Expert: Andre Hickman - 11/16/2011

Question
hello

I m asking about softwares convert from

1-natural pics to sketch

2- natural pic to portrait

3- natural video to sketched video

4- natural video to animation or cartoon

let me know some recommendation for softwares can do the above tasks

thanks

Answer
Hey xman,

Actually Photoshop can do what you are referring to.  I am a professional, and don't get to peruse some of the "non-industry" software packages like I used to, so I am not aware of many inexpensive alternative programs.  

Newer versions of Photoshop can also work with video as well.  Now don't expect it to turn out looking like one of those "Charles Swabb" commercials.  Without a great, well-lit photo or video footage, you will have sub-par results.

Some people will actually use Adobe Flash, and trace over the images frame by frame, but I think for an automated approach, one of the Photoshop filters is your best be.  They are probably also available in Photoshop Elements, which is a watered down version of the program, and much less expensive.

For a professional look, chances are though that a production studio is not using an "out of the box" plugin, but has developed the look that they desired through lots of tweaking, and possibly more than one specific software in their workflow.

I don't know the quality of these resources, but you can also take a look at the following links to software and tutorials for the sketch look:

http://free-ebooks-canada.com/?p=348

http://www.howtogeek.com/68762/how-to-make-photos-look-like-pencil-drawings-in-a

http://make-sketch.qarchive.org/

http://video.software.informer.com/download-video-drawing-effect/

http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to-use-adobe-photoshop-turn-pictures-into-cartoon


Those should get you headed in the right direction!


Cheers,
Andre