Convert PCB scan/photo into single colour track diagram?

[Chris56000]

. . .Can anyone suggest how I can convert this photo of a Farnell Audio Oscillator PCB into a single plain coloured view of the tracks on a white background please?

. . .I want to convert the tracks to something like solid black svg as I have a Tutorial explaining how to convert the black track artwork into a coloured drawing of the tracks from a friendly Vintage Radio Forum Member!

. . .I want to make the sort of diagram you get in Service Manuals that show the silkscreen and outline in black & the tracks in pink or another colour on a white background!

 . .I am not conversant with image editors by the way!

Chris Williams

[Chris56000]

. . .This a picture of the copper side of the PCB I want to convert!

Chris Williams

[JamesMerry]

Would a contour tool or edge detect in photoshop work?

Ideally you'll get a really clean image with no edge distortion from your camera. Can you place the PCB (gently, so to not scratch the glass) on a flatbed scanner on a printer? Once you have a clean image, any editing tool should be able to fill in the colour differences with whatever you'd like.

[Chris56000]

I'm afraid I don't know how to use Photoshop or have a flatbed scanner I can scan the PCB on I'm afraid!

Chris Williams

[thm_w]

https://www.gimp.org/tutorials/

[Kean]

I had a quick go with the provided photo in Inkscape, but I couldn't get enough contrast for the trace bitmap function.  There is too much contrast on the solder pads, and not enough between the green shades.  I didn't want to spend more than a couple of minutes trying.

I think to be successful I think you'd need to make another photo with backlighting.