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castelino33
Participant
March 10, 2017
Answered

Help with resolution and file size.

  • March 10, 2017
  • 4 replies
  • 743 views

This question was given to me by my design teacher. we have our own opinion, but I would like to know what would be your answer. 

Keeping width and height same, if we increase or decrease the resolution of the image file, do you think the file size will change?

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Conrad_C

castelino33  wrote

Keeping width and height same, if we increase or decrease the resolution of the image file, do you think the file size will change?

Uh oh. The question doesn't include enough information to provide a good answer. That's why, when you search for this topic on the Web, you see all kinds of confusion and arguments about the correct answer.

The correct answer depends on what the question means by "width and height."

  • If the width and height are in pixels, and the real world measurement (e.g. inches) is not fixed, then changing resolution will not change the file size. (This is like using the Photoshop Image Size command with the Resample option off.)
  • If the width and height are in a real world measurement (e.g., inches), then changing resolution will change the file size, because the number of pixels has to change in order to keep the width and height constant. (This is like using the Photoshop Image Size command with the Resample option on.)

Because the question doesn't say what width and height really mean, the question either needs to be more specific to get a good answer, or it's a trick question designed to provoke discussion and learning.

4 replies

gener7
Community Expert
gener7Community Expert
Community Expert
March 10, 2017

The only way to keep Image Pixel dimensions the same is to uncheck "Resample" so that you do not alter that, and that means the file size in Megabytes or Gigabytes will stay the same.

Resolution basically applies to Print and it is "metadata" or file information. It just tells the printer how many pixels to pack in an inch or centimeter. By turning off Resample, you can see how the Document size on paper changes when you change resolution.

You could even take out that Print metadata and it would not have any effect on the Image Size (pixel with and height). All it is, is instructions for the printer.

Image Size is the size of the digital image in pixels

Document Size refers to the size in inches or cm as printed on paper or any other material the printer uses

So is your instructor asking about the Image or the Document?

    Conrad_C
    Community Expert
    Conrad_CCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    March 10, 2017

    castelino33  wrote

    Keeping width and height same, if we increase or decrease the resolution of the image file, do you think the file size will change?

    Uh oh. The question doesn't include enough information to provide a good answer. That's why, when you search for this topic on the Web, you see all kinds of confusion and arguments about the correct answer.

    The correct answer depends on what the question means by "width and height."

    • If the width and height are in pixels, and the real world measurement (e.g. inches) is not fixed, then changing resolution will not change the file size. (This is like using the Photoshop Image Size command with the Resample option off.)
    • If the width and height are in a real world measurement (e.g., inches), then changing resolution will change the file size, because the number of pixels has to change in order to keep the width and height constant. (This is like using the Photoshop Image Size command with the Resample option on.)

    Because the question doesn't say what width and height really mean, the question either needs to be more specific to get a good answer, or it's a trick question designed to provoke discussion and learning.

      Derek Cross
      Community Expert
      Derek CrossCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      March 10, 2017

      As a student you should check this yourself and experiment. Have a look at: Image > File Size and experiment to see what happens when you change the  Resolution and you tick and untick the Resample box.

      C
      castelino33Author
      Participant
      March 10, 2017

      Yes! I have done my share of experiments. I just wanted to know the opinions other people have over this question.

      Thanks you for your reply.

      SuperMerlin
      SuperMerlin
      Inspiring
      March 10, 2017

      Yes, because you are resampling the image. If you just change the PPI then no change whatsoever

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