Can Visio cut shapes from images like Photoshop?

[Jennifer]

I know Visio can trace the outline of an object in an image using the Arc, Freeform, and Pencil tools. I have used it before so I could calculate the area of an irregular shape. But can it cut irregular shapes out of a photo like shown in this video about Photoshop?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsSjXNOE7NM

Perhaps I was not using these tools correctly, but it was much more difficult to get as close to the edges as the guy does in that video. Is there an similar online tutorial for Visio?

[wapperdude]

Not sure I totally understand the question. 

Visio will not do a cutout.  That is most easily done in a photoediting app.  So, if that's the question, answer is no.

Visio will draw.  Which as you know, allows you to make outlines of a shape.  Is there a tutorial?  Not that I'm aware of.  The video makes some good points...didn't watch all of it...and Visio can do most/all, except cut. 

I found the drawing tools work well.  You can almost use line and pencil tools exclusively.  Basically, draw a line between two points on a curve, add an inflection point as needed, and drag it to trace the shape.  Add inflection points to refine the curve.  Repeat as you proceed around the shape.  The curve tool is handy for simple curves, but, line and pencil work equally well.  I RARELY use the free form tool.  It is too detailed.  My preference.

For example of complex tracing, see http://visguy.com/vgforum/index.php?topic=586.msg2496#msg2496.
The two  instrument shapes were tracing based on pix of the guitar and bass.

[wapperdude]

Another trip back in time...
Saw this 2014 post you made, http://visguy.com/vgforum/index.php?topic=6194.msg25243#msg25243.  That piqued my curiousity.  So, I agree, with newer versions of Visio, it is NOT as easy as it was, and, as i'm using 2019, either the change seems to be here.

But, all is not lost.  The arc tool is usable.  It may be necessary to zoom in on the inflection point and use pencil tool to grab the curve deflection points. 

[Jennifer]

Not sure I totally understand the question. 

Visio will not do a cutout.  That is most easily done in a photoediting app.  So, if that's the question, answer is no.

Doing a cutout in the whole point, so I guess Visio is out. Seems like a fairly simple feature to add.

[vojo]

1)  Open a new page
2)  copy your group of shapes
3)  paste special in a new page as bit map or whatever
4) draw a line over the image where you want to cut (straight like or a path)
5) select the image and line
6) Goto drawing operations in developer mode and select fragment
7) take the part you want and use it

Note this results in a static bit map image..not visio editable set of shapes.

[Jennifer]

The problem with fragment is that is destroys the contents. Here's a quick demo.



Is there any way to do the fragment and preserve the image? If so, that might just solve my problem.

[wapperdude]

Not that I'm aware of. 

Visio does not preserve content of imported image file after fragment operation..or most (all?) similar operations that involve filled content.  If it is possible, I'd like to know too.

[wapperdude]

Did google search for photo to jigsaw... quite a few options. 

NOT tried any. 

This looks interesting from price standpoint:  https://www.epuzzle.info/en/puzzle-from-photo

[Jennifer]

Not that I'm aware of. 

Visio does not preserve content of imported image file after fragment operation..or most (all?) similar operations that involve filled content.  If it is possible, I'd like to know too.

When I was creating that example above, I first tried it with a filled shape. Fragment sorta preserves the content there. 🤨🤔🙄



That would not work for what I need.

I'd like to know what the (il)logic is behind the current Fragment behavior. Makes no sense to me.

[wapperdude]

That result is unexpected.  That is not a "true" fragment.   What this looks like the original shape had a radial fill pattern and when it was fragmented, each piece retained the full radial fill definition.  That actually makes some sense, from a simple implementation perspective.  That is, the shape had as its fill a centered, radial pattern. So, each fragment gets that same definition, including all the coloring characteristics.  Not treated as bitmap slice and dice.  Definitely not useful for jigsaw puzzle design.

[Jennifer]

That result is unexpected.  That is not a "true" fragment.   What this looks like the original shape had a radial fill pattern and when it was fragmented, each piece retained the full radial fill definition.  That actually makes some sense, from a simple implementation perspective.  That is, the shape had as its fill a centered, radial pattern. So, each fragment gets that same definition, including all the coloring characteristics.  Not treated as bitmap slice and dice.  Definitely not useful for jigsaw puzzle design.

Yup. When I converted the image to an external image, Fragent killed the image.

[vojo]

I guess you copy and paste as an image  and use cropping to do what you want

[wapperdude]

You can do the desired type of fragmenting in Power Point.  For a demonstration, see this video:  https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=d-Ij3ZtIxHU.

[Jennifer]

You can do the desired type of fragmenting in Power Point.  For a demonstration, see this video:  https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=d-Ij3ZtIxHU.

Ok, thanks. I'll check it out.

[Jennifer]

Did google search for photo to jigsaw... quite a few options. 

NOT tried any. 

This looks interesting from price standpoint:  https://www.epuzzle.info/en/puzzle-from-photo

Ok, thanks