With Flat Engraving, the edges of the engraved area are square to the face. This is sometimes the best method to use (for example, a wooded sign with recessed copy where the background paint will need to be rolled after engraving). Click on the two images below to see examples of Flat Engraving.
3-D Engraving can be used on virtually any material with enough thickness -and some method to give the engraved areas contrast with the surrounding material. With 3-D Engraving, the tool used is V-shaped, giving the engraving a chiseled look. Also, since the V-Bit is moving up and down the Z axis interactively with the X and Y axes, it produces sharp inside corners. An important point is that since the bit is V-shaped, the thickness of the stroke is a function of the depth of the cut. For that reason, the thickness of the material and the size of the letters is important to consider. Click on one of the images below to see some examples of 3-D Engraving.
Sometimes the only way to get the job done is to use a combination of Flat and 3-D Engraving (for example, if the material is too thin to allow the V-Bit to produce the letter stroke). In these cases, the broad areas are Flat Engraved, but not all the way to the edge. A 3-D Engraving along the edges of the letters then provides the nice, sharp inside corners without having to cut too deep. Click on the following photos for close-ups and more info.
