Applying an Outline Effect

The Outline effect is similar to the Edge Detect effect. You can use the Outline effect to create a highlighted outline of your image. However, with the Outline effect you can control the thickness of the outline, whether an edge is outlined or not, and the color that displays behind the outlined image.

You can save your settings as a preset for future use.

To Use the Outline Effect:

  1. In Edit mode, in the Add group, select Special Effect.

    2. You can also access the Special Effects menu from the Filter drop-down menu or Filter toolbar.

  2. Click Outline.
  3. On the Outline panel, set the options as described below.
  4. Do one of the following:
    • Click Done to accept your changes and close the panel.
    • Click Cancel to discard your changes and close the panel.

Outline Options

Line width

Specifies the width of the outline in the effect. The higher the value, the wider the outline.

Threshold

Specifies how sharp an edge must be in order to be outlined. If you specify a higher value, more edges in the photo will be outlined.

Background color

Specifies the background color of the filtered image. Click the color picker to select a different color.

You can right-click a slider to reset to the default value.

You can use the Edit Brush to paint this effect onto specific areas of your image.


You can use the Gradient tool to transition this effect across specific areas of your image.

You can use the Radial Gradient tool to apply effects around, or directly to, a center point.

See also: