Can someone please tell me how to convert a color image to just an
outline using Corel Graphics Suite Version 11 or any other FREE image
editing software.

I have tried corel trace and Corel Draw's convert to B&W without
success, does not mean they are not suitable, just that I could not do
it

Basically I would like to take an image such as
http://www.nallur.org/NATRAJ.JPG and convert it some something like
http://www.shadicards.com/Insertlogos/Logo2.htm so that it is suitable
for screen printing.

Ideally I would like to do this on Corel 11 GRAPHICS SUITE. Please
include detailed step by step instructions.

If not please recommend a free image editing software with
instructions on how to achieve the desired result.

The result must be solid black lines, with transparent background so
that we can make "screen" for screen printing.

Kindly do note my request for detailed instructions.

Thank you in advance.

---

Request for Question Clarification by feilong-ga on 02 Feb 2004 09:13 PST

Hi Mysite,

I may be able to help you with step-by-step instructions on how to do
it. I'd like to know if you're going to use spot color or 1-color
screen printing -- are you?

Since you're using Draw, are you familiar with Corel Photo-Paint?

Feilong

---

Clarification of Question by mysite-ga on 02 Feb 2004 10:13 PST

Hello

I am not familiar with the terminology of screen printing as we
outsource that part. But I can tell you is that the resulting image
should be just black lines so that they can make a thing that looks
like and X-Ray. ie my image should look like images contained in
http://www.shadicards.com/Insertlogos/Logo2.htm so that they can print
it.

I have used Corel Photo-Paint (not an expert), so feel free to suggest
a solution using Corel Photo-Paint.

Hello Mysite,

Thanks for your reply. From your description, I think you're going to
use 1-color screen printing so the instruction here is specifically
intended for that output. Although we can use the image in the link
that you gave ( http://www.nallur.org/NATRAJ.JPG ) for the
instructions, I'd like to avoid any possible copyright violations
regarding the use of that image so I'll make this a "generic
tutorial." You can use any image you like.

Although I asked about Photo-Paint, the output you need can be done in
Draw alone. Please follow the instructions below:


1) Open CorelDraw and Import the image to the page. To import, press
Ctrl+I. The Import window will appear. Choose the image that you want
and click Import.

2) Select the image. Go to Bitmaps > Mode > Black and White (1-bit)...
 In the Convert to 1 Bit window, go to Conversion and choose Line Art.

You can see on the right window that your image is transformed to the
black and white image that is very similar in the cards shown in the
link that you gave ( http://www.shadicards.com/Insertlogos/Logo2.htm
). You can darken or lighten the image by adjusting the Threshold
value before you click on OK.

If after clicking OK you feel you're not satisfied, you can choose to
undo by pressing Ctrl+Z and repeating step 2 again.

You can change the color of your line art by selecting it and choosing
your desired color using the right mouse button to click on the color.
For the background, use the left mouse button to click.

For better resolution, use high resolution images to convert to line
art especially when you want to enlarge the output.

You can apply the above method to almost any type of image. When you
save, the best format to use for line art is TIFF.


Search Strategy:

Personal knowledge.


I hope this helps you. Should you have any comments/questions, please
feel free to post your clarification before rating this and I'll
attend to you as soon as possible. Thank you for visiting us and I
hope you become a frequent and happy user of Google Answers.

Regards,
Feilong

---

Request for Answer Clarification by mysite-ga on 03 Feb 2004 02:06 PST

Hello Feilong,

Thank you for your time, but as I mentioned in my question "I have
tried corel trace and Corel Draw's convert to B&W without
success". The suggested solution results in a patchy blobs. I am just
interested in having outlines (ignoring the colour/shading on the
original picture). I have seen this done before perhps using the Corel
Photo-Paint. MAYBE using "magic wand mask tool". BASICALLY THE RESULT
SHOULD BE CLEAN CURVED LINES (OUTLINE). Also the near white background
should be transparent.

---

Clarification of Answer by feilong-ga on 05 Feb 2004 06:43 PST

Thanks for making your clarification.

"The suggested solution results in a patchy blobs."

Like I said in the answer, for better resolution, use high resolution
images to convert to line art especially when you want to enlarge the
output.

The patchy blobs is the result of your setting of the Threshhold
and/or the resolution of the image that you are using. If you think
you need to increase or decrease the Threshold value, then please do
so

Also, the reason you need to use high resolution images is to make
sure that when you convert to black and white, the edges of the
picture will be smooth. Once converted, you can then use CorelTrace to
trace the image.

In CorelTrace, you can then trace the image by Outline or Advanced
Outline. Afterwards, you need to save the trace result as .CMX file.
You will then need to use CorelDraw again.

"BASICALLY THE RESULT SHOULD BE CLEAN CURVED LINES"

Remember, the image is not a bitmap file anymore. You have converted
it to a vector image, and as such, you can adjust the outlines, the
thickness, change the color of both the lines and the fill color, add
or remove nodes to produce clean lines and add or remove whatever
details you want in CorelDraw -- especially the patchy blobs.

Throughout this process, you will need to exercise your imagination
and creativity and pass through a bit of trial and error process. You
can also use CorelDraw's tutorial that is included in your software
suite to learn more techniques.

Regards,
Feilong