Getting a good outline

[Mettaphorica]

Hi all
I am new to PSP. I am artist, and use it to modify images for drawing. One of the things that I'm trying to do is create a strong image outline so that I can then trace this onto my paper-saves doing it over the photo myself, and also I can print an outline straight from the computer; don't always have to work from prints.

I have found the "Trace Contour" tool, but am wondering from there, is there any way of darkening the lines, or include more detail? Also, is there a way to pixelate an image to the point where you can see only the main colors used, not the image itself?
thanks
cheers
Donna

[LeviFiction]

http://www.the-graphics-tablet.com/pain ... e-art.html

That's a very basic idea of one of the many options for doing a line-art version of a photograph.

As for pixilating for only the "main" colors of an image. I'm not overly familiar with the pixilation options though maybe a stain-glass window effect might narrow down the color differences enough for you. I'm just really not sure.

[wds937]

One of the things that I'm trying to do is create a strong image outline ... I have found the "Trace Contour" tool, but am wondering from there, is there any way of darkening the lines, or include more detail?

To darken the lines, first proceed as you suggested: Effects > Edge Effects > Trace Contour. Then, do Effects > Edge Effects > Find All. Depending on the particular subject, you may want to repeat the Find All portion of this (use the Ctrl Y shortcut).

To do something similar, retaining more detail, try Effects > Edge Effects > User Defined Filter...; then select Find all edges (legacy), and click OK. Follow this with Image > Negative Image; then Adjust > Brightness and Contrast > Threshold..., leave the Threshold value at 128, and click OK; and finally, Effects > Edge Effects > Find All.

...is there a way to pixelate an image to the point where you can see only the main colors used

You can use Effects > Distortion Effects > Pixelate..., and then experiment with various settings, but I'm not sure this will achieve the purpose of seeing only the main colors. Instead, try Image > Decrease Color Depth > 16 Color palette...; experiment with the settings and then click OK.

Hopefully, you will find some of these ideas to be useful. If not, they may give you other ideas for further experimentation.

[teknisyan]

You can try converting the photo as a line-art.. you can then just adjust the size or strength of the line.

You can find the tutorial that I created at http://abielonline.blogspot.com/2009/10 ... photo.html

The steps is for PSP X2 ult but you can still apply it on PSP X3, and X3.

Ok.. it looks like the same tutorial that Levi posted..