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Lacados LAKManual Vectric Aspire V12

How to make lithophanes in Aspire in Vectric software | Modeling Tools

Overview

Section titled “Overview”

This tutorial demonstrates how to create a lithophane in Aspire: importing a bitmap, converting it to a 3D component, inverting the height profile so dark areas are thicker than light areas, limiting the machining area, and generating 3D roughing and finishing toolpaths.

Steps

Section titled “Steps”
  1. Create a new single-sided job: width 8“, height 10“, thickness 0.25“, z0 = material surface, XY datum = middle (change to bottom left later for toolpaths). Set modeling resolution to Very High and material to a solid color (e.g. Grey 25%).
  2. Use the Create component from selected/imported bitmap tool (preserves maximum detail) to import your image. Arrange views vertically to see the generated 3D component.
  3. Align the model to the center of the job space (F9 or align tool). Resize using Transform Objects: set Y to 8.5“ with XY link enabled, anchor centered, scale Z enabled.
  4. Invert the model: select the component and change its combine mode from Add to Subtract. This makes dark image areas raised and light image areas recessed, which is required for a backlit lithophane.
  5. (Optional) Turn off View → Draw Modeling Plane to remove the translucent plane if it obstructs the view.
  6. Limit machining to the lithophane area: in the Design tab, draw a rectangle (anchor middle, X=0, Y=0, width 6“, height 8“). Keep this vector selected for the toolpath boundary.
  7. Open the Toolpath tab and go to Material Setup. Set XY datum to bottom left, z0 = material surface, and model position in material to Gap below model = 0.04“ (minimum thickness of the lithophane). Set a safe Rapid Z gap (e.g. 0.25“).
  8. Create a 3D Roughing Toolpath using a 1/8“ ball nose. Edit tool settings for this toolpath only: pass depth 0.0625“, step-over 0.05“, spindle speed 12,000 RPM. Set machining limit boundary to the selected rectangle, add a small machining allowance for finishing, and use a Z-level strategy. Rename and calculate. If a warning appears about machining allowance >20% of tool diameter, it can be ignored if the larger step-over is intentional.
  9. Create a 3D Finishing Toolpath with the same 1/8“ ball nose. Edit settings to reduce step-over to 8% (0.01“) for a fine finish. Calculate and preview to confirm smooth results.

Key Points / Warnings

Section titled “Key Points / Warnings”
  • Lithophane effect depends on varying material thickness: dark image areas must be thicker/higher, light areas thinner/lower so backlight can pass through.
  • Use the bitmap-to-component tool rather than a plain bitmap import to retain fine detail.
  • Combine mode Subtract inverts