Choosing Parameters
The following sections describe the parameter tabs found in the pane on the left of the SizeFixer user interface.
Super resolution
Super resolution allows SizeFixer to upsize pictures whilst maintaining sharpness. SizeFixer uses similar technology to another of our products, FocusFixer, to model the lens of the camera that was used to take the photo. This allows us to effectively retain sharpness while upsizing.
Upsizing using super resolution is extremely computationally expensive, and while SizeFixer's internal algorithms have been extensively optimised, super resolution by necessity takes a long time to process. The results are worth it!
In order to effectively use super resolution, SizeFixer requires that the input image has a certain EXIF information attached. EXIF information is data attached to images by digital cameras. You can read more about it here.
There are three states that an image can belong to with regards to its EXIF data:
- Ideally, an image contains enough information to immediately use super resolution. This is true for the majority of images produced by mid- to high-range digital cameras. In this case, the 'Camera information' box shown in the screenshot to the right will inform you that SizeFixer has picked up enough information itself.
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Other images have some, but not enough EXIF data. In this case, super resolution can be used if you know the make and model of camera used to take the picture, and if SizeFixer supports that camera. You can view cameras in the two drop down boxes. We add more cameras all the time, so check our website if yours isn't in the lists.
- Some images just don't have enough data present. SizeFixer won't let you use super resolution if this is the case. Get in touch with us if you think this is in error.
If an image falls into the second category, you'll see something similar to the picture on the left.
SizeFixer won't let you adjust other super resolution parameters until a camera is chosen. The camera you choose will be remembered as a default for the next time you need to choose.
IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT CAMERA. The results will not look good if the wrong camera's chosen. SizeFixer will model the wrong lens, which then introduces problems.
The other settings available are the Speed / Quality setting (seen right), and the Radius and Threshold controls, which are found below the Speed / Quality settings. The four speed settings trade off (a little) quality against speed. As a general rule, processing under Very Good quality will take around 2-3 times longer than Fastest. Draft is the quickest setting. Generally, there isn't much in the way of enhanced quality, but some images will benefit from a higher quality setting. We suggest using 'Good' quality as a starting point.
If you've used one of other products, FocusFixer, the radius and threshold controls in SizeFixer work very similarly.
Radius effectively controls the amount of sharpening SizeFixer will introduce. Getting this right is fairly essential; you can get bad results with either too low or too high a value. Usage over time will give you a feel for estimating the correct value.
The threshold control reduces the effect the super resolution will have on flat areas of the image; this helps to reduce any noise amplification you may see in flat areas.
USM
Unsharp masking in SizeFixer works in a very similar fashion to unsharp masking in Photoshop. It's provided in SizeFixer in order to:
- Provide a little additional sharpening where needed.
- To provide a sharpening mechanism where super resolution isn't available or isn't giving the desired results.
Unsharp masking typically gives more artificial looking results than super resolution. It is, however, much quicker to compute.
Edge enhancement
The additional edge enhancement in SizeFixer increases the perceived sharpness at stong edges in the image. It can be used as an additional last stage where required. Over applying it will introduce a 'cartoony' effect. This can have particular application in computerised art / synthetic images, where the photographic basis for super resolution doesn't apply (and in fact will probably not work, since this kind of image won't contain information about the camera that took it).
Save options
The save options allow you to specify options relevant to how and where the output image will be stored.
Output Filename
Specify the filename with which the output image will be saved. Click the 'Browse' button to choose a directory and filename.
Output Bit Depth
Specify the output bit depth for the image.
The default is to match the input bit depth.
8-bit will result in an image with 8 bits per pixel per channel (e.g. 24-bits per pixel for an RGB image).
16-bit will output an image with 16 bits per per pixel per channel (e.g. 48-bits per pixel for an RGB image).
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