Converting grayscale to black & white

I have a sketched out map of a parking lot that I want to convert to a true black and white. Can someone please tell me step by step how to do this?
Thanks...

Curvemeister told you how to convert from RGB to grayscale. And by the way I think the new(ish?) black and white adjustment layer does your trick in one adjustment. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
Max:
To move from grayscale to "true black and white" (bitmap), you can use the layer...new adjustment layer...threshold and move the slider. Personally, I like to upsample the image some, as bitmaps have no gray tones to smooth lines out. Your target resolution should be 450-600 ppi at the size you will print. Of course, you can go higher... You can upsample using bicubic smoother and then use the threshold adjustment layer. When you're happy with how it looks, just image...mode...bitmap it and you've got a true black and white.
Of course if your image is photographic, you might want to turn it into "line art," which is kind of a different thing. If you try the threshold adjustment layer on a photo, you'll see what I mean.
Be sure to save as, or dupe the file before you begin!
J

Similar Messages

How do I convert color to black & white or grayscale in InDesign CS3?

I'm working with a number of publications which require some advertisements to be in grayscale or black and white. Short of changing all of my pictures to grayscale before I import, is there a way to manipulate the color within InDesign? And some of the images I am importing are PDFs, which are even harder to manipulate--is there a way to do this in InDesign at all?
Thanks!

>You can produce a grayscale PDF by printing to a Postscript file,
choosing Output > Color > Composite gray, and Distilling the PS file
(assuming you have the full version of Acrobat).
If you have a full version of Acrobat you can do that in one step by choosing AdobePDF as the printer. :)

Cheap and good method: converting 2¼/4x5 black & white negatives to positives

This has been covered here but, I wanted to describe my solution.
I have some old large format negatives from 2¼ up to 4 x 5. I don't want to pay to have them scanned or buy a expensive Epson pro scanner or any other kind. (I already have a dedicated scanner for 35mm). I don't even want to spend money on a new copy stand. Although, I am on the look out for a used one.
In a pinch, I needed to make a positive of just one 2¼ negative. For on screen use only.
So I just placed the negative on my flourescent light box (used to look at slides) and took a picture of it with a 55 macro lens (the best for copy work) and a 24 MP DSLR. I used a high shutter speed, 500, to avoid shake. I also shot off a number of frames.
Most the frames were useless because of a color cast, I think caused by the sensor and the flouresenct tubes. But one was fine. I imported it, turned it positive in Curves, used the built in Effects Black and White Blue Filter 100% conversion, cropped it (with 2¼ black frame around it) cleaned up the specks and scratches on it in Aperture (262 strokes in Retouch).
I did full on Devignette and there is still a touch of it but, that's OK. That’s what 2¼ does with flash. Besides using the Curves to invert it, the only other thing that I had to adjust was Highlights and Shadows. Enhance and Exposure had little impact so I kept them off.
Frankly, it is hard to tell the difference between this and the 4000 dpi scans from my expensive 35mm slide scanner!
I'd do a link to the scan here but, it is for a project I can't release yet. But, it would blow your mind. FF 24MP DSLR, macro lens, lightbox, some time in Aperture and you can put some of your large format images up on Flickr or your portfolio for nothing.

I'd say that, if you are worried about perspective distortion, go buy an Epson Perfection 700 and scan large format film that way.
But I am not sure how I would detect perspective distortion. Macro lenses around 50-60 mm are designed to not have much or any of that.
I don't worry about stuff like that… life is to short. Exessive obsession with perfection to extreme with gear is a miserable existance. (However, do good work though…)
The iPad (any size) is a nice idea too! If you own one, cheaper than buyng a light box you might never use. I just happen to have one from film shooting days.
If you have a Nook, Kindle, or larger Android, those might be big enough for 4x5 or 5x7 too!
For those with only an iPhone, iPod, or other smart phone, used or new light boxes are probably pretty cheap now and even a small one can do 4 x 5 with room to spare. Art stores sell them too. My small one is made for tracing. My big light box was originally on the wall for X-Rays in a hospital. I bought it surplus.

Where did convert to black + white go in Acrobat DC?

Adobe Acrobat just updated to DC this morning and now I cannot find out where the convert colours tool went. I need to convert .pdfs to black+white constantly.
Does anyone know? I can't find the answer anywhere.

