How can I capture pencil drawings to my computer?

[billyskank]

I can't scan them because the pencil marks seem to reflect the light of the scanner. Ditto for the flash if I try to photograph it. I just know that someone here will know how to do it!

[ScreamingMeemie]

1. ...and it won't be me....

;) :hi: I can't wait to see who've you've captured now.

[billyskank]

7. I drew someone at the new year

not on a post-it note, but larger size, and in pencils only, no pen. But I couldn't find a satisfactory way of getting it into my computer. :hi:

[Ivan Sputnik]

2. Could you photocopy the drawings

and then scan that? It would probably be less reflective. You might have to use a darker pencil.

[billyskank]

5. Yes that might well work

I wonder where the photocopier at work is? :)

[MissHoneychurch]

3. can you try to take a pciture of it

without the flash??? :shrug:

or xeroxing and then scanning??? :shrug:

[billyskank]

6. I need to figure out my camera!

I am still a doofus in that regard. I can point and shoot but not much beyond that! It is probably possible. Using a photocopier may well work better still.

[justabob]

10. Take the photos outside

it is easy as long as you have a cork board or something else you can tape the drawings on.

[billyskank]

11. ..

:think:



Me = :dunce:

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

14. You said it, not me.

:evilgrin: :hug: :yourock:

[MissHoneychurch]

4. doublepost

sorry

[bridgit]

8. try spraying your pencil work with a matte, semi-flat sealer, then scan...

[billyskank]

9. Thanks

I need to get to the craft shop. :)

[mikeytherat]

12. What scan settings are you using?

You should have an option for "black and white text" or "ink/line drawing" (the default is probably "color photo").

Try using a different setting.

mikey_the_rat

[China_cat]

13. Just what I was going to say

as well as look for the brightness/contrast control in your scanner program, turn down the bright, up the contrast. Oh, and if black and white doesn't work, try the grayscale option. I've scanned grandkids pencil drawings with no problems.

[pitohui]

15. i'll third that

shouldn't be any problem scanning line drawings following these suggestions, works great

[billyskank]

16. I'll give it a try, thanks

:thumbsup:

[TimeChaser]

17. Definitely,

I've been scanning pencil drawings for years with no problems. Go for gray scale or black and white scanning.

[NV Whino]

18. Scan with grey scale setting

You will end up with a light tone inthe background that you can remove later by adjusting the contrast in an editing program. The other option is to "trace" over them with a Wacom tablet.