The
Relief program.
Using the Relief module you generate and
process free-form surfaces, coin reliefs and shapes for engraving
/ milling applications. Here gridded relief data is processed in the
relief format as ordered scatter plot. Relief data are built up similarly
to the gridded printed design data such as PCX, BMP, TIFF ... The
Relief image consists of individual dots arranged in columns and lines,
the pixels. Each pixel has a height value (Z information)
assigned to it. In the various graphical representations this height
information is drawn as colours, grey shades or curves. With this, a pixel
is the smallest presentable element in the Relief. If intermediate points
are required for projections, conversions or for milling, then these are
interpolated The reliefs can be edited, scaled, filtered mirrored and
converted into optimum milling tracks via various milling correction
processes or employed as projection basis for the representation of 2D or 3D
paths.
The Relief module supports, as extremely
effective program, the areas:
-
processing of reliefs, digitalised data,
surface formats, photos (Relief).
-
generation of reliefs from graphic
elements (ReliefVTR).
-
generation of milling data from relief (CAM)
(Relief AutoCorr).
Point of emphasis for the relief format are artistic
workpieces with many fine details and relatively flat characteristics (coin relief). Here lies
the particular advantage of a simple and compact representation. Technical
shaped parts have, on the other hand, rather uniform, in part, also very
steep surfaces with few structures. For this surface descriptions (solids)
are rather more suitable.
Some advantages and disadvantages of the processes:
Surfaces (solids):
|
Grid format:
|
-
With limited number of individual surfaces very compact data.
-
The surface support points can be specified precisely.
-
Depending on the CAD the surfaces can be freely edited.
|
-
Simple representation of very fine artistic tasks.
-
With many fine details a relatively compact relief is created.
-
Digitalised
data can be simply converted.
-
Universal, rapid and exact milling correction processes for almost any
desired tool shapes.
|
-
Digitalised
points have in part to be converted very laboriously via reverse
engineering.
-
Comprehensive tasks with very many details are, in
practice, barely controllable.
-
Milling offset calculations are, as a rule, limited
on spheres.
|
Surfaces must be gridded and can be
passed on only with the accuracy of the grid resolution.
Limitations with shapes with steep flanks.
Because with equal grid resolution the relief data
quantity with the dimensions increases immensely, the grid
format restricts itself rather to smaller workpieces.
|
Exchange of vector data (paths)
between relief and CAD.
If vector data (paths, contours, stretches, points) are
required in the Relief module,
then these are to be generated and marked in the CAD and are to be
adopted in the relief module. In the relief module the paths marked in the
CAD are shown in the colour greenish-blue.
On the other hand paths, which have been generated in the relief module,
after leaving the relief module, are adopted
marked in the ActLayer.
In the
CAD, paths can be very easily drawn on the
relief in the background after the option Relief has bee activated in the
aid Graphic Background.
Aids in Relief.

 |
Graphic
ZOOM +:
enlarge image.
Frame a section of the image using a rectangle
and present enlarged.
After clicking-on using <M , F2>, depending on the module, you
obtain a zoom selection.
|
 |
Graphic
ZOOM -: reduce image.
Redraw the image at half size.
After clicking-on using <M , F2>, depending on
the module, you obtain a zoom selection.
|
 |
Graphic image NORM:
image at set limits.
After clicking-on using <M , F2> you obtain a
selection for graphic adjustment:
Standard
grey image: |
Adjust standard
grey shades (colour) relief image. The colour table can be
modified under
Colours. The graphic indicator is activated by
clicking-on Standard
grey imaged
and Adopt.. |
Contrast
dz-graphic: |
Relief plan view with accentuation of finer details. The
contrast levels can be set in the range 1..5. |
Render: |
Display
rendered the relief graphic with firmly fixed illumination
source.
Standard
setting. |
Relief
Object: |
Indication of the object limits (vector
data).
The display is switched ON and OFF by clicking-on. |
Clipboard: |
Display of the
vector data of the clipboard (,marked paths).
The display is switched ON and OFF by clicking-on. |
Colour: |
Adjustment of the colour table for the
relief image presentation. Various standard palettes are
available (Grey stairs .. chocolate)
and a free adjustment using variable colours. |
|
 |
New graphic image:
Redraw image with current settings. |
 |
All graphics:
Show ail graphic components (also outside the
limits). |
 |
Input parameters
(Program settings).
