How To Outline An Image In Photoshop Cc

In this article, y'all volition acquire how to create an outline or multiple outlines around a subject or shape within Photoshop. You will also learn how to convert a solid shape or a complex drawing like a cartoon character, into just its outlines.

These steps are really handy for creating posters, interesting elements for your video project or just for creating your own badges, icons or logos.

So let's jump right in and start learning!

Add a Simple Outline Around a Subject area in Photoshop

1. Open up your image in Photoshop.

2. Press CTRL+J (CMD+J on Mac) to indistinguishable the layer.

iii. Make a selection around the subject area that you want to outline. On the latest version of Photoshop, you but curlicue down on the Backdrop panel and click on the button that says 'Select Subject'. This is a one-click method that will quickly create a choice around any obvious subject in your prototype. This might not work on the prototype that you have or you might take an older version of Photoshop. In that case, you should select your subject manually using any of the pick tools such equally the polygon or magnetic lasso tool.

four. Once yous are done selecting your subject, y'all can refine your selection using the select and mask special workspace inside Photoshop. The button to access this workspace appears on the toolbar as soon every bit you brand a option using any tool. For a detailed guide on how to employ this special workspace, check out my hair selection guide.

5. After yous accept finalized your selection to your satisfaction, make sure your working layer is selected and click on the layer mask icon at the bottom of the layers panel (rectangle with a circle inside it). This creates a layer mask out of your pick and cuts out the subject area from the epitome and hides the rest of the image. You lot can double-cheque this by turning off the original layer and viewing only the masked layer. You can click on the 'eye' icon beside any layer to toggle its visibility.

6. You can also create a layer mask from the select and mask special workspace past selecting 'layer mask' in the 'output to' drop-downward menu that is found at the bottom of the panel.

vii. Now double click on your masked layer to bring up the layer style panel. Hither, bank check the 'stroke' option and tweak the color, size (thickness), and other options to gustatory modality.

eight. Brand sure the 'position' option is set to 'outside' so that the outline doesn't eat into your epitome.

And y'all are done! Your bailiwick is now surrounded by an outline that emphasizes them in the epitome. Y'all can tweak the stroke size, color, and other options incessantly till you are satisfied.

Add Multiple Outlines to An Image Inside Photoshop

1. Go back to the layer style panel by double-clicking on your masked layer.

2. Click on the piddling plus icon abreast the Stroke option to add another stroke layer to the layer style. You might not run into any difference initially because the new stroke layer is an exact copy of the previous ane and is hidden underneath it.

3. Change the colour and the size of the new ane to be different from the previous one. The size of the new i has to exist larger or yous have to make the previous stroke size smaller to see the new stroke layer that you have merely added.

4. You can add together progressively more than strokes effectually your field of study now by clicking on the + icon to add more and increasing the size and also changing the color each time.

Now you know how to create multiple outlines in Photoshop effectually whatever shape or prototype.

Make an Outline In Photoshop Around The Entire Epitome

To create an outline effectually the entire epitome, also known equally a frame, you can simply double click on the layer you desire to frame to bring up the layer style options (without making a selection first).

At present simply check the stroke pick as described in the steps above. Become through tweaking the options to make it wait just the way you want. Add more stroke layers if you want multiple frames effectually the prototype.

Just make certain that yous have set the position choice to 'inside' this fourth dimension. Otherwise, the stroke will exist subconscious by the canvas and it won't show upward. This is a good way to frame an image using Photoshop using the specific color and thickness that yous want.

Convert An Image Into But The Outlines

1. To convert elementary images like a cartoon character or a logo into simply the outlines, such as what you lot would see in a coloring book, start by opening the prototype in Photoshop.

2. Now become to Image and select Grayscale by going to Image –> Mode –> Grayscale. Information technology might inquire for confirmation for discarding color information. Click on 'Discard'.

iii. Next, make a copy of the layer past pressing CTRL+J (CMD+J on Mac).

4. On the acme layer, click on the blend mode drib-down carte du jour and select the color contrivance or linear dodge (add together) option. You volition see that the epitome now looks like a unproblematic black and white (and gray) outline of its original self.

5. At present select both the layers and correct-click. Select the 'merge layers' option on the carte that comes up. Now yous have a flat prototype to piece of work with.

six. Use the 'background eraser' tool to selectively delete parts of the prototype to go far transparent. Get around clicking on solid areas to make them disappear.

vii. If you are working on an image with shading and gradients, it is best to employ the levels tool (CTRL+L or CMD+L on Mac) to make the lines and areas solid and loftier in contrast earlier erasing.

This process only works with images that already have an outline. To plough a solid shape into an outline, follow the steps below.

Convert a Solid Shape Into Its Outline

1. Open up the shape image in Photoshop.

ii. Doubleclick on the layer to alter information technology into a layer that tin can exist edited.

iii. Employ the choice tool to cut out the shape that y'all desire to convert. Alternatively, if it is on a simple solid color background, employ the background eraser tool to clear out the background completely.

iv. Now double click on the layer to bring upward the layer fashion panel.

5. Check the stroke option and set the position to 'inside' to create an outline around the inside of the shape. Change the color of the stroke to black or white as applicable to achieve maximum contrast with the image.

half dozen. Click OK to apply the stroke effect.

7. Now right-click on your layer and click the 'Rasterize Layer Style' option.

8. Next, use the background eraser tool once more to erase the color from inside the outline. This will give you a transparent image with simply the outline.

nine. Alternatively, use the levels tool by pressing CTRL+L (CMD+Fifty on Mac) to change the colors into high contrast black and white. You tin as well utilize the 'Grayscale' mode selection first and and then change the levels.

10. You can now go alee identify a new background or leave information technology equally it is.

Conclusion

And then there y'all take information technology. A super-easy fashion to modify any solid shape into its outline. Remember that this technique works all-time with simple shapes. You can too apply this to circuitous shapes by creating a proper cutout first using the select and mask workflow.

I hope I was able to answer all the questions y'all accept regarding creating outlines in Photoshop.

If yous yet have questions or need more help, don't hesitate to leave a comment below or attain out to me on Instagram. I answer all the comments and letters I get and I promise to endeavour my best to help you out.

Tom Shu

Hi! I'm a Washington State-based professional lensman and filmmaker. I quit my corporate task in 2018 to pursue this passion total-time and have been lucky enough to work on projects all over the world with brands such as Visa, Airbnb, and prAna. Here are examples of the work nosotros practice in case you're wondering. My goal with all these articles is to help you out, then if you e'er accept any questions only send me an email at [electronic mail protected], DM me at my Instagram @tom.shu or exit a comment on any of the articles!