Free Transform Vs. Image Size – Quality Impact?

J
Posted By
Jameslp
Feb 18, 2009
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841
Replies
3
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Closed
I’m using Photoshop CS3 and I have a quick query regarding the difference in image quality between resizing an image using ‘Image Size’ compared to ‘Free Transform’.

I’m laying out several individual photographs on to a page (with some precision) and therefore using the transform function to scale the image to the right size is certainly the quickest and easiest option. However, I have always been keen to ensure maximum image quality and I don’t know if this will degrade the image more than resizing the image using ‘image size’ before pasting it (obviously with a lot more effort involved).

Any thoughts?
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S
stevent
Feb 18, 2009
When it was announced I was hoping there would be an option in CS4 (CS5?) to be able to choose an interpolation method when selecting free transform.

I have seen a big difference – depending on what’s being resized.
P
PeterK.
Feb 18, 2009
Free transform will use the settings in the first preferences panel under "image interpolation." Bicubic smoother being best for enlargements, bicubic sharper for reductions, so if you’re always going the same way (always sizing up or always sizing down) you can change it in preferences before you start doing your transforms. If you’re doing some of both, and the changes aren’t too drastic, you might be better off just leaving it at bicubic to save yourself some time. Additionally, converting the layer to a smart object will allow you to make as many adjustments as necessary without degrading the quality with each adjustment. The smart object will also inherit the interpolation settings set in your preferences panel.
J
Jameslp
Feb 18, 2009
Many thanks for your replies – that’s very useful.

I should have mentioned that I will always be resizing down. Also, when performing my standard method for resizing (using Image Size) I always stick to the standard Bicubic then follow up with sharpening (specific for my output). What you’ve told me is great as it means I can simply perform the transform of each image and then an output sharpening on the entire canvas. This should be equivalent to resizing, sharpening and then copy-paste of individual images to the same canvas.

Using smart objects (which I seldom do at the moment) is an interesting thought, which I’ll have to look into. I could copy a smart object from each of my source files, resize and then perform a smart object sharpening to them…

Many thanks again!

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