I got my MBP engraved EDIT: Finished pictures!

[iNewbie]

I'm curious as to how they would get the machine to do this?

Do they have to re-create the image in Illustrator and somehow get the machine to read the file?

Can someone explain it to me lol.

The best way to do your graphic is as a Vector file. While Illustrator will do this, most trophy/engraving shops actually use Corel Draw.

The laser itself is exactly like a printer. You just "print" to it. There are additional settings in the driver to control speed and power. There's typically 2 tips of lasering.. Raster which is etching and vector which is cutting.

My wife has a little engraving business and I just moved her to a Macbook. She uses Corel Draw with Fusion and it works great.

 

[iNewbie]

i just noticed the same! i'd be hard pressed to do that to mine since i'd probably get sick of it after a while, but that would be awesome to do with a cover.

I haven't etched mine yet, because I can't find a design that I want to live with...

But another alternative that I might try, is you can put a thin "Sticker" on the lid. Then just CUT the sticker in a design and pull away the excess... like a car window decal..

If you get tired of it you just pull away the design... The trick will be lasering with just enough power to cut the "sticker" but not etch the outline into the lid. I'd definately need to test that on the underside or battery....

 

[ucfgrad93]

Can't say I like it, but you certainly have a unique MBP now!

 

[tip]

Not my cup of tea, but if it makes you happy, that's all that matters.

 

[rake_mistry]

Sorry, but I think that looks stupid and ruins the look of the laptop.

Exactly. As much as that's great and all, I just don't think I'd like that to be done to MY MacBook Pro (hugs MacBook Pro).

 

[Csmitte]

Haha, i dont plan on selling my MBP until it dies. Which hopefully it wont be soon (Knocks on wood).

thats what they all say!

 

[juanster]

that looks very cool man congratz

 

[zephead]

Yes it is backwards, i'm at school and don't have a camera to use. But it will run from the bottom left to the upper right.

Hint: Photo Booth menu > Edit > Auto Flip New Photos. Now your pictures will automatically come out flipped the right way.

 

[AuroraProject]

Nice, I want to get mine done like this:

 

[kolax]

Nice job - that looks cool!

£20 ain't bad for that job either. I'm sure my local guys would charge triple that.

 

[DJAznSensation]

so i've read this thread acouple times and I definitly want to do this on my macbook pro when i'm done paying it off...

my question is: is what type of local places can do this?

trophy shops, engraving shops, etc. is there any other place?

and do i need to ask them if they have a special type of laser to engrave in?

how should i draw out my design... pencil it on paper? photoshop/illustrator etc?

 

[iNewbie]

so i've read this thread acouple times and I definitly want to do this on my macbook pro when i'm done paying it off...

my question is: is what type of local places can do this?

trophy shops, engraving shops, etc. is there any other place?

and do i need to ask them if they have a special type of laser to engrave in?

how should i draw out my design... pencil it on paper? photoshop/illustrator etc?

Trophy shops might have a laser for this... It's just a CO2 laser... nothing really special about it... There are lots of different brands. I have an Epilog Laser myself. You'll want to make sure it fits in the laser... some lasers have smaller beds...

PROBABLY the preferred file type will be a Vector file in Corel Draw... but you'll need to ask.

If you want to see an example with a downloadable file to play with look here:

http://epiloglaser.com/sc_macbook.htm

Also of potential interest is iPhone engraving... there's an example with a file here:
http://www.epiloglaser.com/sc_iphone.htm

My wife did that one and it turned out really nice....

 

[ricpac]

WOW! That just looks so out-of-this-world!

 

[Padaung]

Looks wicked, dude! Well worth the effort.

 

[MacDawg]

I have an Epilog Laser myself.

Is this your main business, or a side?
How much does a laser like that cost and what are the other hidden costs?

Looks like an interesting hobby/side job



Woof, Woof - Dawg

 

[mcmillyonaire]

my own design

so i got excited when i saw this and I drew up my own design, i still need to find someone to engrave it, but let me know what you think, and feel free to suggest anything to make it better

 

[Vanarak19]

personally dont really like any of it to tell you the truth.

i like the idea of etching, but id never do it to my 2000$ machine.

if i were to do it. id make a roughly 1/4 border completed shaded around the apple, that would look hot.

 

[andrewdale]

that would look hot.

Do our MBPs really need any more help in the heat department, though?

 

[Sir Cecil]

Why anyone would ruin a classic design with such ugly graffiti is beyond my comprehension.

In terms of creative mentality, I'd equate this with using a wax crayon to scribble a beard on a photo of the Mona Lisa.

 

[mcmillyonaire]

so i take it nobody likes my design?

 

[Osarkon]

so i take it nobody likes my design?

It looks alright, not something I'd have personally though.

 

[MacMedic]

makes it harder to steal

Actually, just as easy to steal - especially because most people keep there notebooks in a case or bag - and would be thieves just snatch and run. They'll look at it later - and etching won't make them bring it back. If they intended to sell it - they'll just chuck it. If they intend to keep it for themselves, I don't think they'll mind some etching. Pretty easy to keep covered up... but hey. I've thought of doing it to mine too. I think it's cool.

 

[MacDawg]

so i take it nobody likes my design?

I like it just fine
This whole matter is personal taste at best, some like the idea, others don't

Like the OP, I have always kept my machines until they are no longer functioning or they outlive their usefulness. I don't make a habit of selling to move up. I wouldn't have a problem personalizing my machine, in fact, the thought intrigues me, but I would have a hard time settling on a lasting image.

Woof, Woof - Dawg

 

[toxthexnines]

Thanks for all the input everybody!!!

 

[kockgunner]

I don't think he really cares about his re-sale value...

I think he did it because he thinks it looks good(so do i). If more people were like him the world wouldn't be a completely monotonous place filled with conformists.

More power to ya man!

Keep me updated those blocks look really cool!

too bad so many people conform to society and choose PCs