Setting the Foundation
Quality engraving begins before the laser even fires. The first stage is about isolating your subject and ensuring peak image quality.
High-Res Sourcing
Always use original RAW or high-quality JPEG files. Avoid images downloaded from social media (Facebook/WhatsApp), as their compression destroys the fine pixel data needed for dithering.
AI Background Removal
Isolate your subject to prevent the laser from burning unnecessary "noise" in the background. DithX's AI tool removes backgrounds instantly while preserving fine details like hair.
Precision Cropping
Focus on the "Soul" of the image. For portraits, crop tight on the eyes. For logos, ensure there is a clear "Safe Zone" border to prevent edge charring.
Aspect Ratio Locking
Ensure your digital crop matches your physical material dimensions to avoid "stretching" artifacts during the engraving process.
Tonal Dynamics & Effects
Lasers don't see color; they see Light & Heat. You must prepare the image's tonal range for the specific material.
Gamma & Contrast
The "Secret Sauce." Apply Gamma correction (1.8 - 2.2) to "open" mid-tones. Laser dots naturally bleed and darken; without gamma, your image will look like a black silhouette.
Sharpening (Unsharp Mask)
Over-sharpen your image until it looks slightly "crunchy" on screen. The physical width of the laser beam (bloom) will naturally soften the result on the material.
Text & Overlays
Add curved text or watermarks directly in DithX. Ensure text has a high-contrast stroke (outline) to remain legible against complex dithered backgrounds.
Resolution Calibration
Set your physical dimensions (mm) and DPI. Remember: DPI = 25.4 / Spot Size. Matching these perfectly prevents "Moiré" interference patterns.
The Dithering Engine
DithX offers 27 proprietary algorithms to convert your grayscale masterpiece into a 1-bit laser-ready map.
Error Diffusion (Pro)
Algorithms like Jarvis and Stucki calculate the error of every pixel and spread it organically. Best for high-fidelity photo reproduction on wood and slate.
Blue Noise Stochastic
A non-structured dither that eliminates "lines" and "grids." Perfect for organic textures and materials like leather or canvas where a digital look is undesirable.
Pattern (Bayer)
Creates a structured, consistent grid. Ideal for "Pop Art" styles or lower-resolution jobs where speed and consistency are the priority.
Live Preview
Always zoom to 100% in the preview. What you see (the individual dots) is exactly what the laser will fire. If dots are merging, reduce your DPI or increase contrast.
Final Execution
The final step is translating the digital dither into physical reality.
Slicing & Tiling
For projects larger than your laser's bed, use the Slicing tool to split the image into perfectly aligned tiles with customizable overlap for seamless assembly.
1-Bit Export
Export as a high-quality BMP or PNG. These formats preserve the 1-bit dot pattern without the "blurring" artifacts introduced by JPEG compression.
Contour & SVG
Generate a vector contour (SVG) around your image for precise "Cut-Outs" after the engraving is finished.
Machine Settings Check
Before firing: Enable Overscan (2.5%+), verify Scanning Offset, and ensure your material is perfectly level and focused (Z-Height).