Current information can be found in the program
help <F9/?>. |
 |
Help:
If you have
questions on the operation, then please first use the integrated
Help.You can access
Help also with already activated
function using <F9>
or using the aid ? Help
and clock-on the function. |
 |
Selection
ActLayer:
All operations are actioned using a layer of the ActLayer
(current or active layer). The selected layer is selected here. |
Relief
file menu.
Load and save relief data formats, images and CAD or digitiliser data in
this menu. The functions in this menu always load only one complete
relief and, with this, delete the previous relief content.
Open relief. |
Packed (.HRP) or unpacked
relief data (.HRL)
are loaded from a file in the working storage.
For the differentiation of the data formats see Save Relief.
Save Relief. |
Save the relief data
in a file. To save you can select the two data
types HRP and HRL.
HRP |
The
Relief is saved in packed format and with
this requires less room on the data carrier. |
HRL |
The relief
is saved unpacked.
This is, for example, required for data exchange with older programs
and for further application, e.g. integration in ReliefVTR. |
Import Relief . |
Foreign
formats can be converted into a relief using Relief Import.

Import STL.

|

STL is
a stereo lithography format from the firm 3D-Systems. ASCII- and
binary files are accepted for import. The measurement is always
understood to be in mm. Advantage of STL
is the clear definition and with this hardly any problems are to be
expected with import. For good surface qualities you should pay
attention that the surface is as highly resolved as possible and
saved with small tolerances.
The STL data should as far as possible be
available in the processing position. If this is not the case, then
you can rotate the STL surfaces before generation of the relief. |
STL
position:
The shape can be rotated about the X, Y and Z axes in
the range -180°..+180°. Rotation takes place in 5° steps by clicking-on
the buttons left and right alongside the angle indicators. Alternatively,
the respective last rotated axis can also be rotated using the mouse thumb
wheel. More accurate inputs are possible in the numeral field through
manual input.
Angle XY |
Horizontal
rotation of the shape about the Z axis. |
Angle YZ |
Rotation of the shape about the X axis. |
Angle XZ |
Rotation of the shape about the Y axis.. |
Volume aspect |
The graphic 3D display can be matched to the
respective requirements. The following can be selected: the linear
projection (vector graphic), relief projection, render projection or
a combination of linear and relief or render projection. The
projection shape shown in black is set. The blue listed projection
shapes can be selected.
Standard setting is linear + render projection. |
Following confirmation of the position the relief data
is displayed/edited.
As a rule the proposed values can be adopted unmodified. A
modification of the data is recommended in individual cases only.
 |
Note: Depending on
the quality of the surface generation, STL data can contain gaps
(imperfections). These imperfections are mainly caused by the type of
design (e.g. through the joining together of surface boundaries using
arcs and segmented lines (polygons)). Small imperfections in the area
of a relief point around a
STL segment are closed automatically by the program. Larger imperfections.
after an import, must be removed by filters or manually.
A suitable filter for closing STL gaps is
Correction Filter
2.
|
Zero
point X0, Y0, Z0: |
Relief
limit bottom left. By displacing the zero point in X/Y and
enlarging the relief dimension, a border can, for example, be
generated around the part. |
Width (X), Height (H), Depth (Z): |
Relief dimensions. By displacing the zero point in X/Y and
enlarging the relief dimension, a border can, for example, be
generated around the part. |
Resolution dx/dy: |
Grid resolution for
the relief conversion. Smaller resolution values result in a larger
relief data quantity and with this, longer calculation times. The
proposed resolution, as a rule, surfaces for very fine work. |
Import DXF-3DFace.
Read-in of DXF data with
3DFACE surfaces. These data are, for example, generated using the Roland Picza
digitalising machine.
Attention:
Here only files with 3DFACE surfaces are read-in correctly-. Standard 2D or
3D DXF data are not suitable for this import and you obtain no result!
In cases of doubt please check your data using a suitable editor or CAD.
Import Photo.
Import a grey shade and adjust the dimension (
measurement). The program imports Bitmap data (256 grey shades = 8Bit
grey shades = 1Byte/pixel) in the following formats:
BMP |
Windows Bitmap
with 256 grey shades. |
GIF |
CompuServ Bitmap
with 256 grey shades. The GIF -format
contains no information on size or resolution.
