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Chapter 4 Sizing Digital Images
Resizing an Image Many of your images will probably not be sized to the exact dimensions you need. You have several options at your disposal. To change the size of an image, you can use the Image Size or Canvas Size commands. You can also use the Crop tool or Free Transform command to make an adjustment. You can use these choices individually or in combination to achieve the desired results.
Image Size The Image Size command lets you permanently reassign the total pixel count, as well as resolution, for a particular image. You can also use this command to upsample or downsample an image. This is an easy way to size an image to a specific height or width. Let’s put the command into action:
1. Open the fi le Ch04_Flower.tif from the Chapter 4 folder.
2. Choose Image > Image Size.
RETURN OF FOCUS When upsampling an image, you may notice visible softening. The more you enlarge the image, the more noticeable it will be. Enlargements greater than 30 percent can be particularly problematic. One approach to solving this issue is to sharpen the image. Applying the Smart Sharpen filter to a resampled image can help clarify the image details. You can find out more about sharpening images in Chapter 11, “Repairing and Improving Photos.”
The Image Size dialog box offers several choices. You can choose to manipulate the pixel dimensions of the image (measured in pixels or percent). You can also modify the print size, which is the size of the image when printed. You can modify the print size based on percent, inches, centimeters, millimeters, points, picas, or columns. The most common choices are percent, inches, or centimeters, because most users easily understand these units of measure.
3. Set the Document Size to measure in inches. Specify a new height of 4 inches.
4. Be sure to select the Resample Image option if you want to change the pixel dimensions. Choose the method to Resample Image that is most appropriate for your image. Bicubic is the most common method, but you may have special circumstances. See “Choose an Interpolation Method” earlier in this chapter.