Tool to convert images for wax seals?

[Connie]

Is there a tool, either online or downloadable software, that can easily convert watercolor or other images into simple line art for the wax seals? I have Adobe Illustrator, but it puts way too much detail in. I need something that will really simplify the images into simple line art or silhouettes so I can make matching wax seals for my wedding suites. I need ti to only pick up the primary details.

[PenguinPower]

Do you also have Photoshop? I found to make silhouettes at least, that if I first use Photoshop to make the image high contrast and perhaps tweak some of the details (mainly if I think they'll be too small to be picked up), I can get good results. 

 It also took me a long time to realize I could change the image trace settings.. There's a little box up in the tool bar labeled "preset:".. it's a drop down menu and shillouette, line drawing, black and white logo etc. are all choices, along with some more detailed options than the default. 

[Connie]

Yes, I have Photoshop. I never really thought of it for making sihouettes, but I'll give it a try. I was hoping there'd be one of those online programs that you just upload the image, and it turns it into a simple line drawing or silhouette.

Illustrator stumps me. I tried all those different presets, and nothing seems to give me what I need.  The funny thing is, usually when I try to do image trace and want a detailed accurate drawing, it simplifies things too much. Now I want it simplified, and it makes everything too detailed!

I might just have to manually trace the designs in Procreate on my Ipad. It's rather time-consuming just for one or 2 products, though. But that's what I use to isolate Zazzle products for mockups- I've found it much quicker and easier to trace accurately around the object, than trying to select it in Photoshop.

[upgather]

I like to use Inkscape to make line art from images. It is a free program and does a nice job. You import your image and then click FILTERS>IMAGE PAINT AND DRAW>PENCIL.  There are other options in addition to Pencil that make different effects. You can still end up with a lot of nodes to clean up, but I don't know any way around that. It just depends on the detail of the picture you start with.

[Connie]

Photoshop has a similar filter, but it didn't give me the results I need.

[Cat]

I spent a day or two trying to get a decent line art image of a rose that I use on lots of wedding stuff. I tried a multitude of different programs and filters in GIMP (posterize, cartoonize, edge detect, cranking up the contrast, etc.) I finally relented and just did it by hand. If you find something that yields better results please let us know! 

[Connie]

I think that's what I'm going to have to do also.