The image dimensions must be adjusted
manually after import. |
PCX |
Paintbrush Bitmap
with
256 grey shades. |
JPG, JPEG |
JPEG Bitmap
with 256 grey shades, 8Bit colours and 24Bit
colours. JPG images with 24Bit colours are converted into a
grey shade image on import. |
A
photo should be processed into a photostyler (e.g. Corel PHOTO-PAINT)
before the milling path calculation and saved as grey shade image (8Bit/pixel - not in
colour, exception .JPG). Images in .JPG format can also be saved
as colour images (24Bit). These
are converted into grey shade images on import.
Gridded photos (e.g. from journals/magazines) posses a very rough surface
and should as far as possible be avoided or reworked into a suitable
photostyler beforehand. Gridded images can also be improved using
approximate finely/strongly.
The formats BMP, PCX, JPG and JPEG are imported already
with the correct image dimensions. You can adjust the measurements in the
following input. GIF images have no resolution or image dimensions- These
images must always be adjusted correctly.
The relief Status is also displayed as check for the input of the
relief dimensions .
Proportional
[Y/N]: |
With the setting YES all axes are also
adjusted proportionately at the same time. The height - width - depth
ratio remains the same. With the setting No the axes X/Y/Z
can be determined individually. |
Dimension XY/Z
[mm]: |
Relief
dimensions
in the axes X/Y/Z. |
Export relief. |
|
Convert and save the current relief in various
foreign formats.
|
STL (incorporated):
STL is a stereo lithography surface format of the firm 3D-Systems.
For export
STL binary files are created. Export processes with increased surface
number.
The surface is formed through adjoining triangular surfaces and is closed
free of gaps. The
max. permissible deviation to the relief is determined through the input
tolerance. A large tolerance
results in compact data with few STL surfaces, but large deviations to the relief.
A small tolerance results in extensive data with many STL surfaces but also
no deviations to the relief. The tolerance should not be selected too fine,
because the therewith resultant surface number exceeds the potential of many
target systems (CAD/
CAD). Tolerances < 0.01 mm should not be selected. For large relief
enlargements the tolerance should lie significantly above this
(0.05 .. 0.5 mm).
DXF-3DFace:
Export of the current relief into a DXF file using 3DFACE surfaces.
This file can, for example, be read-in using AutoCAD. The surface is
formed through adjoining rectangular surfaces. The max.
permissible deviation to the relief is determined through the input
tolerance. A large tolerance
results in compact data with few STL surfaces, but large deviations to the
relief. A small tolerance results in extensive data with many STL surfaces
but also no deviations to the relief. The tolerance should not be selected
too fine, because the therewith resultant surface number exceeds the
potential of many target systems. Tolerances < 0.01 mm should not be
selected. For large relief enlargements the tolerance should lie
significantly above this
(0.05 .. 0.5 mm).
BMP
image:
Save the relief as grey shade image (256 shades) in BMP
format.
Status. |
Indicate characteristics and dimensions of the relief
file.
The Z coordinates process positively upwards (opposite direction to
LG1 format).

File size [kB] : |
Size
of the file in kByte. |
Dimensions X*Y*Z [pix] :
|
Measurement of the relief in dots. |
Enlargement X*Y*Z [mm] : |
Enlargement of the relief in mm. |
Left
below X*Y*Z [mm] :
|
Relief
limit bottom left. |
Right
above X*Y*Z [mm] :
|
Relief
limit top right. |
Scaling X,Y,Z : |
Scaling factor for X, Y and Z. |
(Name) :
|
Original name of the relief |
Export of relief extracts.
The functions in this menu always load only one
complete relief and, with this, overwrite the previous content of the
working storage. If a relief or part of a relief is to be imported to an
existing relief, then this can take place using ReliefVTR
. Input relief. In many cases the relief to
be imported must be prepared for this purpose. For example, if the r is to
be with any desired contour and not limited to rectangular. Using
Input relief fundamentally all unpacked reliefs (.HRL) can be imported.
The relief may not be packed for input. Extracts from reliefs are
generated using the following functions Export
extract and Export frame.
Export extract. |
Generate a rectangular or ellipse shaped extract from
the current relief. The extract can be exported in a file or adopted as
current relief.
The relief extract is first limited by the two values,
zero position and end position. The extract can be
further limited in the following selection.