It's under Print Production, which is the tenth icon on the Right Hand Panel.
Then select Print Production and Convert Colors is the fourth item down the Right Hand Panel.

Saving files as Black & White Scalable or Windows Meta File using hp scanjet 4570c scanner

I have a hp scanjet 4570c Scanner that I need to be able to save or convert scans to Black & White Scalable or Windows Meta Files to use with our Engraving Machine. We had a hp scanjet 4400c that used Precision 3.1 Software and it could save a scan as Black & White Scalable. It was perfect for our Engraver until the scanner went bad. Our 4570c doesn't have an option for that. Help !

Hello Jimbo6710,
I see that that is your first visit on the HP Forums. Please let me take a moment to say "Welcome".
To help you get the most out of the HP Forums I would like to direct your attention to the HP Forums Guide First Time Here? Learn How to Post and More.
I see that you are having some issues when attempting to save scan's to black and white.
What is the operating system on the computer you are using ?
Which Windows Operating System am I running?
Are you attempting to use HP software to do the scan's?
Write back when you have time and i'll be happy to help.
If I don't hear back from you today, I hope you have a Great Monday.
Cheers,
Click the “Kudos Thumbs Up" at the bottom of this post to say “Thanks” for helping!
Please click “Accept as Solution ” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.
W a t e r b o y 71
I work on behalf of HP

How can I convert RGB Color to Black-White Color?

Dear everyone!
I am using Photoshop CS5. I have got a file from my customer which is done as RGB and the resolution is 300dpi. There are black texts and color images in the file. I wish to print Black-White Process Film (1 black color), but I don't know how to solve it. I started converting my file to Grayscale and then the black texts are not black enough because it becomes lighter. When I go to Level and adjust the color, both the image and texts becomes darker. What must I do to make only texts blacker without effecting the image?
Please find the attached file for the reference.
For more information, please let me know.
My Best Regards,
LUCK

luck_lesson wrote:
...I have got a file from my customer which is done as RGB and the resolution is 300dpi. ..
What file format was supplied to you? Was it truly RGB @ 300ppi or did you rasterize a PDF?
300ppi is lousy for text. You might converse with your customer to instruct them on the ideal way to supply a file to you.

Convert color images to black&white bitmaps

Hi,
I have black&white scans of public domain books (image format). I use an OCR software to convert them to indexable PDFs (image+text format). However, the OCRed PDFs are insanely big: a 27 MB scanned PDF leads to an indexable PDF of 728 MB! And unfortunately, my OCR software doesn't have output settings, so I have to find a way to compress the files using Adobe Acrobat 9 Pro.
Using Advanced Options > Optimization does reduce the file size, but not significantly. The problem seems to be that my OCR software converts the black&white scans to color images, and encodes them as such inside the PDF. So I need a way to set the image modes back to black&white. I tried using the Advanced Options > Preflight dialog, and selecting "Convert to black&white". However, the resulting PDFs stay about the same size! It seems that "Convert to black&white" converts the images to grayscale, instead of to bitmap.
Any help would be appreciated!

I mentioned "bitmaps", because when I open the original PDF and right-click a random page and select "Modify image..." and open the image in Photoshop, the mode is set to "Bitmap mode": meaning 1-bit mode, containing either black or white pixels. However, when I do "Modify image..." for the OCRed PDF, the mode is set to "RGB Color Mode". I think this explains, in part, the huge size of the OCRed PDF.
Maybe this table will make it more clear:
Original PDF (Bitmap Mode, 132 dpi)
Size: 27 MB
OCRed PDF (RGB Color Mode, 300 dpi)
Size: 728 MB
Now, from the table above, it's clear that I have to reduce the image resolution. So, using the Acrobat's PDF optimizer, I tried the following settings:
Optimized OCRed PDF: Try 1 (Downsample to 132 dpi, JPEG compression)
Size: 733 MB
Optimized OCRed PDF: Try 2 (Downsample to 132 dpi, ZIP compression)
Size: 449 MB
But 449 MB is still huge for a single book. And I don't want to reduce the resolution under 132 dpi, because I will loose quality. Clearly, if the original document is just 27 MB, I should be able to squeeze the OCRed document too. But I don't know how.

