Getting rid of Blue lines?

daniel.botcherby · 06-15-2005, 06:14 AM

ok sometimes I like to draw my outline for an image in blue pencil, then finish up with HB or whatever. Now often the outline I've drawn is all over the place and I was just wondering if anyone has any tips on how to get rid of them lines (in Photoshop preferably)

**Mrs. Bruce Lee** · 06-15-2005, 08:57 AM

I'm sure there are BETTER ways to do this - those on PJ who are good with channels probably know something. But since I'm self-trained in Photoshop, I usually just go with the first thing that works for me.

ONE way is to:
1. Go to Image > Adjustments > Hue/Saturation.
2. In the Hue/Saturation pop-up window, there is a drop-down menu at the top left that says "Edit." The default choice is "Master"; change this to "Cyans."
3.Move the "Lightness" slider all the way to the right (+100). This should turn your blue marks white, thus melting them into the background.
4. If you still see some traces of blue, change the "Edit" drop-down choice to "Blues" and repeat step 3.
5. If your blue pencil is a really funky color, you may have to play with the other "Edit" colors and try step 3 again until all traces of blue pencil are gone.

This should leave you with a clean black and white image. NOTE: If you use blue-line paper for your art, this method will remove them too. If you just want to remove the blue PENCIL and not the blue LINES, make sure to select the area to be corrected with the select tool first.

**plasticfangs** · 06-15-2005, 09:53 AM

If you're using the right kind of blue pencil, it should be the non-photocopy kind. So simply photocopy the image, and the lines should disappear.

**astrocity20** · 06-15-2005, 11:16 AM

Originally Posted by Mrs. Bruce Lee

ONE way is to:
1. Go to Image > Adjustments > Hue/Saturation.
2. In the Hue/Saturation pop-up window, there is a drop-down menu at the top left that says "Edit." The default choice is "Master"; change this to "Cyans."
3.Move the "Lightness" slider all the way to the right (+100). This should turn your blue marks white, thus melting them into the background.
4. If you still see some traces of blue, change the "Edit" drop-down choice to "Blues" and repeat step 3.
5. If your blue pencil is a really funky color, you may have to play with the other "Edit" colors and try step 3 again until all traces of blue pencil are gone.

That's the way I do it... it only works somewhat if you choose to use a blue pen for the underneath, but not nearly as clean. Use a pencil and they just disappear.

**krikkit13** · 06-15-2005, 12:08 PM

Or scan the image in black and white instead of color. You'll only end up with the HB stuff that way. It may work with a grayscale as well, but I'm not sure...

**Inkthinker** · 06-15-2005, 12:19 PM

I also use a Hue/Saturation shift to remove sketch lines. I find that RED is easier to see and easier to remove than blue, though, which is why I work in red (or reddish pink) pencil a lot more now, and then go over it in graphite.

**tekende** · 06-15-2005, 01:25 PM

Originally Posted by plasticfangs

If you're using the right kind of blue pencil, it should be the non-photocopy kind. So simply photocopy the image, and the lines should disappear.

I use a non-photo kind, and have used at least three different brands. But it doesn't seem to matter; my scanner always picks most of the lines up, even if I scan it in greyscale. It's really annoying.