Snagit Learning Center

Snagit 9 Tutorial:

Create Black and White Line Art from a Photograph

Creating line art from a photograph removes all of the color and some of the details from the image leaving just a pen and ink style outline of the image. Why would you want to do that? Well, you can use line art images for watermarks, logos, Snagit stamps, and more. Below you will see a photo changed into a line art image along with some examples of how you might use line art.

About this Project

• This tutorial will teach you how to use Snagit Editor to create a line art image from a photograph. You will also learn how to save your line art as a transparent GIF file that will be loaded into the Snagit Stamps Quick Styles gallery.
• Estimated time to complete this tutorial is 15 minutes.
• This tutorial does not demonstrate how to take a screen capture. To learn how to do this, see the Snagit online help.

What you Need to Get Started

You need the following to successfully complete this tutorial.

• Snagit 9.0. If you do not have Snagit 9.0, you can download a copy here.
• A photographic image open within Snagit Editor. Your photo needs good solid lines and a fair amount of detail in it.

Skill Level: Intermediate

This tutorial is suitable for intermediate users of Snagit. Knowledge of using the ribbon tabs and saving files within Editor is also required.

Let's Get Started: Creating a Line Art Image

The following section takes you through this tutorial step-by-step. To be successful, do not skip any steps.

This is the image used in this tutorial.

Apply the Embossing Effect

1. In the Image tab, select Modify group > Filters button > Emboss. The Emboss dialog box appears.
2. Experiment with both the Depth and Direction options to find the settings that give you the most raised detail. You want your image to look like this:
   
3. When the desired effect is achieved, click Close.

Apply Intensity Detect Effect

1. In the Image tab, select Modify group > Color Effects button > Intensity Detect. The Intensity Detect dialog box appears.
2. Experiment with both the Low and High options to find the settings that give you the best solid outlines.
   
3. Click Close.

Use the Eraser to Clean Up

1. In the Draw tab, select Drawing Tools group > Eraser button.
2. Use the eraser tool to clean up any unwanted areas or to remove lingering spots or speckling.
   

Reduce Color Depth & Apply Transparency

1. In the Image tab, select Modify group > Color effects button > Color Depth.
2. In the Colors dropdown menu, choose 2 colors (1-bit).
3. Click Close.
4. In the Image tab, select Modify group > Color effects button > Transparent Color. The Transparent Color dialog box appears.
5. Enable Use transparent color option.
6. Click the Eyedropper tool.
7. On the canvas, click on the white color. This will turn all of the white to transparent when the image is saved.
8. Click Close.
9. Select Snagit Button > Save As > Save as Type > GIF. Enter a name and location and click Save.
10. Close the image within Editor.

Add to Quick Styles Gallery as a Stamp

1. In the Draw tab, select Drawing Tools group > Stamp tool.
2. In the Draw tab, select Styles group > click the More button.
   
3. At the bottom of the gallery, click Organize Stamps. The Organize Stamps dialog box appears.
4. Click the Add button.
   
5. Browse and select the GIF image you just saved.
6. Click Close. The transparent line art image will now be available in the Stamp Quick Styles Gallery.

Congratulations! You have just learned how to create a line art graphic from a photograph. Here’s an example of how we used our line art: