Contour Lines Effect

Apply Contour Lines to images and videos online

Turn a photograph into rough contour line art with a distressed print finish. Fine outlines sit inside chunky black-and-white shapes, while worn surface texture and animated distortion give the image an irregular, handmade feel.

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Original image before applying Contour Lines effect Before
After

Ideas for using the effect

Graphic portraits

Use a clearly lit face to create an outline portrait with bold areas of black and textured paper tones.

Experimental posters

Build a distressed image for gig posters, zines, or album artwork, then pair it with simple lettering that stays readable against the texture.

Object and flower studies

Choose a single vase, flower, or everyday object with a distinct silhouette to explore the contrast between delicate contours and blocky shapes.

Animated artwork

Give a still portrait or a short video shifting outlines, changing bitmap detail, and uneven movement for a textured motion graphic.

Made with this effect

More inspiration on Instagram @effect_app

Example created with Contour Lines effect Original before Contour Lines
Example created with Contour Lines effect Original before Contour Lines
Example created with Contour Lines effect Original before Contour Lines
Example created with Contour Lines effect Original before Contour Lines
Example created with Contour Lines effect Original before Contour Lines
Example created with Contour Lines effect Original before Contour Lines
Example created with Contour Lines effect Original before Contour Lines
Example created with Contour Lines effect Original before Contour Lines
Example created with Contour Lines effect Original before Contour Lines
Example created with Contour Lines effect Original before Contour Lines
Example created with Contour Lines effect Original before Contour Lines
Example created with Contour Lines effect Original before Contour Lines
Example created with Contour Lines effect Original before Contour Lines
Example created with Contour Lines effect Original before Contour Lines
Example created with Contour Lines effect Original before Contour Lines
Example created with Contour Lines effect Original before Contour Lines
Example created with Contour Lines effect Original before Contour Lines
Example created with Contour Lines effect Original before Contour Lines
Example created with Contour Lines effect Original before Contour Lines
Example created with Contour Lines effect Original before Contour Lines
Example created with Contour Lines effect Original before Contour Lines
Example created with Contour Lines effect Original before Contour Lines
Example created with Contour Lines effect Original before Contour Lines
Example created with Contour Lines effect Original before Contour Lines
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Use Contour Lines in Photoshop, Figma or on your desktop

One account, the same effect everywhere.

In Photoshop

Apply it to a layer in Photoshop 2022 and later, on macOS or Windows. The plugin renders on your own GPU and hands the result back as pixels on a new layer.

get the Photoshop plugin →

In Figma

Run it on images and frames without leaving the canvas. The Figma plugin is this same editor, pointed at whatever you have selected.

get the Figma plugin →

On desktop

Install the macOS or Windows app when you want a window of its own, with your account and your presets already there.

download the desktop app →

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply Contour Lines online?

Open the Contour Lines preset, add your image or video, and preview the loaded effect layers. Adjust the result for your source before exporting.

How does the preset create contour line art?

Threshold uses its edge mode to reveal tonal boundaries after the image is warped and softened. ASCII and MacPaint add coarse graphic detail, while two Layer Mix textures give the result a worn print surface.

Which photos work best for the outline effect?

Start with a sharp subject that stands apart from its background. Directional light, clear facial features, and distinct object edges give the preset useful boundaries to describe. Very dark subjects or flat, bright areas can lose important detail.

How can I adjust the line detail and texture?

Adjust Threshold and the Gaussian blur layers to change which contours remain visible. MacPaint's Bitmap width changes the size of the bitmap detail; this control has keyframes in the saved preset, so adjust those keyframes when changing the animation. Lower the Layer Mix opacities for a lighter surface texture.

Can I animate Contour Lines on a still photo?

Yes. The preset includes animated Elastic Grid distortion and MacPaint detail, plus Camera shake and Frame drop for uneven motion. Preview the timeline to choose a still frame or export the moving result.

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