Sometimes a line drawing works better than a photo

**brucep** · 08-06-2008, 01:03 PM

I illustrate most of my graphics with photos, but sometimes a line drawing gives a more appropriate effect, so I just turn one of my photos into a line drawing in Photoshop.

Chimney Rock Winery, Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, CA

C&C welcome as always.

**KathysPix** · 08-06-2008, 01:40 PM

That is really cool, Bruce. Like the computer itself, I'm betting most of us rarely use more than 10 - 20% of PS's capacity.

**Skippy** · 08-07-2008, 05:48 AM

What a great storybook illustration. Will have to try that sometime. How long did it take you to do that?

Skippy

**panthrcat** · 08-07-2008, 08:52 PM

wow great job here!!!

**brucep** · 08-07-2008, 09:33 PM

It's as fast as Filter/Blur/Smart Blur... Quality: High; Mode: Edge Only, Control (Command)-I. Not long, huh?

I've found that if I have areas which are too dark or too light, I can do it again with different Radius and Threshold adjustments to compensate in those areas, then I shift-drag my new version on top of the previous one, then I just use a layer mask to hide/reveal what I want to show through from the previous version.

The building shown is classic Cape Dutch architecture. The entry door (beneath the transom) gives an idea of the scale of the building (the windows don't give it a proper sense of scale).

**panthrcat** · 08-07-2008, 09:50 PM

very cool effect! I just tried it with your instructions, and it's not bad!! although plenty of room for improvement, but what a neat effect!! thanks bruce!

**mishlove** · 08-08-2008, 04:50 AM

Very nice. I thought I recognized the architectural style as Cape Dutch having grown up (and worked) in and around the Cape Town SA area.

Cheers

**Skippy** · 08-08-2008, 06:24 AM

Thanks Bruce. I tried the directions and they are so easy. That is not the tool I would have looked for to get this effect. Discovered the Control I on a colored flower. Wow! now it is really different.

Skippy

**KathysPix** · 08-08-2008, 10:16 AM

Neat! I tried it, too. It's going to take some experimenting on types of subjects (not just buildings.)

Question: Radius? Threshold?

"Control Minus I" took me a minute to figure out. After applying the filter, this is to Invert the filter result.

**brucep** · 08-08-2008, 01:54 PM

A Radius of 5 and a Threshold of 30 is an OK place to start, but you can see what you're getting (drag the preview frame to any critical part of the image) in reverse in the dialog box, so vary those settings as desired.

Yes, when you see control-i, it means hold control and press the "i" key... you got it.