The article below compares different tools for laser engraving.
ImagR puts a paywall on almost everything 3 images per day and then $15/month so it gets expensive fast if you engrave regularly.
DithX does the same photo‑prep job for free, with no limits and no account needed.
Article:
Free tool:
Small user group for examples/help:
Hi @Andre999
That’s a useful comparison, and DithX may well be helpful for people who want a separate browser-based photo-prep tool.
As the article itself mentions, LightBurn already includes image-processing and dithering options, so depending on the workflow, many users may not need an external tool for this.
I’d also read the article as a vendor perspective rather than a fully neutral comparison, since it’s hosted by Atomm and includes Atomm’s own tools/ecosystem in the roundup.
Thanks for the reply and yes, that’s exactly why I shared it.
DithX is meant to be a simple, free, browser‑based photo‑prep tool for anyone who prefers doing that step outside of their main workflow. It’s made for the community, and it will stay free.
What stood out to me is that Atomm themselves placed DithX above their own browser tool in the comparison.
That says something, and I think the DithX team can be proud of that.
For people who like preparing a photo separately, DithX is just another option without cost, limits.
I was watching some videos of professional photographers editing Raw b/w images and the results were transformative to say the least. It got me thinking that the saying “Garbage in garbage out” still holds true…Or maybe “You (Ai) can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear” would be a kinder way of putting it.
Doesn’t it all come down to the original image quality in terms of artistic view and detailed focus through the lense..and then creative editing.
Is the benefit of Ai prep for laser all about managing relative contrast with an understanding of the limited colour range of material and Pwm.
It is more than that. We are trying reproduce a greyscale image (color included) that has various degrees of intensity with a simple on-off device. Even before A.I. was doing its dog and pony show, some people were getting amazing results. A.I. is just taking advantage of more computing power, nothing more.
Great! That brought some clarity and a new direction of research. To put it in context: I purchased a twelve year old Nikon d610 (full frame) and a 50mm 1.8G lenses to create my own images and then I downloaded ‘Darktable’ to process RAW files. This is all in the endeavour of achieving Micro-contrast in the image - Optimised for laser and material.
The UI in darktable is a multi-choice of modules that are meant to be selected and ordered according to a certain workflow. It’s UI is a bit of a blur of options right now…as is most any UI at first glance, so I thought I’d simplify the process by figuring out what I don’t need.
Low and behold, it turns out that in my use case, only a few modules are necessary due to the fact that Lightburn tools take care of so many of the tasks involved.
So, only a few months more of chopping wood and carrying water till some degree of competence is reached with Darktable and we’ll see.
I have a Petri FTX, 50MM, F1.8, Freshnell focus, I am trying to sell. I bought it originally for my 8" telescope because split-image focusing won’t work on stars. Unfortunately telescope owners now use Raspberry Pi cameras or the likes.
Considering 25-30 megapixel approaches 35mm film resolution, why did you purchase a film camera?
It’s a digital Full frame sensor (24.3 mega pixel) excellent dynamic range and low light sensitivity. Quite possibly massive overkill in terms of portability and buttons but I couldn’t find anything comparable in a smaller body and price.
It’s only job is pics for lasering and I’m hoping the micro contrast in Raw works to my expectations…otherwise I should have bought a new chainsaw!
Did you even look at DithX terms of service and conditions?
It’s 14 pages long and in using any part of the software it constitutes acceptance of the terms of service and conditions. This include some other piece of software not necessarily related. You are legally bound by ALL of this. You can’t take them to court, that’s forbidden in the terms of service. I assume you can go to some kind of arbitration, but it says you can’t take them to court.
They keep referring to To the fullest extent permitted by law multiple times… If their software erases your machine, you’ve signed away your ability to even confront them, they don’t even mention arbitration.
It really isn’t free, as my email and username have monetary worth.
Sorry, I’m not going to give them any of my information, not after a quick read over a few pages.
No telling what else they have in the remaining 12 pages… You could have agreed to a document that DithX owns your first newborn. 
Since it’s free and they advise it isn’t permanent, I think you’re gambling to see how long it survives. Businesses that have costs are not free to everyone, excluding government resources. I don’t expect it to last long… we’ll have to see
Of course, this is my opinion. 
My hope is that everyone can convert their images completely for free, without any hassle.
No paywall, nothing and I’m proud of that.
I’m sponsored by a laser company, and they cover the server costs, which I think is incredibly generous.
I’m just a simple guy, and being compared to the big software names and even coming out on top is something I never imagined.
It shows that when you give something to people with love, you get rewarded. And I’ll keep doing that.
Free is and will always stay free.
People, be smart.
Don’t pay for anything you don’t have to enjoy it for free.
The number of flags on this thread is unusual.
This may require a more thorough review.
We’ll be discussing this shortly.
I have unlisted the topic pending review.
One of the issues is that the terms of service it states on the introductory, page 1 it states…
By accessing or using any part of the application, the user unconditionally and irrevocably agrees to be bound by the entirety of these terms.
Added to this statement
The Operator reserves the right to amend, supplement, or delete these terms, including all parts of the legal disclaimer, privacy statement, and terms of use, at any time and without prior notice.
If all of a sudden it’s price goes to $15/month, you can’t get out of a unconditionally and irrevocable agreement, it’s a lifetime agreement.
You need to take the time to read this stuff, you life could be upended by these kinds of agreements.
I would never agree to this or recommend it’s use to anyone else.
[admin edit]
I think @Andre999 should have a chat with the people who own the site.
As a word of warning, don’t just click through these without determining what you’re getting yourself into as these are considered legal documents. Anything that has unconditional and irrevocable I steer clear of.
Take care.
I honestly don’t understand where your distrust comes from, but alright you seem very worried about something that isn’t actually happening.
All I want to offer people is a free tool where everyone can do their own thing, in their own way, and be responsible for their own results.
Believe it or not, my goal is simply to make the world a little better.
And I truly believe that change starts with yourself.
That’s why I began this project 3.5 years ago, and why I care so much about the laser community.
This is my contribution a small way to make this complicated world just a bit easier for others, without ever thinking about money or negativity.
That’s my opinion.
Post locked pending review.
I definitely, believe you… that’s not the issue.
Who’s paying for the site and it’s other legal details? You can’t possibly guarantee they won’t come along later and start charging, if so they wouldn’t have such a legally worded contract advising you you’re committed once you use the software and the commitment is not revocable.
I really believe, you’re here to help, but I’ve seen so many people and companies that have gotten burnt signing these kinds of agreements.
Have you spoken to them about it?
I won’t sign anything like this, I would hope others would read these before they regretted it.
One of the insurance companies in Arizona wouldn’t pay for a type of cancer that some firefighters end up with. It boils down to a comma in the states legislation. They just recently re-wrote the statute to include the comma.
Partially from the fact that you’re using the 3rd person (they, the team) and didn’t immediately mention it’s your own product, and then flagged everything in the thread that was genuine discussion of image engraving if it was unrelated to DithX. We call that advertising, and it’s not allowed here.