About Pixel Dimensions and Printed Image Resolution
About Pixel Dimensions and Printed Image Resolution
About Pixel Dimensions and Printed Image Resolution
File size
The file size of an image is the digital size of the image file, measured in
kilobytes (K), megabytes (MB), or gigabytes (GB). File size is proportional
to the pixel dimensions of the image. Images with more pixels may
produce more detail at a given printed size, but they require more disk
space to store and may be slower to edit and print. Image resolution thus
becomes a compromise between image quality (capturing all the data you
need) and file size.
Another factor that affects file size is file format. Because of the varying
compression methods used by GIF, JPEG, PNG, and TIFF file formats, file
sizes can vary considerably for the same pixel dimensions. Similarly, color
bit-depth and the number of layers and channels in an image affect file
size.
Photoshop supports a maximum pixel dimension of 300,000 by 300,000
pixels per image. This restriction places limits on the print size and
resolution available to an image.
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Screen frequency is the number of printer dots or halftone cells per inch
used to print grayscale images or color separations. Also known as screen
ruling or line screen, screen frequency is measured in lines per inch (lpi)
or lines of cells per inch in a halftone screen. The higher the resolution of
the output device, the finer (higher) a screen ruling you can use.
The relationship between image resolution and screen frequency
determines the quality of detail in the printed image. To produce a
halftone image of the highest quality, you generally use an image
resolution that is from 1.5 to at most 2 times the screen frequency. But
with some images and output devices, a lower resolution can produce
good results. To determine your printers screen frequency, check your
printer documentation or consult your service provider.
Note:
Some imagesetters and 600-dpi laser printers use screening technologies
other than halftoning. If you are printing an image on a nonhalftone
printer, consult your service provider or your printer documentation for
the recommended image resolutions.
If your image resolution is more than 2.5 times the screen ruling, an alert
message appears when you try to print the image. This means that
the image resolution is higher than necessary for the printer. Save a copy
of the file, and then reduce the resolution.
1. Choose Image > Image Size.
2. Click Auto.
3. For Screen, enter the screen frequency for the output device. If
necessary, choose a different unit of measurement. Note that the
screen value is used only to calculate the image resolution, not to
set the screen for printing.
4. For Quality, select an option:
Draft
Produces a resolution that is the same as the
screen frequency (no lower than 72 pixels per
inch).
Good
Produces a resolution 1.5 times the screen
frequency.
Best
Produces a resolution 2 times the screen frequency.
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Resampling
Resampling is changing the amount of image data as you change either
the pixel dimensions or the resolution of an image. When
you downsample (decrease the number of pixels), information is deleted
from the image. When you resample up (increase the number of pixels,
or upsample), new pixels are added. You specify an interpolation method
to determine how pixels are added or deleted.
Resampling pixels
A. Downsampled B. Original C. Resampled up (selected pixels displayed for each set of
images)
Keep in mind that resampling can result in poorer image quality. For
example, when you resample an image to larger pixel dimensions, the
image loses some detail and sharpness. Applying the Unsharp Mask filter
to a resampled image can help refocus the image details.
You can avoid the need for resampling by scanning or creating the image
at a sufficiently high resolution. If you want to preview the effects of
changing pixel dimensions on-screen or to print proofs at different
resolutions, resample a duplicate of your file.
Photoshop resamples images using an interpolation method to assign
color values to any new pixels based on the color values of existing pixels.
You can choose which method to use in the Image Sizedialog box.
Nearest Neighbor
A fast but less precise method that replicates the pixels in an image. This
method is for use with illustrations containing edges that are not antialiased, to preserve hard edges and produce a smaller file. However, this
method can produce jagged effects, which become apparent when you
distort or scale an image or perform multiple manipulations on a
selection.
Bilinear
A method that adds pixels by averaging the color values of surrounding
pixels. It produces medium-quality results.
Bicubic
A slower but more precise method based on an examination of the values
of surrounding pixels. Using more complex calculations, Bicubic produces
smoother tonal gradations than Nearest Neighbor or Bilinear.
Bicubic Smoother
A good method for enlarging images based on Bicubic interpolation but
designed to produce smoother results.
Bicubic Sharper
A good method for reducing the size of an image based on Bicubic
interpolation with enhanced sharpening. This method maintains the detail
in a resampled image. If Bicubic Sharper oversharpens some areas of an
image, try using Bicubic.
You can specify a default interpolation method to use whenever
Photoshop resamples image data. Choose Edit > Preferences > General
(Windows) or Photoshop > Preferences > General (Mac OS), and then
choose a method from the Image Interpolation Methods menu.
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image appears at the top of the Image Size dialog box, with the
old file size in parentheses.
4. Make sure that Resample Image is selected, and choose an
interpolation method.
5. If your image has layers with styles applied to them, select Scale
Styles to scale the effects in the resized image. This option is
available only if you selected Constrain Proportions.
6. When you finish setting options, click OK.
For best results when you produce a smaller
image, downsample and apply the Unsharp Mask
filter. To produce a larger image, rescan the image
at a higher resolution.
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choose an interpolation
method.
To change the print dimensions
and resolution without
changing the total number of
pixels in the image, deselect
Resample Image.
3. To maintain the current ratio of image width to image height,
select Constrain Proportions. This option automatically changes
the width as you change the height, and vice versa.
4. Under Document Size, enter new values for the height and width.
If desired, choose a new unit of measurement. Note that for
Width, the Columns option uses the width and gutter sizes
specified in the Units & Rulers preferences.
5. For Resolution, enter a new value. If desired, choose a new unit of
measurement.
To restore the initial values displayed in the Image
Size dialog box, hold down Alt (Windows) or Option
(Mac OS), and click Reset.
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