... Lasers also have the ability to go at different depths. I would imagine other more specialized lasers have the ability to move the laser in a 3-dimensional space to carve out an image like the second link you provided above.
All one would need to do is provide the 3dimensional vector image to the system and it would do something as complex as the second link.
Then again that last part I am just guessing as I have not used a 3d laser (if it exists).
From what I gather from the photos you posted above it seems to me (from what I can see) that your piece looks more like this
http://i.imgur.com/CoDNGQm.jpg than this
http://i.imgur.com/CoDNGQm.jpgIf I am not mistaken it does look a bit flat from the pictures. Could you elaborate to me how it is not like the first link I pasted above?
Lasers also have the ability to go at different depths. I would imagine other more specialized lasers have the ability to move the laser in a 3-dimensional space to carve out an image like the second link you provided above.
All one would need to do is provide the 3dimensional vector image to the system and it would do something as complex as the second link.
Then again that last part I am just guessing as I have not used a 3d laser (if it exists).
Just saw this, and thought I would input as I use these devices all the time (and own a 3d printer & CNC machine with solid state laser attachment etc).
3D laser cutter: Whilst this is technically possible, it would cost an obscene amount of money as the focal length of the laser would constantly change. In order to accurately cut something the laser needs to be accurately focused (within 10 microns for most), and constantly changing topography would make that hard, but possible. I say possible, but the length of time would be extremely long as the device would have to poll the focus at every point...
... which leads onto my next point. CNC. You can get 2, 3,4,5, & 6 axis CNC machines which do exactly as you describe, at a somewhat faster rate as well as it's not bothered by a focus length. I own a CNC machine so I can make topological site models with accurate contour representation which then have architectural models placed in the appropriate place (we call this 'context').