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LottieDa903
Participant
March 20, 2024
Question

Pixelated linked files after exporting for screens

  • March 20, 2024
  • 3 replies
  • 391 views

I have an Illustrator project that is 1200 x 1200 pixels. I placed an RGB, PSD file that is way big enough (8600 x 6000) in the layout, but everytime I "export for screens" the linked image comes out pixelated/has jagged edges. I have other placed PSD files in the layout as well and there is no issue with those images. I've never had this issue when exporting for screens.

 

Any help or any other troubleshooting ideas are much appreciated!

 

Troubleshooting I've tried:

1) Noticed the placed image was CMYK, changed it to RGB, exported for screens and same result.

2) Replaced it with a PNG file, exported for screens and same result.

3) Resized it (making it smaller) since it was larger than the layout, exported for screens and same result.

4) Started a new file, exported for screens and same result.

 

** I found a work around: I just tried the "Export As" option at 300dpi, then took the file into Photoshop and resized it to 72dpi. It looks good, but I'm wondering why this was happening with the "export for screens" option. As I mentioned earlier, I haven't ever run into this issue with that exporting option.

    3 replies

    Ton Frederiks
    Community Expert
    Ton FrederiksCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    March 20, 2024

    What do you export to? JPEG, PNG? Anti -aliasing; Art or Type-optimized? Is the placed image rotated?

    B
    Community Expert
    Bobby HendersonCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    March 20, 2024

    When exporting for screens are you exporting artwork meant to fill a given computer monitor layout (such as 1920 X 1080 pixels) or are you exporting art to fit in a certain footprint for something like a web page?

     

    Either way, the 8600 X 6000 pixel artwork from Photoshop will be down-sampled to a smaller size. After all there are no computer monitors that can display 8600x6000 pixels. The edge detail of various elements in the artwork will be anti-aliased (blurry) if the edges aren't landing on the edges of the pixel grid at the new, down-sampled size.

     

    DPI/PPI ratings (such as 300ppi) don't really mean anything in relation to creating graphics for display on electronic screens, be it a computer monitor, smart phone or LED jumbotron on a sign. The physical pixel layout of the electronic display is all that matters. DPI/PPI settings really only apply to print-based work.

     

    It is possible to create graphics that are "pixel perfect" or at least have various items lining up with the pixel grid as best as possible. But the artwork has to be designed with this specific pixel grid in mind from the start.

    Anubhav M
    Community Manager
    Anubhav MCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    March 20, 2024

    Hello @LottieDa903,

    We understand that encountering technical issues can be frustrating. Would you mind sharing more details, like the exact version of the OS/Illustrator, link to a sample AI and output file after uploading it to Dropbox/Google Drive/etc., and screenshots of the settings used, so we can investigate this further?


    Looking forward to hearing from you.

     

    Thanks,

    Anubhav

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