Best way to UPREZZ an image?

Forum|Forum|4 years ago
June 1, 2021
5 replies
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What is the best way to increase the size of an image and no get too much pixellation? I've used Genuine Fractels in the past and ON1 Resize. I used these programs as plugins to Photoshop, but they aren't compatable with 2021.

How to

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Correct answer Conrad_C

I wonder if there are comparison tests for Photoshop upscaling vs ON1 Resize, to understand the advantage of using a plugin?

There are a number of articles and YouTube videos comparing different resizing software, so there are probably some comparing On1 Resize against Photoshop. The question is which ones compare against the more recent Photoshop improvements, such as Preserve Details 2.0 and Super Resolution in Camera Raw.

The one getting all the attention today is Topaz Gigapixel AI, a plug-in/application based on machine learning. Adobe came out with their machine-learning powered Camera Raw Super Resolution upscaler after that.

So if you can find any, a useful comparison would be between:

Topaz Gigapixel AI
On1 Resize
Adobe Photoshop Preserve Details & Preserve Details 2.0
Adobe Camera Raw Super Resolution

I just found this recent article by Greg Benz and it looks like a good one, it does compare those: The best software for beautiful large prints?

Nancy OShea

Community Expert

With pixel-based images, up-scaling from low-res to hi-res rarely works without pixelation of some kind. It's just the nature of the beast. For best results, find out what output is required BEFORE you start your project and build it to those specifications.

The only exception is when math-based vector images are used. Vectors created in Illustrator can handle any scale -- large or small -- without loss in quality.

Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert

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dchapskAuthor

Known Participant

Thanks Nancy and Stephen. I'm well-aware of the protocols in planning projects and size application of attwork. I'm often faced with projects, where an element or more need uprezzing to match the rest of the art format. For these kind of problems, we need software with algorhithms that will artfully enlarge pixels and mask pixelization.

Nancy OShea

Community Expert

The first thing I learned in photography and later in computer programming was 1. "you never get something for nothing" and 2. "there's always a tradeoff somewhere."

If you can live with the results from up-sizing which essentially adds pixels where none existed before, fine. But don't expect perfection.

Good luck with your project!

Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert

Stephen Marsh

Community Expert

Some people blindly follow a formula of 300ppi at final print size, without considering the variables of image content, output method and viewing distance/conditions.

This may not be your situation, however, it is always worth keeping in mind.

Conrad_C

Community Expert

Plug-ins are no longer the only option you have. You can also try the advanced resizing features that were added to recent versions of Photoshop.

Some time ago Adobe added more upscaling options to the Image > Image Size command, such as Bicubic Smoother (Enlargement), Preserve Details, and Preserve Details 2.0. (To see Preserve Details 2.0, you must first enable it in the Technology Previews pane of the Preferences dialog box.) Some of those newer options may be competitive with older upscaling plug-ins.

The current version of Adobe Camera Raw adds the new Super Resolution option in the Enhance feature. Super Resolution can be competitive with many of the latest upscaling plug-ins because like them, it’s powered by machine learning. It may not beat all of the current plug-ins, but the point is that if Super Resolution is good enough, you don’t have to go spend more money to upgrade a plug-in just for resizing.

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dchapskAuthor

Known Participant

This is gret, Conrad. I was looking for this kind of info. Wondering if Photoshop upscaling technology has evolved to take the place of third-party plugins. I've used Genuine Fractals and then Perfect Resize for years. It always struck me as something of an extra step to what Adobe should offer as a function of their software.