Cropping Resolution

[MichaelRS]

A photo changes resolution when I crop a photo without putting the same number resolution in the toolbar. Why is that? I would think the resolution would remain the same regardless of how it is cropped.

The big question is this. Because of what happens above, if I put the resolution number to remain the same (say 300) does elements resample the image in order to constrain the resolution?

Also, does anyone know if you can change the default font in this thread editor. Veranda drives me nuts.:p

[MikeH]

Michael,

Are you using a preset crop size..? PSE changes the resolution to fit the preset size in the same way when you resize an image.

Mike

[Jodi Frye]

When using the crop tool be sure to leave the resolution box blank so that the image is not resampled one way or another. Resizing from a digital camera image should be done through Image>resize>image size. Uncheck 'resample' and put in the dimension width or height that comes closest to the final output size you desire ( you wont get a perfect 8 X 10 or 5 X 7 etc... from a digital image ) You'll notice that the size you put in will affect the resolution of your image...since you are not resampling. For image destined to print one should never go below 150...average for good print is 240 while best is 300-360. Tho not all printers will think past 300. Click OK when you are done and then use the crop tool to get the exact size you desire ( there are preset options available for this tool ) and again be sure to leave resolution box blank.

You can change your thread font by going to your User CP and setting up your custom options for replying to threads.

[GaryK]

Michael

One thing I had trouble getting my head around, was "how does it crop to a certain soze when the crop tool allows you to resize" (with constrained proportions). If you pick 5x7 crop, you really have an ifinite number of crops in your picture. From say just a head to the whole body.
In the end I figured it must just change the resolution. Good thing it doesn't resample automatically.:)

[Chuck S.]

My way of getting my head around this is that the image when open in Element, it has no intrinsic linear dimensions, only pixel dimensions. When I crop, I throw away pixels and therefore the pixel dimensions change. When I use Image>Resize>Image Size to associate linear (inch) dimensions with the cropped picture, the calculated resolution just falls out of the equation (length in pixels divided by new length in inches= resolution in pixels per inch). When I do this "resize", though, the pixel dimensions from the cropping remain unchanged - so long as resample is unchecked.

Tough concept, though....not totally intuitive.

Chuck

[MichaelRS]

I have been using the preset 4x6. How does that effect the resolution?

Jodi, when I crop I don't want to resize the whole image. When I start the whole image is at 300. When I crop leaving the resolution blank I end up with a resolution of 157, something I defintely don't want to use for printing. The question is how do I crop an image without losing that quality of resolution. Does it automatically resample if I put 300 in the resolution box of the crop tool? If it does, how do I maintain the hi quality of 300?

If in fact I do change the size through the image resizing, I end up with a resolution of 166, again not something I want to print from. If I then crop from that I end up with a resolution of 157 again. Again, how do maintain the resolution without resampling?

Jodi, being the dense, blind (my wife says I must be blind because I can't see something even when it's right in front of my eyes) I couldn't find where you are talking about in my user CP. I couldn't find anything about custom options for replying to threads. Sorry for my obtusenesss.:o

Michael

[virgo1]

Michael,
Start with the camera. Shoot with the largest size and with the finest setting your camera can do.
Eva ;)

[GaryK]

Hey Michael

The short answer is you can't keep the resolution without resampling. Sorry.

It is a tough concept to get your head around. The problem is when you crop you usually want to take a smaller part of a picture and make it fit into a bigger size. If you had a 4x6, you could still pick a 4x6 crop and just pick a portion of that picture. If the original was 300 ppi how could the portion retain that resolution, when you would be enlarging it.

If you used the marquee selection tool with your rulers on, it may help you understand a bit. Constrain the marquee to 4x6 (change the mode to fixed aspect and enter 4x6 in the width and height). You can make that box 4x6 but any area of the picture. From just the corner to almost the whole thing. If you watch the ruler that means the size will change. If the portion you pick is only 2" x 3" then to get 4x6 picture size it will have to be enlarged it.

[MichaelRS]

Gary,

Thanks for the tip. I played with it and found that using the marquee tool actually allows me to crop the image and maintain the same resolution without resampling. I set it for a fixed aspect ratio and then used Grant's Tools to adjust the box to what I wanted cropped. I then went to Image->Crop and it cropped it without changing the resolution. Yeah!:):):)

[Jodi Frye]

Micheal> user CP>Edit options>Misc option>Enhanced interface.

Unfortunetly if you aren't starting with alot of pixels from get go it can be tough to crop small areas from photos and still maintain a good size and dpi for printing. What camera are you using ?

[MichaelRS]

Jodi-
I have a Nikon D70. I am shooting at the highest resolution so I don't think it is that.

Have you tried it with the marquee tool before. Do you know if that way results in resampling?

As to the other, that's what I thought but when I go all I get is this: http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=18QqGWsEt6DWXKsua8wtiX6PQ5J3bM1
Now I know you are going to tell me something that I am going to go, "duh" to.:D

Michael

[Jodi Frye]

yup, marquee tool works. Just select rec marquee at fixed size,put in desired dimensions,click withing image, keep mouse held down while you position selection to desired location. Then go to Image>crop. It wont resample. Of course D70 gives you enough pixels so not sure ...unless you are taking a very small selection from the image then wish to bump it up to a large 8 X 10 or something....that would be the only problem. In camera editing and cropping usually works better :) ...please don't slap me ;)

Yup, you got the right screen...just click 'save changes' and you should be good to go.

[MichaelRS]

I just read a great article about this in the Christmas 2005 Digital Camera World. It's in Printing Technique. If you can get your hands on it it's worth the read. It's really a great magazine. I wish it wasn't so hard to get here in the States as it comes from England. Too bad the US doesn't have anything comparable.

And Jodi, at the risk of you wanting to slap me when I click save changes it doesn't do anything. I don't know how to actually go in and change the default font to something else. Isn't this soooooo important that I keep asking about something this dumb?:rolleyes: If I can't figure it out from here then I deserve having to change it every time I write! Thank God I'm not this dense with a camera.:D

Michael

[GaryK]

Michael

One thing about using the marquee tool to crop. You still may not have a 4"x6" image, just a 4x6 aspect ratio. If in fact you have selected a 2"x3" area (or some ratio of 4x6) then the resizing is done at print time. (If that makes sense):)

[Jodi Frye]

Slap ! :) Do You have this screen ?

http://img328.imageshack.us/img328/6008/screenshot9pr.th.jpg (http://img328.imageshack.us/my.php?image=screenshot9pr.jpg)

this should be the screen you get when you choose it from the options..the one we discussed earlier. Then just click the little drop down arrow next to Verdana and choose a dif font.

[MichaelRS]

Jodi-

This is rocket science, right?:rolleyes: No that doesn't come up. The only thing I get when I choose edit options is this. http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1pPueC05OFaaLrHbNo5MGJg7BBgAPe Clicking on "save options" doesn't do anything.

Please feel free to ignore the inanity that this has sunk to if you want.

Michael

[GaryK]

Michael

That is the reply to thread screen. Once you have changed to advanced interface (or whatever it is called in the user cp) then you should have that reply screen.
Then you can chage the font:D

We know it's in front of you...you just aren't seeing it:D :D

[MichaelRS]

If someone has a website or such that they would be willing to link to and they would like to read it I'll gladly make a copy of that article from Digital Camera World.

Michael