Resizing Layer Resolution

[NMarti]

Can anyone offer help on resizing a single layer in a mult-layer collage? I have to get the overall image size down to 7mb and it is currently 154 mb with all layers at 300dpi. I want to get the resolution to 150 on each layer and if I can individually resize the layers without having to delete the images and then re-apply them it would save a lot of work. The size has to stay 23 x 35 inches and this seems to be presenting a problem for me. Resizing the entire image resolution is not getting it small enough in size (mb) to fit within the rules of the site I'm trying to upload to.

The image is the Big Cat Rescue poster in my gallery. I am trying to upload to my on-line store and sell the poster with proceeds going to Big Cat Rescue. I don't want to have to rework the whole thing but I may have no choice.

All help gladly accepted! :lol:

[Pauline]

Nancy to upload it, I would flatten the image and then resize it for the web saving it under a different name. (that way you don't loose your layered file) From what I understand you want to have the poster to show people but there is no reason why you need to upload it in layers is there? If it's to be on the web then just use save to web, and pick your dimensions there. I hope I've explained this okay.

[NMarti]

Pauline,
If I upload it in a size for the web, will it print out sharp and clear? I had the poster printed already at 20 x 30 but my image was the full file size, just flattened. It was 14 mb and the Sony site has no size restrictions. The site I'm sending it to for Big Cat Rescue to use for printing is quite restrictive on image sizes. It needs to be good print quality as people will be able to order a 24 x 35 print from the site. If the resolution is reduced too much, I'm afraid the print quality will suffer and I definitely don't want that since it will be my work reputation on the line.
Nancy

[Wendy]

Hi Nancy ...

Individual layers don't have their own resolution ... they take on the resolution of the image they are added to.

Thats why when you add some images they are very large and you have to use the move tool to reduce their physical size. The easiest way I have found of understanding resolution is that the number of pixels in the image stay the same so if you increase the resolution (pixels per square inch) of the image the physical size gets smaller and if you decrease the resolution then the physical size gets bigger. Well thats providing you dont let Elements resample ..

Try it out on any image and do Image>Resize>Image Size. Now make sure that Resample is NOT ticked then try putting a different figure in the resolution box and she what happens in the Width and Height boxes.

Now with regard to your poster ... Your online store site should have details of maximum sizes for uploading and certainly for printing a layered file isn't needed. So flattening it before uploading should be done ... check with the site as a lot of sites don't uploaded layered files anyway.

I wonder if Jodi has any ideas on this one??


Wendy

[jo]

Nancy, try flattening the image, lowering the resolution, then crop a letter-sized section (or two) and save it for a test. Print that section yourself to see if it's a good enough resolution.

[NMarti]

Thanks Jo and Wendy,
I will give that a try. I did flatten it and lowered resolution to 150 and found it to still be 14 mb and the site only allows 7 mb. My problem is I started with resolutions at 300 dpi one each layer because I didn't think to reduce them when I did the original layout. It made for a beautiful print but is not practical for the store site. I'm gonna try your ideas and then if that does not help I guess I'll rework it from scratch with the upload limits in mind. Oh well! So much to learn and so little time to learn it! :wink:

[Karin Sue]

What format are you saving in?

I know tiff offers some compression options. I am not familiar with how to use them though.

Then, there is always jpeg. Have you tried setting the jpeg compression just low enough to get your desired file size, then do a trial partial print as suggested?

[Mary]

Try File | Save for Web| you can choose all your file sizes and physical sizes from there. :)

[NMarti]

Karen
I'm saving in jpeg because they require that or png. Their limit for jpeg is 7mb and for png is 4mb.
Nancy

[Wendy]

Nancy ...

Try flattening the image then use either Save for Web and reduce the physical size somewhat and maybe the quality too or try "Save As" and reduce the quality there.

Then try a printout and see how it looks ... I really don't think that starting again will help at all.

Wendy

[jo]

Flattening the image and reducing the ppi should reduce the file size but I don't know if you can get it down to 7 mg and keep the print quality. I don't think "save for web" works with such big files, though. You probably have to use "save as".

[Wendy]

Hi Jo ...

I just tried Save for Web on a 36MB file and it does work ... first it says its isn't meant for files that size then if you tell it to continue it resizes the file OK ... but it does take a while :)


Wendy

[NMarti]

Well - I finally did it but it did take starting from scratch to get the huge file down to size - almost. The smallest I could get was 8.3 mb and the site requests no larger than 7 mb but they did take it. I started with everything sized at 200 dpi from the start and then flattened it and it came in at 36 mb. Then I saved for the web and it looks like it will print okay but I guess the only way to tell is to order one and see. I really hate to have people order it and be disappointed so I probably will so I can pull it back down if the quality is not there. Thanks for all your help! Once again the masters to the rescue of us amateurs. :wink:

[Wendy]

Nancy ...

Do let us know how it looks when it is printed out :)


Wendy