Improve low-resolution images: how to quickly clean the edges of objects?

[j_will_i]

I am searching for a simple and fast method (eg. through a filter) to convert low-resolution images objects' edges...

Hair apart, this is what I am searching for (simply a clean line, without fake sharpen/contrast effects):

Note: in this example, I am using a portion of a face but I am searching for something that works on any kind of object (a dress, a table a leg, etc.).

[Kevin Stohlmeyer]

Have you tried the new Neural Filter for JPG Artifact Removal?

[D Fosse]

Have you tried the new Neural Filter for JPG Artifact Removal?

By @Kevin Stohlmeyer

I've tried it, and I was actually very impressed. It absolutely works as advertised, and it will also remove some of the halos you can see here, which is specifically a jpeg compression artifact (not sharpening artifact).

But a one-click automatic solution to get perfectly crisp edges (like the examples) is IMO unrealistic. I would expect some further filtering to be required here.

[j_will_i]

Yes but that is not exactly what I am searching for, I am searching for something like a total redraw of the line...

[Ranjisha Sengupta]

Hi there,

Thanks for reaching out. We understand your concern and are here to help.

Which version of Photoshop are you using? As you know, Photoshop is very powerful software; there are hopes to get the picture back in form.

There are different tools and procedures to do it. I am listing a few youtube tutorials below; please have a look;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZXT2mMr-IU  (For 2 colors)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWAtYPMqPkw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaxd39KNS6k

Let us know if this helps.

Regards

Ranjisha

[j_will_i]

Thanks but I have already seen them, I am searching for something like a total redraw of the line...

[c.pfaffenbichler · Accepted solution]

Your expectation is unrealistic. 

In the images you posted it is obviously impossible to recreate the individual pieces of hair that form a »solid« strand in the lores image from that. (Unless you are speaking about a layered lores image in which the original image is embedded as a Smart Object, but I wouldn’t expect you do.) 

You could check out Topaz Gigapixel, in some cases it might produce better results than Photoshop’s resampling methods. 

[j_will_i]

Thanks, maybe topaz could be the right solution.

[c.pfaffenbichler]

I think they recently released some facial reconstruction feature … but bear in mind: If an application creates detail for hair, eyelashes, irises etc. that is simply not present in the source image then the resulting image should be considered more like a painting than a photograph.