photo into line drawing in Photoshop

[PeteAnd226395440xnf]

Hi

What is the simplest way to convert a photo or other image into a line drawing which I can feed into a vinyl cutter so the cutter can cut on the lines? I'm using PS Classic. Thanks

[Derek Cross]

PS Classic?

It depends on the original image – can you post an example?

If it was a figure you wanted outlined you could (maybe) use Select > Subject, then Select > Modify > Expand to move the selection. away from the edge of the image, then you could Stroke the selection with a black line to make a keyline.

[PeteAnd226395440xnf]

Hi Derek

Thanks for your reply, Sorry, meant I'm using Lightroom Classic with Photoshop 2022.

What you suggest gives me an outline. Now I need to make a cut line on every feather. The task is to make a mask to lay on glass for sandblasting.

[Derek Cross]

You could do that with the Photoshop Pen tool to make the selections, but it would take a bit of practice to learn how to use the Pen tool and then some timeto do each feather, but that would be a way forward.

You could download the seven-day trial version of Illustrator, if you wanted to try Jane's excellent suggestion. Here's an Illustrator tutorial which may help: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o55iTc4B90g

[jane-e]

The most efficient way to convert a line drawing to vector for a vinyl cutter is to use the Image Trace button and panel in Adobe Illustrator (not Photoshop).

https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/image-trace-results-optimization.html

What do you mean by "Photoshop Classic"? Can you go to Help > About and give us a version number?

Jane

[PeteAnd226395440xnf]

Hi Jane

Thanks foer your reply. Unfortunately I don't have Illustrator. I'm using Photoshop 2022 which comes with Lightroom Classic. Sorry for confusion. 

[Stephen Marsh]

Ensure that the canvas size is correct for the vinyl cut size.

You could try Select > Select Subject

Then Paths panel, Make work path as a starter... But if you need accuracy to the image, then it is best to draw the path from scratch as you will likely waste more time trying to make the converted path a better fit.

File > Export > Paths to Illustrator can save out the vector path.