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Elizaveta26409616ucas
Participant
Jul 23, 2026 1:03 PM UTC
Answered

Scaling an inserted image messes it up completely

 

 

When inserting a high resolution image into another one and scaling the former down to a required size, it loses all sharpness and becomes super blurry, why? Also when trying to seize it back up to its original size it remains blurry .

c.pfaffenbichler
c.pfaffenbichlerCorrect answer
Community Expert
Jul 23, 2026 2:31 PM UTC

I asked for a screenshot at View > 100% for a reason. 

 

The Smart Object-instance cannot have a different resolution from the containing image (unlike in Illustrator or Indesign where different pixel-elements may have different resolutions); so the pixelation seems as expected when one looks at the background, which is just as pixelated. 

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6 replies

Stephen Marsh
Community Expert
Stephen MarshCommunity Expert
Community Expert
Jul 23, 2026 10:00 PM UTC

Factors to consider:

 

  • Resampling method
  • Pixel dimensions and resolution of the placed image before resizing
  • Pixel dimensions and resolution of the receiving document 
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    c.pfaffenbichler
    Community Expert
    c.pfaffenbichlerCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    Jul 24, 2026 6:30 AM UTC
    • Resampling method

    Good point! 

    ​@Elizaveta26409616ucas , what is your Photoshop > Settings > General > Image Interpolation setting? 

     

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    c.pfaffenbichler
    Community Expert
    c.pfaffenbichlerCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    Jul 23, 2026 2:06 PM UTC

    Another point: While the transformation remains unconfirmed the transformation is previewed and not calculated at full quality. (edited)

     

     

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      c.pfaffenbichler
      Community Expert
      c.pfaffenbichlerCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      Jul 23, 2026 2:03 PM UTC

      Did you place the image as a Smart Object? (If not then downsampling destroyed detail and upsampling will naturally not recreate it.) 

      Could you please post a screenshot taken at View > 100% with the pertinent Panels (Toolbar, Layers, Channels, Options Bar, …) visible? 

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      Elizaveta26409616ucasAuthor
      Participant
      Jul 23, 2026 2:24 PM UTC

      Hello, 

       

      yes, it is a smart object, and the original picture is high resolution before i scale it

       

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        c.pfaffenbichler
        Community Expert
        c.pfaffenbichlerCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
        Community Expert
        Jul 23, 2026 2:31 PM UTC

        I asked for a screenshot at View > 100% for a reason. 

         

        The Smart Object-instance cannot have a different resolution from the containing image (unlike in Illustrator or Indesign where different pixel-elements may have different resolutions); so the pixelation seems as expected when one looks at the background, which is just as pixelated. 

        Translate
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