Adobe Streamline 4.0 (Mac) [Old Version]

by Adobe

Product Details

Data Sheet [486kb PDF]

• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B00002S86C
• Item model number: 16020011
• Date first available at Amazon.com: May 10, 2002
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,489 in Software (See Top 100 in Software)
  • #32 in Software > Graphics > Image Capture
  • #95 in Software > Graphics > Illustration

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Streamline 4.0 is an excellent bridge between the worlds of freehand drawing and resolution-independent graphics. At its heart, the software is basically a conversion utility, a tool for importing bitmapped (raster) images and exporting them as vector-based line art. But it's a disservice to the application to downplay what is so simply stated.

The value of Streamline becomes apparent after the first conversion--it quickens the heart to see a hand-drawn, bitmapped image imported into a program like Adobe Illustrator, where one can tweak the curve and width of any line, and scale it up until it fills a billboard.

The process starts with a drawing or image being scanned in or photographed with a digital camera and saved out from a program like Adobe Photoshop. It is then opened in Streamline (it works with many file types, including native Photoshop) where the image is converted to vector lines.

The options for conversion are numerous: control point density, smoothness, line width, stroke or fill, curve smoothing. Additionally, areas of the original image can be selectively converted, with each area using different conversion settings--some for smoother, thicker lines, some for rougher, more edgy lines, and variations thereof. Also, Streamline 4.0 now features a "convert to" command, for converting a roughly drawn shape into a standard shape; for example, a crude egg shape on a cocktail napkin could be converted to a perfect circle, or four rough strokes into a smooth, even rectangle. Streamline 4.0 also supports converting colors to vector-based areas of color. One can specify the number of colors to use and which color palette would best match.

Adobe-standard keyboard shortcuts improve one's efficiency with the application, and being able to drag and drop across applications is a handy feature that anyone can grow to love.

Freehand drawing on a computer is not as easy or straightforward as taking pencil to paper--a natural quality is lacking, a texture more felt than seen. But graphics software offers features not found in "real-life" art, like the ability to scale an image up and down without losing the sharpness of a line. For any serious digital artist, Streamline is a must-have. It is one of those tools that is used the least, but appreciated the most. --Mike Caputo

Amazon.com Product Description

This program delivers maximum control for converting images to line art. Adobe Streamline 4.0 software instantly converts scanned black-and-white or color raster images into editable Adobe PostScript line art. Just scan any sketch, and Streamline will automatically create a file that you can drag and drop into Adobe Illustrator to complete your design. You'll find Adobe Streamline 4.0 is the perfect companion to drawing programs such as Adobe Illustrator and Macromedia Freehand, whether you're a designer or user of graphics software. Streamline works seamlessly with the Adobe family of graphics software: Adobe Illustrator, Adobe PageMaker, and Adobe Photoshop--so it's simple to integrate converted bitmap images into the production process. Complete compatibility between the Macintosh and Windows 95 and Windows NT 4.0 versions means you can choose the platform for your best work and move files freely between systems.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great tool!, January 12, 2002

By 

brent atkinson (leeds, al United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Adobe Streamline 4.0 (Mac) [Old Version] (CD-ROM)

I primarily use this product to scan pen or pencil drawings into EPS or AI files for Adobe Illustrator. Works like a charm and is very simple.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Useful tool, but could use more support, September 8, 2002

By 

Alden Kroll (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Adobe Streamline 4.0 (Mac) [Old Version] (CD-ROM)

I purchased this tool for the purpose of scanning camera-ready Native-American artwork for touch-ups and digital prepress, and found it to work wonderfully well. In the two years since purchasing Streamline, however, I have found that the resulting quality degrades quickly with the quality of input. I still feel as though Adobe could have taken this software package one step further and provided a more robust support for conversion and covered a wider range of export options.