How to Create Wireframe From Pictures
By Jay Leon
All paintings and graphics design start out with a wireframe. A wireframe or line drawing maps out the shape and details of the final image. Once the wireframe is made, you can focus on the colors and effects that you want to apply to the image. Line drawings are also useful for showing parts of the subject, such as anatomy illustrations or technical drawings. Keep a duplicate file of the wireframe as a backup in case you need to go back to it.
Go to "Pictures" in the "Start" menu. When the "Pictures Library" opens, browse its folders and click a file to make a picture wireframe from. Right-click the file and drag it to a blank space or a folder for temporary files. Click "Copy here."
Right-click the copy of the picture. Point to "Open with" and select "Paint." Windows 7 will open the Paint program.
Click the "Pencil" tool on the Paint ribbon. Click the "Size" button and select a thickness for the pencil point. Click "Color 1" and select black as the color.
Draw outlines over the picture using the original to guide you. You can make the wireframe of the image as detailed as you want, or you can make a simple outline.
Click the blue button in the upper-left corner. Click "Save As." Save the picture as a color bitmap or JPEG file. Exit Paint.
Go to the "Pictures Library" again. Double-click the picture. Click "Edit, organize or share" on the menu bar at the top of the Photo Gallery window. Double-click the file again.
Click "Fine tune" on the Photo Gallery ribbon if it is not already highlighted.
Click "Adjust exposure" on the right. You will see controls for "Brightness," "Contrast," "Shadows" and "Highlights." Click and drag each of the sliders to the farthest right. You should see the image begin to turn white, as if over-exposed.
Click "Adjust color." Click and drag the "Saturation" slider to the farthest left. Play with the "Color temperature" and "Tint" sliders until you are able to turn the picture as white as possible. You should still see the outlines you made in black.
Click "Close file." If there are any details left that you want to erase, go back to Paint and reopen the file. Click the "Eraser" button below the pencil in the "Tools" group. Erase the parts of the image you do not want. You should see only the wireframe when you are done.
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Writer Bio
Jay Leon began work as a writer and blogger in 2007. Her clients have included content provider Averheld and Loudoun Rewards Club. She writes about computing, web design, the Internet and travel.