Factors to Look for When Choosing Images for 3D Etching

If you are involved in producing three-dimensional engravings, one of the things that will be of great importance to you will be choosing the best images possible for your products. This kind of design is a very specialised process, and not all images are created equal. Some images are better than others, and the effect will be evident in the 3D etching that ensues. So what should you be looking for to ensure your engravings are the best possible quality?

Realistic Images

A good image will look and feel real by bringing the subject to life. Perhaps you have handed a two-dimensional image to a design studio and asked them to create a three-dimensional image from it. If the designers at the studio are highly skilled, they will be able to make the image look very real. But this all comes down to issues such as proportion, and it is a highly skilled area that not every designer is equipped to handle. If the designer gets it right, however, the results of the 3D etching will be spectacular.

Overall Impression

Sometimes it is hard to pinpoint what it is about a design that makes it stand out and it could come down to a unity of the separate elements of a design. Does it all seem in place when you look at the image? Does it have a good focal point? It could also be a matter of balance, as equilibrium is very important when it comes to three-dimensional images. Good balance will capture the attention much more, so this is something to be aware of from the start.

Interesting Effect

Why are some images more interesting than others? It often comes down to the skill of a good designer – they can focus on specific aspects to enhance the final effect. Sometimes it is hard to put your finger on exactly what it is, but it is a quality achieved by the best artists and it certainly makes a difference.

Choosing the Right Designers

Clearly, the quality of the image comes down, in large part, to the designers. The technology they use is important of course, but their own skill is crucial. If they are not artists and don't have the extensive training and experience required, the results will speak in less-than-impressive images in the finished 3D etching. Look at the images produced by design teams you are considering and get a feel for them. Do they stand out? Why? Set the designers a challenge, such as giving them a single image from which they will have to create a three-dimensional one, and then judge them by their results.

Choose the Best Images for Your Engravings

Make sure you spend time choosing the best images and designers for your 3D etching process. You can have the best machinery and processes in the world, but the result will only be top of the range if you use the best craftspeople.

George Berdichevsky is the Founder of 3Design Center, which designs image files to be used in engraving machines for 3D etching designs. His team of talented artists can create bespoke images for a 3D trophy from any idea or image. Visit the website for more information.