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How can I convert a photo to line art?

Using Adobe® Photoshop®, a photograph can be converted to a line drawing. This technique does not work on all photos but you won't know the results until you try.

Original to Photo as line art

  • Duplicate layerOpen your photo in Photoshop
  • Duplicate the background layer
    • Choose Duplicate layer from the palette menu or
    • Drag the background layer onto the Create a New Layer icon
    • Bottom of palette, second icon from right
  • Press D to change the foreground color to black
  • Go to Filter > Other > High Pass
    • Select a small radius
    • Try different sizes until you get the effect you want
    • You should barely be able to see the drawing for the best effect

High pass filter

  • Go to Filter > Sketch > Note Paper
  • Use these settings:
    • Image Balance: 25 (experiment with this value)
    • Graininess: 0
    • Relief: 0

Note paper filter

Gray lines

  • Change the gray lines to black
  • Go to Image > Adjustments > Threshold
  • Move the slider to the right until you can see the drawing
  • Try 180

adjust threshold 

Line drawing


 
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