Shadings in digital taxonomic drawings

Abstract

This contribution describes how shadings can be applied to taxonomic line drawings created with vector graphics software. The line drawings created with the vector graphic software are saved in vector format and then also in bitmap graphics format. The bitmap version is opened in a bitmap graphics program and the areas for shading selected. A new layer is then created and clouds of pixels are ‘sprayed’ onto these areas. The pixel clouds are saved and later placed onto the outlines in the vector graphic software as a new layer. The results combine the advantages of vector graphics, perfectly smooth lines and the greyscales of bitmap graphics.