Thresholding can turn a portrait, product, or animal into a clean silhouette, but a larger black shape is not automatically better. Identity often lives in gaps: chin to neck, arm to torso, mug handle to body, or wheel to frame.
The Voor silhouette maker is browser-local and free. Defaults are threshold 132, 0 px blur, invert off, transparent background on, shape #111111, 2x export, and 300 DPI metadata. It accepts JPG, PNG, or WebP up to 20 MB and does not upload or spend credits.
Define a gap contract
List the outline features that identify the subject, the gaps that must remain open, and rejection conditions such as floating islands or clipped hair. Watch one identity edge and one negative-space gap while moving threshold. Raise until the outer contour joins, then stop before the gap closes. If no value preserves both, improve the source crop or contrast.
Blur is not a repair for missing geometry. Add it only when a softer portrait edge is intentional.
Transparent PNG is useful as a raster source. The 2x option and 300 DPI metadata can create a larger handoff, but the output is still pixels, not a cutting path. For vinyl, laser, embroidery, or Cricut work, vectorize the approved PNG and proof bridges, holes, minimum widths, and scale in the production tool.
If selection is backward, use Invert. If cast shadow joins a product, crop or relight. If hair becomes noise, simplify it. If a handle disappears, lower threshold or choose an angle with clearer separation.
The deterministic workflow is choose one subject, name the gaps, tune threshold, inspect at final size, export. Apply the same gap contract in the live maker.