Non traditional modeling for CNC carving solid bodied electric guitars

For those who operate a CNC to carve their bodies, how do you come up with the pattern? I'm sure there are plenty who are very apt towards 3D modeling the curved shaped, but I want to hear about some of the more esoteric methods.

I've been designing depth maps and converting those into relief cuts. It's not a perfect method but it works.

http://imgur.com/a/0TnU9

So what all quirky toolchains have the machine-assisted carvers developed?