Resizing multiple files

[photokiwi]

hi,

I want to resize many of my photos to 300ppi so i went to file>process batch or something like that and clicked on the resize tick box with 300ppi. When i looked at the processed image afterwards the number of pixels had tripled so it had obviously resampled my image rather than just chaging the ppi setting. Can anyone please help me?

[MazG]

There doesn't appear to be an option in the batch processing area for selection whether or not to resample.

What I'm wondering though, is why your photos aren't automatically 300ppi, as that seems to be the default. I think the batch area is only designed for changing the dimensions in conjunction with the ppi (for example, to post to an online gallery 800x600 in 72ppi).

If they aren't 300 ppi you might try checking under Edit, Preferences, Units & Rulers, New Document Present Print Resolution is 300, which I think might control the ppi you see in the status bar bottom left (mine says 10x6 inches at 300).

[dj_paige]

Photos from different cameras and scanners can show up at something other than 300 ppi. There is no default value.

As to the original question, its not clear why you want to change the ppi on your photos, but leave the pixel dimensions the same. In fact, the only reason I can think of to change the ppi without resampling is ... um ... okay, I can't think of one.

When you go to print, either you have enough pixels for that specific printer at that specific size or not, and setting the ppi at 300 allows PSE to quickly tell you if you can print at that size (assuming your printer requires 300 ppi), but the bottom line is you have to have enough pixels. So having the ppi at 300 might be a mathematical convenience, but you still have to have enough pixels.

[photokiwi]

dj_paige i think i see what your saying. You can select the 300ppi at the printer stage? and it doesnt change how many pixels are in your photo it just makes the printed output bigger or smaller depending on what you changed it too.

MazG as far as im aware there is no default for editing existing photos eg. open up your photo and it says 72ppi. I know its like you say for new documents you can but not for existing ones.

[dj_paige]

dj_paige i think i see what your saying. You can select the 300ppi at the printer stage? and it doesnt change how many pixels are in your photo it just makes the printed output bigger or smaller depending on what you changed it too.

Most printers I know of will want to know what size to print at. For example, you may tell a printer to print 4x6 (inches). If you have enough pixels, which for many printers is 230 or 240 ppi, then you get a print. If you don't have enough pixels then you probably get an error message or warning. I haven't seen a printer ask you for the ppi of your photo and then go ahead and print to whatever size results (there may be some printers like this, but I haven't seen one).

[TonyW]

I'm like Paige - I rarely if ever change the resolution of the image as it really isn't very relevant for anything - it's the number of pixels that is the only thing that matters. When you print and select the paper size, fit on page and scale to fit media (different versions might use different words) Elements will show you what the print resolution will be when you go to print it.

300 ppi being needed for printing is one of those commonly seen statements that just isn't right. The optimum depends on the printer as well as the size of the print. If you really picky then Epson printers prefer multiples of 120 (eg 240 or 360), Canons prefer multiples of 100 (eg 200 or 300) but for all practical purposes it doesn't matter as long as you have enough pixels (and Elements will warn you if you don't)

Tony