Creating Vector Silhouettes with Adobe Photoshop
By Tania Metcalf Apr 15, 2009
Silhouettes are everywhere in design. They can be placed in a photo or with other vector art and because they are in vector format, they can be re-sized without losing their quality. Ever wonder how vector silhouettes are created? Learn how with Adobe Photoshop in this easy to follow step-by-step tutorial!
Vector Silhouettes
Silhouettes are everywhere in design. They can be placed in a photo or with other vector art and because they are in vector format, they can be re-sized without losing their quality. Ever wonder how vector silhouettes are created? You're about to learn how in this easy to follow step-by-step tutorial, but first, let's briefly take a look at the differences between vector and rastor images.
Vector vs. Rastor
Vector images are based on anchor points that are anchor points along an image or a freehand shape. That is why the shape doesn't loose quality, the anchor points just adjust and re-draw the line between the points. Rastor images are based on pixels, little dots of color that make up the image. When rastor images are re-sized the pixels either shrink together or pull apart leaving a jagged looking image.
Let's get started!
To download the image used in this tutorial, go to www.sxc.hu and download image number 1066064 (You will need to register before you can download the image.), or you can use one of your own!
Step 1
Open Photoshop and open the image you would like to use.
Step 2
Remove the image from the background layer. Go to Layer > New > Layer from Background. Click OK when the dialogue box comes up.
Step 3
Create a new layer by going to Layer > New > Layer. Click OK when the dialogue box comes up.
Step 4
Select the pen tool. (If you are not very familiar with the pen tool, you can download some practice templates fromhttp://www.sketchpad.net/drawing8.htm.)
Step 5
Make sure the foreground color is set to black and set the shape layer opacity level to 20%. By setting the opacity to 20%, you will be able to see the image below to see where the next anchor point needs to be placed.
Step 6
Zoom in on the portion of the image where you want to start tracing and begin placing anchor points around the object. Complete the shape by coming back to the first anchor. When the Pen Tool is by the first anchor point, the Pen Tool's x will become an o.
Step 7
We want to “cut out” the space between the body and the arm. To do this, select the Pen Tool. In the Options Bar, select Subtract from shape area. Trace around the area that needs to be “cut out.”
Step 8
Bring the opacity level back up to 100%
Step 9
Delete the background image layer.
Step 10
Trim the excess of the image by going to Image > Trim. When the dialogue box comes up, make sure that Transparent Pixels is selected. In the Trim Away section, make sure that the Top, Bottom, Left, and Right boxes are checked.
Step 11
Go to File > Save As > Select Photoshop EPS. When the dialogue box comes up, make sure the box, Include Vector Data, is checked, then click OK.
The file can now be opened in any vector based drawing program.