How convert a color PDF File to black & white (gray scale...no color)

How convert a color PDF File to black & white (gray scale...no color)??? creative cloud cs6... Acrobat etc

Hi, just wanted to add my 2¢
I've been in publishing over 25 years and live in Acrobat for making my final files. Currently with a newspaper.
This is what we do:
• Tool Panes > Print Production Window
• Select CONVERT COLORS
• Midway down under OUTPUT INTENT, check Convert Colors to Output Intent
• In the associated drop down menu, I choose (because I'm printing on newsprint) DOT GAIN 20% – If you're working on better stock, choose a lower dot gain percentage.
• Click OK – this will convert the file
• Save
Note: this affects the file you're working with. Make sure that you use this method on a COPY if you want to retain the original color version.
I think if you compare my method to the Preflight method, you'll see a tighter contrast and better blacks. I've always felt the Preflight method left continuous tones a little muddy.
Now if there was only a way to add that to ACTIONS...!

Convert photo to black and white excpet for reds

I have a photo and I would like to convert it to black and white except for the reds in the image. Is there a way of selecting a color range to be preserved and to convert the rest to black and white?
thanks

The problem is that the reds arnt just in one area.
Is there no way to select a color range?
I guess I could use the magic wand tool and set it off continuous while varying the tolerance, but this seems a but crude.

How to Convert to Black & White?

I am currently using Adobe Acrobat 9 Standard Edition. I have a .pdf document that contains colored font. I want all the font to be black but nothing is working. I have tried to "print" to Adobe, selecting the Black & White option, but the color will not convert. I do not want to have to save my .pdf as another file, convert, and then re-.pdf it. Is there a way to convert to black and white within Acrobat itself?

Thanks and blessings on you.
This worked for me when the "Convert to Composite gray" did not.
My starting pdf file was cmyk and the type was a 57% black boosted with 60-70% of the other process colors. Converting to composite gray gave me a medium dark gray type, not black; and "convert colors to black" worked for the type but blasted the illustrations.
Acrobat has so many damn settings and options; you suspect there must be one that will do what you want, but trial and erroring it can be a long and frustrating process. Bless you for sharing your expertise.

How do I convert to black & white in Layers?

I am using Scott Kelby's book Elements 6. He tells how to convert to black & white in the Layers palette. I must have something checked incorrectly. WHen I do as he writes only parts of the picture are in black and white. I have a gradient problem. I need to get the tool to the default setting.

Like Mark, I don't have the book so can only guess which method Scot Kelby is using in his tutorial.
Before you reset the took, press D to reset your tool box colors to the default black and white. You might have your tool box color chips set to colors which would result in gray being painted in the mask.
Unless the tutorial you are using gives a blend mode for the gradient tool, make sure it is in Normal blend mode.
Check if you are getting the expected results.
If not...
Reset Tool instructions can be found here:
http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/pselements/ss/10tipspse7_9.htm
Are you dragging a gradient in a layer mask or an adjustment layer mask?
Keep in mind if you are masking: Areas with black paint will be hidden (effect... black and white in this case... will not be seen); areas in white will be revealed (effect...black and white in this case...will be displayed or shown); areas that are gray will be semi-transparent (the amount of transparent is dependent on the brightness value of the shade of gray...think feathering.)
Here's another tutorial about how to make a black and white with a splash of color:
http://www.alibony.com/pse/061608bw-convert.html
The above tutorial I have linked below uses a clipping mask/clipping group...same thing; different name. If you have PSE 9, you can just create a mask beside the black and white conversion without doing the clipping mask step(s).
If using the smart brush, there are instructions in this thread:
http://forums.adobe.com/message/3012798

How to export a CMYK document to a black/white or greyscale pdf for print?

Hello, I have some knowledge in graphics design, but very little about color management.
Currently I need to convert an instruction manual I made to black and white output only. We'd prefer to keep the indesign (.indd) and it's source images in their respective colors, but when exporting the document to a pdf my printer can use, we'd like to make that document a black and white pdf, as it's a black/white manual anyway. A little color conversion isn't to bad, as long as it's reasonable. all images that might give trouble are in greyscale anyway.
So how do I export a full color indesign document to a black&white/greyscale pdf?
ps:
very newb question, but if you don't ask, you never learn:
When do you use the colours "registration", and when do you use "paper"?

