser G-Code Editor

Laser Mode Options:

Preview: Original vs. Depth Map

📐 Wood Dimensions for CAM Setup

⚠️ SAFETY NOTICE ⚠️

📜 Legal Agreement Required

1. Workpiece Setup

2. Text Layout

3. Carve Settings

V-Carve

Pocket

Outline

4. Generate G-code

Download