Limits: |
A rectangular or an ellispe-shaped extract can be
generated. |
Width, height: |
Input of the desired width/height of the extract. |
x0 left,
y0 below, x1 right,
y1 above: |
Positions
of a boundary rectangle for the extract. |
Dimensions in: |
There are three settings available for indication
of numerals and position input:
mm, Pt
centre: |
Dimensions in mm, relief point centre. |
mm, Pt
external: |
Dimensions in mm, relief point external limit |
Pix.: |
Dimensions in relief dots. |
|
Export file: |
The extract
is saved in a file. |
Replace
act. relief: |
The current
(active) relief is replaced by the extract. |
Export frame. |
An
extract from a relief, which lies within one or
more frame contours, is exported. The
parts of the relief which lie outside the frame contour, are faded out (do not overwrite the existing relief on
importing). The frame is to be designed and marked in the CAD beforehand.
Procedure for export
frame.
1 |
In the CAD draw one/several boundary contours. For
this you can place the relief in the background using the aid Graphic
background. |
2 |
Mark
the boundary contours and change into the relief module. |
3 |
Select relief File . Export
frame and the boundary contours. |
4 |
Save
the relief limited using the boundary contour in a file. |
Modify frame. |
 |
Edit the relief limits (clip or expand relief). |
Extract XY:
|
Create a relief extract. The area of the image to
be framed by a rectangle is adopted and the rest is removed. For
easier input of the boundary rectangle you can draw help lines
beforehand in CAD. |
Add border:
|
Create an additional image border. A border in the
specified width is inserted around the relief.

Border width: |
Width of the border which is to be added to
the relief. |
Same Level Y/N: |
YES:
|
For the border the outermost pixel is
duplicated outwards. |
No:
|
The height of the border is determined
using Border level. |
|
Border level (L):
|
Height of the borders with Same
level = No. |
|
Limit above/ below: |
Limits the relief in Z (cut
off relief top/bottom). For Z value input, first select a
suitable (Z) point using the cursor in
the relief. The Z
level can be corrected to the desired value
in the subsequent input. Capable of input
are only values between minimum and maximum relief Z values.
Following confirmation the relief is appropriately limited. |
Scale. |
 |
Ein
Relief in Größe und Auflösung anpassen. |
Scale % |
Adjust size in X/Y/Z (input in %). Change of the scaling
between 1% and 10000%. Values of 1%..99.999% reduce the image, Values
100,001%..10000% enlarge the
image. With
Proportional = YES
all axes are the same, with No
the axes are input individually.
|
Dimensions XYZ: |
Height-width
ratio (input in mm). With Proportional = YES
all axes are the same, with No
the axes are input individually.
|
Reduce
%: |
The image data are coarsened, i.e. image dots (pixels are removed
and
thus the resolution and the amount of data are reduced.
Image data are modified through this function!
Dimension XY:
Coarsening value
1%..99.999% |
Reduce mm: |
The image data are coarsened, i.e. image dots (pixels are removed
and thus
the resolution and the amount of data are reduced.
Image data are modified through this function!
Dimension XY:
Coarsening value
only smaller than the indicated value.
|
Grade: |
Coarsen grey tone
(colour) grading:
the grey tone table is converted to another grading.
This function is only
sensible for a coarsening of the grey steps.

Display grid in Z:
display the grey tone grades.
Input shades:
new number of grey tone shades.
|
Double resolution.:
|
Double resolution of the complete image in X/Y.
The position and enlargement remain unchanged. |
Adjust limits. |
 |
Match the relief to the working limits or working
limits to the relief. |
Max. graphic: |
Match image frame to graphic. The image limits are so
adjusted that the graphic fills the complete image. |
Centre graphic:
|
Centre the graphic within the limits. The graphic is
arranged centrally within the image frame. |
Centre frame:
|
Centre graphic an limits. The graphic frame and the
graphic are so displaced that the centre of the frame lies at the point X = 0
and Y = 0.
|
Displace: |
Displace graphic. The relief is displaced using the
cursor. With this a frame is also moved. Using the key <L>
the relief is adopted at the momentary position, using the key <R>
the function is aborted without an adoption. |
Norm projection. |
The relief can be displayed in 3D in several
versions.
-
The type of presentation (gratings,
vectors, dots or surfaces) is selected with the topmost buttons.
