Can Visio create an outline of an image?

[Jennifer]

I believe there are tools in high-end image processors, like Photoshop, Illustrator, and Gimp, that can detect edges in photos and other images. I think these tools can be used to create outlines of selected components or the entire image.

Is there anything like that in Visio?

I have been using the Line tool to create outlines. It's works fairly well, but can be a bit tedious. An "outline" tool would be very helpful even if it weren't perfect.

[saveenr]

There's no built-in feature in Visio to do this.

Probably the best implementation of this feature is found in a application called VectorMagic  ( http://vectormagic.com/home ). If you have do this frequently or have complex shapes to handle, this tool might be helpful.

[vojo]

Another option

- copy the orgiinal shape
- make all black
- enlarge by say 10%
- place behind original
- align horizontal and vertical center to center
- group

Could then copy ...paste special as a JPEG if you want

[JuneTheSecond]

Word 2010 has the excelent artificial effects.
You can get outline of an image in one action.

[Jennifer]

That's very cool. Unfortunately, I still have Office 2007. I'm hoping to upgrade in the next few months.

I'm guessing that the result of that outline process is another image and not a line shape, right? I'm looking for a way to convert images into line shapes so I cna turn off the fill.

[egsmachine]

"I'm looking for a way to convert images into line shapes so I cna turn off the fill."
i did this once in Visio 5. i can't for the life of me remember what i did to get it to work, but i did it when i was trying to work on my coporate logo at the time. i think the feature must have been removed in later versions (once Microsoft took over). so i know it was possible and it has frustrated me to no end that i hve not been able to recall or even duplicate the effect. One detail i can recall is that the image was in gif.

[JuneTheSecond]

I am using online application that converts image into vector.
Upload image, convert and download vector in the form of SVG.
Visio can read SVG format, automatically change into grouped shape.
There is no line at first, but you can see lines, if you change line color in any color at once.
If you ungroup, you can edit the shapes, delete useless shapes.
You can find Autotracer or Vector Magic in the web.
Autotracer is more simple and free.

[thibbert]

Click rectangle (or Ctrl
Draw outline
Right click
Format
Fill
Transparency set to 100% for both
OK

[DavidEM]

Use the Union operation