Neural Relief

True monocular depth estimation for 2.5D laser relief.

Neural Relief converts a photo into a true 16-bit geometric height map. The engine is the Reticle Depth Engine V2, a monocular depth estimator — it predicts the actual 3D distance of every pixel from the camera, then we normalize that prediction across the full 0–65535 brightness range. The output is a real height map for the laser, not a stylized photo. White pixels = highest peaks. Black pixels = floor (zero engraving depth).

Operating Steps

Step 1: Upload Source Photo

Drop or click to upload a photo. Portraits, sculptures, leather tooling references — any image with clear foreground depth works well. The backend will automatically upscale anything below 2048px on the longest edge to give the depth estimator enough pixels to work with.

Step 2: (Optional) Isolate Subject — 1 CR

If your photo has a busy background, click 'Isolate Subject' first. It removes everything except the main subject and makes the background pure black, which the laser will read as the material floor (zero Z-depth). This produces cleaner relief edges around the subject.

Step 3: Execute AI Scan — 6 CR

Sends the image to the cloud Reticle Depth Engine. Takes 15–30 seconds. The result is a 16-bit grayscale PNG, full histogram range, auto-saved to your Armory.

Step 4: Tune in the Depth Calibration Panel

Once the scan completes, the Depth Calibration panel appears. Use the histogram and Surface Detail Restoration slider to shape the map. See the 'Depth Map Mastery' section for full details on what every control does.

Step 5: Preview in 3D & Download

Toggle the 2D/3D view buttons. The 3D preview shows the actual displaced geometry — useful for confirming relief before downloading. Export as PNG and import into LightBurn or your CAM software in Grayscale 3D Slice mode.

Tactical Tip

The Reticle Depth Engine is a foreground-dominant estimator — it gives most of the height range to the closest subject. If your background detail is getting flattened, push the Surface Detail Restoration slider to 30–60% to blend the source image's luminance back into the depth map. The histogram will spread out as you do.

Material Recommendations

Basswood / Pine — Best general-purpose 2.5D substrate. Low power, multi-pass at 254–300 DPI.
Slate tile — Excellent contrast. Use slow speed and a defocused beam for grayscale depth.
Leather — 100W CO2 at low power produces beautiful soft relief. Avoid edge ramp here.

Open Neural Relief Tool Workspace