[[GDC]_Polemarcus]

Ok, imagine taking an orgainc form... for example lets just say half the shell of a peanut. You then model that form using NURBS and/or primative solids in a 3D modeling program like AutoCAD, Bryce, TrueForm, 3DMax, Rhino etc...

When you done with it, you open it up in a CAD/CAM 3D production modeling program called Rhino. within that program you execute a few simple commands which will draw the contour lines of your object at any specified interal. When you have all the contour lines, you save them off as .dxf files and open them up in autocad. Assign color/layer properties to them depending on the intensity at which you want the laser to cut the material. (ie. red = 100% power where a blue color might mean 10%. anything less than 100% results in "scoring the object")

Once your autocad file is ready, you place your materal under the laser cutter and hit File -> Print. The laser starts, and cuts out all of the contoured pieces. Then you basically have a 3D puzzle. When you assemble it you will have an actual physical object of what you modeled. You can actually pick it up and touch it... Use it as a formwork for plaster, acrylic etc... or just a regular paper weight Ill see if i can find some images of the results.