We all know this problem: an invention disclosure contains a gray-scale computer image. We need to convert it into a black & white line drawing before we can use it for a patent application.

The following picture illustrates what needs to be done.

I am using the free FotoSketcher software for that, and these are the steps to do so:

• download FotoSketcher software at www.fotosketcher.com and start it,
• open the gray-scale figure on computer. Best is to start from a digital image supplied by the inventor and not from a scan of a printed gray-scale image
• use the Windows snipping tool to cut out the gray-scale figure and paste it (press CTRL-V) into the FotoSketcher software
• Select “Pencil Sketch 2 (b&w)”
• Experiment with “darken/lighten”, “edge threshold”, “edge intensity” and “stroke length” parameters,
• Store the result
• edit the result on your computer OR print the result and continue manually (which is what I prefer)

I have recorded a short screencast video about the above steps for you. It is part of the Patent Drafting Courses here on my webpage.

The screencast demo video is here: