How to Digitize a Photo

I like to create patterns for carving from digital photos..  The program that I use is called: "Paint Shop Pro". The version that I use may be different than what you might be using but the idea is the same. After getting your photo into a digital format and on the computer, display it with Paint Shop. I always work at 300 DPI resolution so make sure that what ever resolution you use, it is consistent.  Suppose I want to create a pattern of a house for a relief carving.

The method to be used involves overlaying the photo with a blank image, varying the transparency of the overlay to allow the photo to shine through and then to draw lines on the overlay, outlining the image.  The last step will be to get rid of the original image leaving only the overlay.


The first thing to do is to find out exactly how big your image is in terms of pixels. To do this by:

1. Click on IMAGE, then on RESIZE
2. Click on PERCENTAGE OF ORIGINAL and make sure it is 100% displayed above it is the pixel size. Record or remember the width and height.
3. Now create a blank image the same size as the original and overlay on the image.
4. Click on FILE and then on NEW. Enter the height and width numbers. Next,overlay this blank image over the original by doing the following.
5. Make sure the blank image is active, then click on EDIT and then COPY get rid of the blank image (click on x) for it has served its purpose.
6. With the image displayed (and active) click on EDIT and then Paste and then AS NEW LAYER.

The original image will be completely covered up.  By varying the transparency of the overlay the original image will appear.  You may have to display the Layer Palette if it is not displayed at this time. Do this by

1. Click on View and then TOOL BARS
2. Click on LAYER PALETTE making sure the check mark is displayed.

You will see a second menu pop up immediately.  Now get rid of the Tool bar menu

Your artwork now consists of two layers, the original and the blank layer. You will see two numbers on the Layer Palette. They should be at this stage 100. To the right of the top number will be slider.

1. Click on the slider and while holding down the button, move it to the left. Immediately the top number will change. Set it to about 50 or whatever allows you to see the original image clear enough to work with.
2. Now you are all set to create your design but drawing on the top overlay. You do this by using a series of straight lines or by using the paint brush. You can save your design at any point and come back to it at any time as long as you save it in the "psp" format. When your design is done and you want to save it without the original artwork showing, just move the slider on the Layer Palette to 100. If you save the artwork in any other format, you lose the ability of interacting with it in this way.



Purpose

This blog is intended to be used by members of the Onondaga Woodcarvers Club to communicate tips and methods for wood carving.