Quick links to procedures on this page:

 


Converting images to the black-and-white color mode

You can convert images to the 1-bit black-and-white color mode to reduce file size, or to create artistic looks. The black-and-white color mode (also known in some programs as bitmap mode) is not the same as the grayscale color mode. In black-and-white images, each pixel must be either black or white; grayscale images can include black, white, and 254 shades of gray and are suitable for creating a black-and-white photo effect. For information about changing photos to grayscale, see “To change the color mode of an image.”

When you convert images to the black-and-white color mode, you can adjust settings — such as threshold, screen type, and intensity — and choose from seven black-and-white conversion types:

 
Halftone — creates different shades of gray by varying the pattern of black and white pixels in an image. You can choose the screen type, angle for the halftone, lines per unit, and the unit of measure.
 
Line art — produces a high-contrast black-and-white image. Colors with a grayscale value lower than the threshold value that you set change to black, while colors with a grayscale value higher than the threshold value change to white.
 
Ordered — organizes the gray levels into repeating geometric patterns of black and white pixels. Solid colors are emphasized and image edges are hard. This option is best suited for uniform colors, such as those used in charts and graphs.
 
Jarvis — applies the Jarvis algorithm to individual pixels. This form of error diffusion is suitable for photographic images.
 
Stucki — applies the Stucki algorithm to individual pixels. This form of error diffusion is suitable for photographic images.
 
Floyd-Steinberg — applies the Floyd-Steinberg algorithm to individual pixels. This form of error diffusion is suitable for photographic images.
 
Cardinality-Distribution — creates a textured look by applying a calculation and distributing the result to each pixel.

To convert an image to the black-and-white color mode

Photo Paint btnbacktotop Converting images to the black and white color mode
1.
 
Click Image Photo Paint onestep Converting images to the black and white color mode Convert to black-and-white (1-bit).
2.
 
Choose a conversion option from the Conversion list box.
3.
 
Specify the conversion settings you want.
If you want to view other parts of the image, drag the hand in the Preview window.

Converting images to the black-and-white color mode