I am also trying desperately to convert my CMYK colors into a grayscale so that when I print the document the printer only uses K (and C=0 M=0 Y=0)
And I saw this bit of info you wrote a few months ago. I am working working with photoshop CS4. I tried to follow it but I found the following difficulties. Hope you don't mind me writing over your text.
RGB image --> Grayscale
New doc --> CMYK image,same size, empty
Copy Grayscale and paste into the K-channel of the CMYK image. - (It only allows me to copy onto the CMYK layer but not onto the Black so I had to Drag layer onto channel delete the black layer and rename my new layer as black but then the document changes from CMYK to Multichannel and I have to re-change the mode again to CMYK but this already prints CMYK...)
Place image in InDesign doc.
Everything else (vector, text) by K-only.
(...then when I placet that CMYK file into InDesign, and PDF it, on the output preview still separates the grayscale image into CMYK and when I print, the printer still prints CMYK instead of only K)
So then I say OK so.. let's use the Multichannel document instead, which it actually seems to print on K only (while CMY=0), it only allows me to save as PSD. and when I try to place it on Indesign... I have a message saying that this file is using an unsupported colour space, only RGB,CMYK, lab, indexed, and bitmap are supported by the photoshop filter
On top of that I have been asked for a Jpeg image in black and white which prints only K (while CMY=0). I have tried with channel mixed presets and even though the info on screen is now C=0, M=0, Y=0 and K= various values, when I send it to print. The printer still prints with all the CMYK colours
Any advice would be so much appreciated!
Thank you

Printing Black&White and Color combined in Binder

Problems with Acrobat 8 Professional for Windows. Use Windows 2003, Canon iRC 3220N printer.
I have produced a brochure of 44 A4 pages. 8 pages in color, rest in black&white. The pages are individually produced in Illustrator (Creative Suite 3). Some illustrations in PNG-format where imported into Illustrator. Each of the pages were converted to Acrobat PDF's. For all Acrobat pages with an former PNG-illustration i did the Advanced-PrintProduction-ConvertColors and converted to Grayscale. When printing these pages individually they come out correct as black&white or color when that is the setting.
But when all the 44 PDF's are combined into a binder some of the black&white pages are forced back to color. Most of these forced-back pages contain an former PNG-illustration The brochure ia printed on A3 sheets as a booklet and saddle stitched.
Any help to solve the problem?

Take a look at these forum discussions:
http://forums.adobe.com/message/2685675
http://forums.adobe.com/message/2612127

How can I Copy/Paste a Black & White Photo into a Layer Mask

I have a landscape picture.
Then I will copy it into another layer and convert it to black and white. I will make some changes to the B&W photo
Then I want this B&W photo to be the layer mask of a "Layer-Multiply" of the original ...
I tried copy and paste as it is, but it doesn´t works
Please help me with the steps or what I am doing wrong.
Regards
Roberto

You can paint not only a black and white photo, but also a coloured one.
Once you have copied the photo (Ctrl A and Ctrl C), before trying to paste, be sure that the layer mask is active, Alt click in the layer palette in the mask icon on the right : you get a white screen and the mask icon is shown selected. Only then can you paste into the mask (Ctrl V). To exit the mask view, Alt click again or click in the layer icon on the left.
When you paste a coloured pictures it is automatically converted to grayscale.

Black & White images

Hi everyone,
to explain what I'm doing first.
I am creating a bi-monthly magazine for a club, the magazine is printed in black & white with greyscale images, with a colour cover spread.
This magazine also appears on the clubs website in full color.
So my question is, can I create the whole magazine on inDesign in full color, then export it as a PDF in full color for the website. Then export a second copy as a PDF with the color cover spread and internal pages in black & white/grey scale.
As I don't want to have to make the whole magazine in colour, export it, then make all the changes to the images in photoshop.
Any help would be much appreciated.

You can make the magazine in full colour and export to PDF, giving you a full colour.
You can then use Acrobat to Convert the PDF to Grayscale (save as a new name) and that can be your black and white version.
There is no way using File>Export to get a Grayscale PDF from InDesign.
To get a grayscale PDF from InDesign you would need to use File>Print and print directly to a PDF OR to postscript (then use acrobat distiller to distill the PS file). But printing to PDF is frowned upon by many.
Besides, a simple conversion of colour images to grayscale is kind of bland. When you convert a colour image to grayscale you always almost nearly always need to change the levels/curves and shadow and highlight/contrast for a meatier looking b/w image.
But you can make the conversion to Grayscale in the PDF as said earlier http://www.google.ie/search?q=pdf+to+grayscale&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-U S:official&client=firefox-a

Converting grayscale to black & white

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