Trying to outline a picture in Photoshop or Canva? Well, it’s very easy to do it. You just need to follow a few steps and you are good to go with your image.
In this article, you will learn about how to make an outline of a picture in photoshop like a pro. We’ve included both offline and online methods. So, read along to know the steps and start your first photo editing project.
Before You Start
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You might want a change or edit a picture using Photoshop. But most of us try to avoid making it visible that it’s edited. Therefore, it’s very important to focus on the details and prepare the picture before you start applying filters.
As pictures are different, you need to adjust the filters, blur and layer accordingly. This is very important when you want to outline an image.
How do I outline an image in paint?
To include an object in the photograph, click the “Select” tool and draw an outline around it. Apply Paint. To include an object in the photograph, click the “Select” tool and draw an outline around it.
Different Aspects to Outline a Picture through Photoshop
You can outline a picture with the “Stroke” and “Layer Style Panel” options in photoshop. When you use these tools, you just need a few clicks.
3 Steps to outline a picture are:
- First, double click so that the “Layer Style Panel” option opens
- Choose “Stroke” style and select type “Outside.”
- Now, you can change the width and colour of the picture that you want to outline.
Here are different aspects to outline a picture:
- Edge of a Picture
- Cutout Image
- Picture with Many Colors
- Add a Gradient
- Picture with Texture
Outline an Edge of a Picture
The first way is to outline an entire image. In such cases, you can create an effect of the entire image instead of a particular area. You should know that this is an easy method that requires no selection. So, you just need a few clicks to get your work done.
Step-by-Step Process
The steps are as follows:
- First, duplicate your picture using “Ctrl + J” in Windows and “Cmnd + J” in Mac. This will help in the future if you mess up the image.
- Then, double click to open the “Layer Style Panel” option.
- Next, you should choose “Stroke” as “Inside.” Also, make sure that the opacity is 100%.
- Change the “Fill Type” into “Color.” You may choose the color that you prefer.
- Now, adjust your stroke sizes with the size slider. This completely depends on you.
- Finally, your outlined image is ready.
Outline a Cutout Image
Sometimes, you might outline a specific part rather than change the whole picture. You can follow these few steps given below.
Step-by-Step Process
In this section, you will require some knowledge of the tools. Let’s look into the step-by-step process:
- First, select “Object Selection Tool” or “Quick Selection Tool” from the toolbar or press “W.” The option name would vary on the version you use.
- Change the “mode” to “rectangle.”
- Make sure to tick the ‘Object Substract’ and ‘Enhance Edge.”
- Select the picture, then click and drag it out from the rectangular section. You will see the image fits the box.
- In case it has a solid background, you select “Select Subject.”
- Now, duplicate your picture using “Ctrl + J” in Windows and “Cmnd + J” in Mac
- Then, double click to open the “Layer Style Panel” option
- Next, you should change the “Stroke” to “Outside.” Make sure the opacity is 100%.
- Change the “Fill Type” into “Color.” You may choose the colour that you prefer.
- Now, adjust your stroke sizes with the size slider.
- Finally, your image is outlined.
Outline a Picture with Many Colors
Some people outline a picture with many colors to spice up the image. After completing the original image outlining, this would just take a few seconds.
Step-by-Step Process
The steps are:
- After you complete the first stroke, you can move into adding another color
- In the “stroke” option, click on the “+” sign from the “Layer Style Panel.”
- Immediately, the option will come where you can start changing. Make sure the other settings are the same except for size value and color.
- You may choose the second stroke larger in size than the first stroke. This would allow visualizing both the colors properly.
- You can repeat the steps if you want to have more colors in the picture.
Outline an Add a Gradient
Bringing a gradient to your picture would make your picture better. Let’s look into how to do it.
Step-by-Step Process
The steps are as follows:
- First, change the “Fill Type” to “Gradient” from the “Layer Style Panel.”
- Now, you’ll see a “Gradient Editor” box
- You may make the gradient according to your preference
- Select “color swatches,” and you’ll start seeing a preview. Along with the preview, you can change it using the ‘color picker.’
- You can also select colors from the present gradient options.
- Then, start rotating the angles through the gradient angle. You will find the gradient automatically changing.
- However, you can also customize the transitions to soft or hard. On large scales, the transition is smooth and vice versa.
- Finally, change the gradient type to ‘Linear.’
Outline a Picture with Texture
You can outline a picture by creating a pattern or texture. You need to process this step after you complete the first outline.
Step-by-Step Process
- Create your initial outline
- Change ‘Fill Type’ to ‘Pattern.’
- You will get access to new patterns. Just download and use them.
- Then, adjust your angles if you need. This would help to line up the pattern properly.
- Finally, set your pattern scale accordingly
- The image is ready with texture outlining.
How to Make an Outline of a Picture through Canva?
Like using photoshop, it is also very easy to outline a picture in Canva. However, there are a few steps that you need to follow to get the perfect outlining.
The steps are:
- Import a picture from the Uploads tab or choose an image from the gallery.
- Next, you need to remove the background.
- Then, duplicate this image.
- On the duplicate picture, add a Duotone effect.
- You should blur it to add a glowing effect.
- Finally, position 1st and 2nd images together.
Also, you can add a glowing outline through different apps. You just need to find the “glow effect” option and upload a picture that needs the glowing outline. After using those apps, you can upload the picture in Canva.
In case you need a white outline, you have to choose the “Shadows” option in the “Edit” section and click “Glow.” Then, you have to adjust transparency, blurriness and color. Finally, click on the “apply” option to get the perfect picture.
There are 4 different ways to outline a picture:
- Creating simple outline
- Adding a glowing outline
- Adding a glowing outline through different apps
- Creating a white outline.
How do you outline text?
- Choose your text or WordArt in step 1.
- Select Text Effects under Home.
- Select the desired effect. Point to Outline, Shadow, Reflection, or Glow for more options, and then click the desired effect.
Final Verdict
It is very easy to make an outline of a picture through “Layer Style Panel” and “Stroke.” Also, you can easily adjust different sizes by following the steps properly. Additionally, you can add different effects through the patterns, multiple strokes, and gradient options.
You can follow this video:
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I turn a picture into an outline?
You can easily turn a picture into an outline with 3 easy steps. First, double-click to open the “Layer Style Panel” option. Then, choose “Stroke” style and select type “Outside.” Finally, you can change the width and color of the picture that you want to outline.
Is there an app that turns pictures into line drawings?
Yes, many apps can turn pictures into line drawings. You can bring out different artistic styles in your image when you use such apps.
How can I turn a photo into a line drawing?
You can turn a photo into a line drawing with 7 easy steps. First, adjust your picture’s contrast and set the layers. Then, change the picture to grayscale. After this step, you have to convert it again to a line drawing. Now, you need to choose your foreground and background colors. You should do a pencil shading for better results. Finally, edit with the cross-hatching effect.
How do I turn a photo into a pencil sketch?
First, duplicate your image with “Ctrl + J” in Windows and “Cmnd + J” in Mac. Then, select “Color Dodge” from the “Layers” option. Next, move to the “Image” option, and from “Adjustments,” select “Invert.”
Now, you select “Blur” and “Gaussian Blur” from the “Filter” option. Change the radiant accordingly. At the corner, you will get “Hue/ Saturation” again. Finally, customize the saturation.
How do you outline pictures on Picsart?
You can outline pictures on Picsart with just effects and filters. However, you can go through some easy steps to make your picture more interesting.