Improving images downloaded from the internet - SBB Digital Scrapbooking Forums | Scrapbook-Bytes

Marina B · #1 (**permalink**) 02-25-2005

Sometimes I take images (free ones, of course) from the internet and use them on layouts. Of course, on the internet they are low resolution and are very small. I read that there is a way to improve the quality, I think by resampling it, but I couldn't understand how from that description. I would like to be able to enlarge the images without them looking so pixellated. Can anyone help me with this?

Thanks for your help

ptknox · #2 (**permalink**) 02-25-2005

Hi Marina!
We need to know what software you are using. For example, I can give you some help if you are using Adobe Photoshop or Photoshope Elements...but my instructions would probably not be accurate if you're using Paint Shop Pro or some other program. If we know what you are using I guarantee that SOMEONE will offer you some help...that's what's so great about this place!

guikrazy · #3 (**permalink**) 02-25-2005

Pattie, if it is not too much trouble, could you please say what to do with Photoshop. I too would like to know how to do this.

Thanks!

kindarana · #4 (**permalink**) 02-25-2005

Two things to note:
-Watch out for copyright violations
-If you found a small one on the internet, chances are you can find a bigger one, and original resolution is always better than sizing up. Google Images can filter by image size so you only see big ones.

I know on CSI and stuff they always show them taking these really tiny grainy security camera images and suddenly they can read the name on someone's jacket - there isn't really software that can do that. So if that's the kind of results you're hoping for, well, sorry

ptknox · #5 (**permalink**) 02-25-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by guikrazy

Pattie, if it is not too much trouble, could you please say what to do with Photoshop. I too would like to know how to do this.

Quote:

Originally Posted by guikrazy

Thanks!

No trouble at all! When you downloaded a graphic from the Internet it's usually going to be 72 dpi resolution. You want it to be 300 dpi, but just changing the 72 to 300 in Photoshop's "Resize" feature is going to resample the image and give you a fuzzy looking end result.

Here's how I do it: Choose "Image" "Image Size" from the top menu in Photoshop. In the Image Size dialog box UNCHECK the box next to "Resample Image" and then change the 72 resolution to 300. Click O.K. It won't appear that anything has happened, but if you go to "View" "Print View" you'll see the new size as it will print. Chances are that it's going to be VERY small.

We all know what happens if you try to increase the size of the graphic by a large percentage. Fuzzy, yucky looking results there too! HOWEVER, for some reason that I can't explain if you increase the size by 10% at a time you can take the image up to a pretty large graphic with no visible reduction of quality.

Go back to "Image" "Image Size" and REcheck the "Resample Image" box. (VERY IMPORTANT!) Now in "Document Size" area use the little down arrows to change Inches (your's may say Pixels rather than Inches depending on how you've configured your preference) to PERCENT. Type 110 in the width box and the height box and click OK. Repeat until the image is the size that you want.

I use this SO frequently that I created an action which I assigned to my F11 key and now after I have manually changed the 72 to 300 I just keep hitting the F11 key to increase by 10% each time I hit it.

Hope this made sense and helps some!

Emma · #6 (**permalink**) 02-25-2005

Some options are:

Make it to 150 or 200 ppi instead of 300. It'll still print as well as possible, but won't be quite as tiny. To help that create that whole layout at 200. You won't notice any difference in printing, even my 150 layouts turn out really well, and the 200 ones I can't tell the difference at all. But when using low-res graphics it's a big help! I just stopped using 300 altogether, my computer is a lot happier, especially Paint Shop Pro

also, when resizing in Photoshop, go to the Image>Resize dialog and increase the pixels per inch to whatever number you decide. Follow the instructions to resize in increments with one addition:
choose Bicubic Smooth in the resampling box. It'll help with the graininess.

Be prepared to neaten it up once it's resized using the Filter>Noise>Median filter (blur the center areas leaving the edge sharp), Dust & Scratch remover, or using something like Neat Image software. Paint Shop Pro has a great Scratch Remover brush, and a v9 has a good Noise Remover filter

You may also have areas needing touched up with the Clone Tool.

So hopefully you reaaaaaalllly want this graphic. You can stop at any point in this process, depending on how important it is for detail with each image.

also, check out www.imageafter.com and www.sxc.hu for free, high resolution photos and textures. I don't have to mess with low-res from Google since finding those sites.

Let us know how it looks when you're done!

Marina B · #7 (**permalink**) 02-25-2005

I'm using Photoshop 7. These are great tips. Thank you very much.

laurieg · #8 (**permalink**) 02-25-2005

Pattie you rock!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for explaining this! I remember talk awhile back about this 110% rule, but I forgot about it.

I decided to check the internet for a tut on how to create an action (so I wouldn't have to bother Pattie- LOL) Here's a good one I found:
http://www.cbtcafe.com/photoshop/actions/

I assigned the 110% image increase to F2- wow I'm gonna make more actions- now that I finally know how

I swear I learn something new about photoshop every day! Thanks again Pattie!