A few projects

[Xxray]

Got a 8 ft slab of padauk the other day, couldn't wait to try it out. First was this 12 inch cross, then the German shep. This wood is just unreal gorgeous, shapes very well too. As you can see, I use some of the scrap wood to make a base for the cross.
Next, I just got a 1/16th spiral bit, so I thought I'd do something to gauge the level of detail that its capable of. Chose the cross, and its 3 inches, very small. I used my scroll say to cut out a star shape around it ,,, I wanted to cut the cross out within the star, leaving only a couple small connection points ,,, Then cut the star as a frame. The hunk of wood wasn't quite big enough to do that, so I had to settle for this. I used clear coat on Jesus, a light stain on the star, then a dark stain on the cross. All together not happy with the staining, but am satisfied with the detail.
Finally, a couple of Jesus portraits in poplar. Poplar has some pretty wild grain patterns ,,, First one looks marbleish, the other had quite a bit of greenish tint to it.

[esteeme1]

Xxray,

Nice work I like the stain it is a little red though. I know you were using scrap wood on the star but may I suggest, the next one you do cut the excess material to match the depth of the cross.

Please keep sharing.

[Xxray]

No stain on the padauk, just a clear coat.
I think the hue is slightly exaggerated via vibrant camera setting, doesn't look that red to the naked eye.
Not sure what you mean about the base matching the depth of the cross ,,, I cut the hole with a scroll saw, so it goes completely through. I could cut the plug in half and glue it back in so the cross doesn't go down so far. With these, I want a snug fit, but I don't want to secure it permanently to the base, as whoever ends up owning it might just well want to display it on a wall or something.

[esteeme1]

On the 3rd pic you posted you cut with the 1/6th" bit. I was just suggesting that you plane the excess material around the cross to match the depth of cut created by the cross toolpath. I know it was a test piece just making the suggestion in case you didn't think of it.

[MikeUSNRet]

I see what you are saying Jim... it seems as if the cross is pocketed into the surrounding material. Instead of planing the surrounding material down to be the same thickness of the cross, I would actually suggest that you plane it down so the cross is a little proud.

[Xxray]

Well, I'd prefer that the model isn't programmed to have an outline cut around it, unless the user wanted to. I'm sure that there must be a good reason why it is ,,, But since no outline isn't an option, I usually chose to cut them out, either with a cutout pass, or with a scroll saw.

[esteeme1]

Xxray,

Select the model you are working on then in the left hand hand column under drawing options/create Vectors, select the chicken looking icon. It will fit vectors to your working model. After you do this you can select the outside boarder as an example (the star) then create a tool path to cut the depth of the model. That will plane the star down to the botom of the model in this example (the knight).

[Xxray]

I have vector arts free 3d app, if I'm not mistaken, the options you mention are not available.