Change pixel dimensions of an image – Adobe Photoshop CS3 User Manual
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PHOTOSHOP CS3
User Guide
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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 Size dialog 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 anti-aliased, 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.
See also
Change pixel dimensions of an image
Changing an image’s pixel dimensions affects not only its on-screen size but also its image quality and its printed
characteristics—either its printed dimensions or its image resolution.
1
Choose Image > Image Size.
2
To maintain the current ratio of pixel width to pixel height, select Constrain Proportions. This option automati-
cally updates the width as you change the height, and vice versa.
3
Under Pixel Dimensions, enter values for Width and Height. To enter values as percentages of the current dimen-
sions, choose Percent as the unit of measurement. The new file size for the 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.