VectorForgeGuide 03

3D Relief & Challenge Coins

Turn a photo or logo into a grayscale heightmap — and one toggle away, a challenge coin.

01

Generate the relief

In Depth mode, click Generate depth map. An AI depth model runs in your browser (free; the first run downloads ~50 MB and caches). The result is a grayscale heightmap where white = highest — exactly what a 3D/relief engrave reads.

02

Dial in detail

Detail comes from your image, not the model. Turn Image detail up (1.5–2) for crisp surface detail, lower 3D form if it looks bulbous, and add a little Sharpen. Use Smooth to remove stair-steps on faces.

03

Isolate the subject

Turn on Remove background (AI) to drop the background to a flat base plane, or use Flatten background to push the darkest tones flat. This keeps the relief focused on the subject.

04

Make it a coin

Toggle Challenge coin. Set the diameter (25/40/50/65 mm presets or custom), reposition and zoom the crop, add a raised rim, and type curved top and bottom rim text with a font of your choice.

05

Export the heightmap

Export a grayscale PNG. Load it into your laser’s 3D/grayscale mode. If it engraves inside-out, toggle Invert — some machines read white as deepest.

💡 Bas-relief reads best shallow: keep relief height modest rather than dramatic.