Three dimensional model tree by laser cutting

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to a model fabricated from a process involving obtaining a reverse image of a silhouette of a figure, wherein the reverse image is defined by a light area bordered by dark area; transferring the reverse image to a template having borders defined by the light and dark areas; overlaying the template on a veneer to mask portions thereof; using a laser cut technique around the template to carve out a pattern from the veneer that duplicates the silhouette; and separating the pattern from the veneer.
The silhouette may be created by marking an outline of a figure on a substrate and shading in portions of the outline to obtain the silhouette of the figure defined by a dark area bordered by a light area.
Moreover, each pattern may optionally be utilized as a foliage disk, a plurality of which may be assembled and attached to an imitation trunk.
In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides that the figure resemble leaves on a tree, hedges, or any form of plant life.
These "foliage disks" as they are called can be stacked on a dowel, simulating the tree trunk, and then placed in a model scene.
In the preferred embodiment, the model scene is an architectural diorama.
The foliage disks may be interconnected and "nested" on a single panel at the initial drawing stage.
Later on in the process, nesting the foliage disks leads to conservation of the veneer sheet, less wasted material, high production capacity, and improved laser cutting efficiency.
The present invention allows various veneers and sheet materials to be used depending upon application.
Also, the trunks are preferably made from interconnecting dowels that may be cut to different lengths depending on the scale of the model.
Center holes are provided in the foliage disks to facilitate quick and easy assembly to the trunk.
In one alternative embodiment, the foliage disks may be designed and drawn in a rectangular format so as to represent hedges.
These may be bent or folded to impart a three-dimensional depth thereto, and of course, a dowel is not necessary in this instance