Setting the Output Size
Output Dimensions
To enlarge an image SizeFixer needs to determine how many pixels to add to the original file in order to produce the size of output required. It is important to remember that the size of the image you display in the preview window on screen is NOT the same as the print size - typically the pixels you see on the screen take up about 3 times more space than printed pixels, so you can expect the printed output to be about one third of the screen display size. This is because screen resolutions vary between 70 - 100 dpi, whereas printed images are usually at around 300dpi..
SizeFixer offers several methods for choosing the size of the output picture that you require:
- Specify the number of pixels that you require for the Output Dimensions and SizeFixer will determine the dimensions of the output document using the default value for DPI.
- Specify the 'Output Document Size' and DPI and SizeFixer will determine the required number of Pixels
- Specify the percentage increase in the output dimensions, width and/or height. 100% represents no increase and is the same as the input size. Please not that an increase of 200% in both the width and height will in effect increase the area of the picture by a factor of 4 or 400%.
In addition if you wish to enlarge only a portion of an image there are two modes for determing which portion of the image you wish to process.
- Crop and Enlarge: This allows you to decide first on a region of the source image that SizeFixer will use, and then decide how large you wish the output image to be.
- Scale to Fit: The other allows you to first select a size for the output image, and then choose how much of the source SizeFixer should use to fill it. Descriptions of both modes are shown below.
Restrictions on output size
SizeFixer is available in several derision and each has certain restrictions on the maximum output file size as follows.
SizeFixer XL has no specific restrictions applied to the enlarging process but the following file format limits apply::
- A maximum output size of 32000 pixels in each direction.- that is approximately 108" x108" (2590mm x 2590mm) at 300dpi . Lowering the resolution doesn't allow you to go beyond this limit - the limit is imposed by the total number of pixels that the Windows operating system
can address.
- A minimum magnification of around 33%. SizeFixer isn't really intended for downsizing, since its features give no benefit over other applications. The algorithms SizeFixer uses become counter productive below this boundary.
- A minimum pixel output size of 16 pixels in either dimension.
Additionally for other versions of SizeFixer, image processing limits apply as follows::
- SizeFixer SLR
: A maximum output size of approximately 68MPixels and a maximum of 9000 pixels in either direction, - that is equivalent to 35"or 891mm at 300dpi . Lowering the resolution doesn't allow you to go beyond this limit - the limit is set at the maximum number of pixels in the output image.
- SizeFixer Home: A maximum output size of approximately 13MPixels and a maximum of 3000 pixels in either direction, - that is equivalent to 11.6 " or 296mm at 300dpi . Lowering the resolution doesn't allow you to go beyond this limit - the limit is set at the maximum number of pixels in the output image.
- In addition because an image crop may be enlarged there is a requirement not to exceed the maximum addressable area permitted by Windows. This limit means that the output magnification factor multiplied by the number of pixels in the source image (regardless of the crop) can not exceed 32000 pixels. However, 32000 pixels is an extraordinarily large image, and most users will not hit this limit unless using a tiny crop of the source. A workaround is to 'pre-crop' the image.
Cropping modes
Mode 1: Optionally crop the input, then specify the output size
This mode is aimed at users who primarily wish to change the size of a certain section of the picture. The shape and size of the crop can be adjusted, and this will alter the numbers shown in the 'Output Dimensions' and 'Output Document Size' sections. If you do not specify a crop, the entire source image will be upsized.
Clicking the button marked 'Adjust the input crop...' will display the 'Adjust crop' form. The current crop is indicated by the thick red rectangle overlaying the image. You can alter the crop’s shape, size and position. See the section entitled ‘Adjusting the crop’ for more details.
Having adjusted the crop, you can then specify the size of the image that SizeFixer will output. See the section entitled 'Altering the output image size' for details on entering values. Any changes you make will NOT affect the crop you have chosen, and changes in width will be reflected in height (and vice versa) in order to preserve the aspect ratio determined by the crop. For example, if you double the value in the 'Width' box, the value in the 'Height' box will double as well.
Mode 2: Specify the output size, then position and scale the input crop
This mode is aimed primarily at users who wish to choose the size of the eventual output image, and then optionally decide how much of the source image to use to fill that size.
Entering values in the 'Output Dimensions' or 'Output Document Size' boxes will not affect the opposite dimension; doubling the value in the 'Width' box will not affect the 'Height' box. Instead, it will double the width of the crop in order to maintain aspect ratio. If it isn't possible to double the width of the crop, SizeFixer will instead half the height of the crop.
Once you've entered the size of image that you'd like SizeFixer to output, you can click the button titled 'Position and scale the crop'. A form will appear similar to that described in the 'Mode 1' section above. The difference is that you cannot change the shape of the crop, only its size and position. This has the effect of preserving the output image size you've already chosen.
Adjusting the crop
Depending on the current crop mode you’re using (see above), altering the crop can have a number of effects.
You can resize the crop by dragging the edges or corners of the red rectangle. You can move the crop by dragging the box. The mouse cursor will change to indicate what will happen if you begin dragging at the mouse location. The crop form can be resized by grabbing the edges or corners of the form; this will allow more accuracy for adjusting the crop.
Altering the output image size
The boxes you see are essentially the same as those found in other upsizing applications. To alter a variable, type in one of the boxes. The number will be validated when you press Enter or Tab to leave the current box, or click on another control of the application.
Next to the 'Width' and 'Height' boxes there are drop down boxes that can be used to choose the display unit. These units will be saved as preferences when the program exits.
Resample image
When the 'Resample image' checkbox is checked, altering an 'Output Dimensions' value will have a corresponding affect on the 'Output Document Size' and vice versa. Altering the 'Resolution' will change the 'Output Dimensions', leaving the size in inches/cm unchanged.
When the 'Resample image' checkbox is unchecked, changes you make will have no effect on the number of pixels that SizeFixer outputs; it will only affect the print resolution.
If an entered value cannot be validated, SizeFixer will use the closest valid number. It will also display a small red circle next to the offending text box. Holding the mouse over the red circle will display an explanation for the error. The circle will disappear when another, valid, value is entered, or after 30 seconds. You do not need to re-enter a value if you're happy with the number SizeFixer has chosen.
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