Graphics Help

[budwzr]

This was taken from a photo converted to BW, then maxed out the contrast. But there are holes and rough edges. Anyone have a slick way to fill the holes and smooth the edges? Looking for a procedural solution.

[Video Head]

I would use Photoshop. Zoom in and use a healing brush for the holes. The edges are not too bad and could be done with just a fine pen and some edge smoothing. I use a Wacom pen tablet but it could be done with a mouse and patience. Also, it may be easier to find the font and create a new one.

[poisondeathray]

Another option is to use your vector/graphics (e.g. illustrator, inkscape) program to auto trace it . Preparation is the key before you trace (e.g. blur edges) so you reduce rough edges . You can play with the settings or speckle threshold to determine "when a hole becomes a hole"

Or FX type programs (after effects) will also have matte repair type plugins that "plug" holes , clean edges

Also, it may be easier to find the font and create a new one.

^This

[budwzr]

So no magic bullet, basically?

[poisondeathray]

What did the original look like ? There might be other methods to get mask paths that may work better

[budwzr]

This is it.

I used a basic color selection mask. But forgot to tweak the tolerance up and down. Like what you said about fuzzing the edge prior to tracing.

To be honest, I don't care much for tracing, but since this is text, maybe better.

[budwzr]

I would use Photoshop. Zoom in and use a healing brush for the holes. The edges are not too bad and could be done with just a fine pen and some edge smoothing. I use a Wacom pen tablet but it could be done with a mouse and patience. Also, it may be easier to find the font and create a new one.

Is that "procedural"? Hahaha

I need a good overall procedure to lift graphic elements from photos. But I think keeping them as raster w/trans-alpha is preferable to SVG. I never use SVG for the web, only as compositing elements in 3D apps. True, I could generate a raster matte at any time, but I'm lazy.

If you have a flowchart with symbols, that would be cool too. Put a lot of "else" optional paths in there too. No dead ends, por favor.

[jagabo]

ImageSource("holes.jpg")
AddBorders(0,0,0,1)
ConvertToYV12()
Blur(1.0).ColorYUV(cont_y=200)
Blur(1.0).ColorYUV(cont_y=200)
Blur(1.0).ColorYUV(cont_y=200)
Blur(1.0).ColorYUV(cont_y=200)
Blur(1.0).ColorYUV(cont_y=200)

[poisondeathray]

You'll have problems with the "M" using any method because of the close/narrow lines in the stroke . Blurring that section will make it worse

Both those methods should work (auto tracing with preparation & custom settings, or color keying with matte repair tools), but you will likely have to fix the "M" in either case



Some of those forums that deal with font experts are pretty quick in their replies. You usually get the answer back the same day

[budwzr]

[CODE]ImageSource("holes.jpg").....

Yeah, that's a nice fill. So that's what an edge detect selection and fill looks like in script? I think that's equal to a convolve in the NLE world, yeah?

[jagabo]

Or from the original image:

ImageSource("view.jpg") 
Crop(100,60,400,160)
ConvertToYV12()
BilinearResize(width*2,height*2)
ColorYUV(cont_y=3000, off_y=600, cont_u=-256, cont_v=-256)
Blur(1.0).ColorYUV(cont_y=200)
Blur(1.0).ColorYUV(cont_y=200)
Blur(1.0).ColorYUV(cont_y=200)
Blur(1.0).ColorYUV(cont_y=200)
Blur(1.0).ColorYUV(cont_y=200)

A little closer cropping could have gotten rid of the spot in the lower right corner.

[budwzr]

Did you soften the edge to get that? Or maybe sharpen! A-Ha! That's why you inflated 2X, to get room to sharpen.

[jagabo]

A final Blur(0.5) will soften the edges a little bit.

[poisondeathray]

I would autotrace this, because you have access to vertices along the mask paths. So it's easy to fine tune bumps and problems . It literally takes seconds to trace, maybe a minute to fine tune a few vertices

But forgot to tweak the tolerance up and down

Yes, part of your problem is from not doing the original color key correctly

[Video Head]

I would use Photoshop. Zoom in and use a healing brush for the holes. The edges are not too bad and could be done with just a fine pen and some edge smoothing. I use a Wacom pen tablet but it could be done with a mouse and patience. Also, it may be easier to find the font and create a new one.

Is that "procedural"? Hahaha

I need a good overall procedure to lift graphic elements from photos. But I think keeping them as raster w/trans-alpha is preferable to SVG. I never use SVG for the web, only as compositing elements in 3D apps. True, I could generate a raster matte at any time, but I'm lazy.

If you have a flowchart with symbols, that would be cool too. Put a lot of "else" optional paths in there too. No dead ends, por favor.

Sorry, it has been a while since I worked with the flaming, spinning logo crowd.

You initially asked how to fill the holes and fix the edges not how to extract a text element from a really bad photo. Personally I would suggest you buy a good tripod and camera and learn how to use them.

[budwzr]

I would autotrace this...

@PDR -Yeah, that second one is perfect. Nice!