-
The viewing direction is displayed
schematically by means of a cuboid. You can adjust the direction by
clicking-on the direction arrow in steps of 10 degrees using the
cursor.
-
Using PosnA
adjust the line depiction colour. With PosnA
without colour the perspective display takes place with adjustable
height level marking.
-
Following <OK> the graphic is drawn, <Esc>
aborts the input.
Zoom
projection.
For display of a section (Zoom)
select Zoom projection.
The selected section is defined, using
the cursor, through the two extreme positions of a rectangle (zero
position and end position). One after the other both positions are
input using the cursor. A position is confirmed with the key <L>.
If the key <R> is operated, then the function is aborted
and the image remains in its original condition. Following
confirmation of the end position the image is deleted and the
projection drawn anew enlarged. Before Zoom
projection the image must have been
adjusted using Norm
projection.
Edit Relief menu.
Layer edge. |
Scan of boundary lines for a selected Z level relief.
The lines are determined as vector data.
Following the selection ABSOLUTE/relative, a point is selected in the
relief at the desired height.
 |
 |
 |
Adjust
layer edge |
Absolute
height representation |
Relative
height representation. |
ABSOLUTE:
|
Scan all contours at a height display. |
Relative: |
Scan all contours at a gradient acclivity. For this the
relief is converted temporarily into a height representation using
relative acclivities. |
The level at which the boundary lines are scanned, must
be selected beforehand using the cursor. The coordinates in X/Y/Z for this
are displayed in the input line. In the following editing the level
can be corrected or adjusted upwards or downwards.
 |
 |
 |
Adjustment
for layer edge. |
Relief
section at level height. |
Relief
using the traced contour. |
Thicken: |
Thicken the traced contours up to max. 10 times relief
resolution (pixel). |
Level:
|
Limiting height for the edge scan. The level can be
edited in the range from min .. max (display above). For orientation a b/w
image with the momentary limit set is also drawn at the same time. |
Filter.
|

|
You can rework the relief and achieve flatter
surfaces and/or filter out irregularities using the filter functions.
Filters
are mostly required for import data, e.g. import of dot clouds: Digitalising
imperfections must be removed (error pixs, outliers, approximate). Or
following import of STL data: gaps must be frequently be evened out (correction
filter 2).
The filters can also be called up several times for a stronger effect.
|
Error pixels:
|
Individual dots are filtered.
This has an impact only locally within a radius of one image dot, i.e. no
appreciable change of quality though smoothing of the surface.
Max
imperfection (0.01..10mm):
The image dot (pixel), whose value deviates from its
neighbouring dots by more than the specified
max imperfection, is
approximated (adjusted). An image edge of 1 pixel is not processed.
|
Outliers: |
The function outlier is the special surfaces
filter for the removal of individual intensely different image dots (outliers)
independent of their value. This filter has an impact only locally within
a radius of one image dot, i.e. no appreciable change of quality though
smoothing of the surface. |
Approximate (strongly):
|
The image contours or shapes are smoothed through
approximate and approximate
strongly .
Approximate can, depending on requirement, be carried out several times. |
Smooth: |
The relief resolution is doubled and, at the same time,
the relief slightly smoothed. This filter produces significantly higher
data quantities and should therefore be used for coarse images only. Reliefs
with too high a resolution can be reduced again using
scale . reduce (e.g.: [%] = 50). |
Radius filter:
|
Smooth the relief, all edges are rounded off. |
Correction filter
1: |
Smooth the relief, all edges are rounded one-sided. |
Correction filter
2:
|
This filter fills gaps (e.g. following STL import) up
to a
max. max width 2*Ir.
Imperfection radius (Ir): |
Half
of gap width to be filled. |
Fill (flat/circular): |
Gap flat ,fill, spheroidally. |
Type of calculation (exact/pointed): |
Exact: |
Complex and error-free calculation. |
Pointed: |
Rapid calculation for lightly curved
surfaces.. |
|
|
Mirror+ rotate. |
 |
Mirror the complete relief in X, Y, Z or rotate by +90
degrees / -90 degrees. |
Mirror X/Y/Z: |
The relief
is mirrored about the selected axis. |
Counterblock XZ: |
Concurrent
mirroring for a counterblock in X and Z direction. |
Rotate +90°/-90°: |
The relief
is rotated by
+90°/-90°. |
|