Re-sizing Elements

Good news! You already know 2/3rds of the different ways to resize! (And good news for me, this entry is half done already!)

In the Move Tool Basics entry, we covered
1. Bounding Box Dragging to resize, and
2. Percentage resizing.

Now we’re left with the 3rd main way to resize an image or element:
3. “Image > Image Size.”

(First of all, HOW CUTE is this picture of my best friend with her girls and my son?!!!)  This image shows how to get to "Image > Image Size."  While the first two ways for image size adjustment can be done to a layer within a layout, “Image > Image Size” adjustments need to be done before you move your image to the layout. (Also, it’s basically a big guessing game. But it DOES have its uses.) 

HOW TO DO IT:

With your picture selected and an approximate idea in your mind of what changes you plan to make, select “Image > Image Size” (as the above picture illustrates.)  When the "Image Size" box pops up, make absolute sure the “Constrain Proportions” box has a check in it (circled in red at right.  If this box isn't checked, you’ll lose any semblance of what your picture is supposed to look like! And that’s no fun.) See how both the pixel AND the inch dimensions are shown?  And how they’re in different outlined boxes, “Pixel Dimensions” and “Document Size”? One is a function of the other –- you only need to change one (and the other will automatically adjust.)  When working with pictures for a layout, it’s easier to work with inches (because you know how big your layout area is in inches and you can estimate.)

Type in a number next to inches for one dimension, and the other dimension will automatically change to maintain proportions (umm, ‘cause the box is checked like we talked about.)  For example, when I have an 8x12 picture and I replace the width’s “8” with a “4,” the “12” automatically changes to a “6.”  Or, a more realistic example, my camera brings in pictures at 8.64 x 6.48.  When I change the width to 4.2 (just for fun), the height automatically changes to 3.15.  (Dude, Photoshop is smart!)

You can make both inches and resolution changes at the same time, then hit “ok.” If the changes are major and you’re trying to enlarge the picture quite a bit, remember to do it gradually and in increments of like 10% (umm, ‘cause Scott Kelby says so), and keep an eye on image quality with each change.

Now “Image > Image Size” IS handy for changing the resolution of an image to make sure it matches other elements you’re going to use. (For example, when I am using a scanned image with less-than-stellar image quality, I might decide to make a layout at 200 ppi instead of 300 – but digi-scrappin’ elements all COME in 300 ppi. So I have a size problem!  Easy enough to solve -- I resize all elements down to 200 ppi before bringing them into my layout.

Also, I often use “Image > Image Size” to change 12x12 papers to fit my 8x8 layouts.  “Image > Image Size” is also handy for sizing an image down for web use by quickly changing the resolution and image size at once. (For example, the photos I post on my personal blog, I usually size to 100 ppi and 7 inches in height. All I have to do is open “Image > Image Size,” put “100” in resolution, “7” in height, and click “ok.” VERY easy.) [Note: you CAN also save for web through “File > Save for Web.” But I don’t have energy to explain that right now.]

I think the best way to resize an image for a layout is a combination of these three techniques (1. Bounding Box Dragging to resize, 2. Percentage resizing, and 3. “Image > Image Size.”)  I often use “Image > Image Size” to make an approximate adjustment, drag the photo over, then drag the image's bounding box for fine-tuning to work within the layout once I can see how the image actually looks compared to other layout elements.

Always remember if you’ve made changes to an original image’s size to NOT save over it when closing the file. (When Photoshop asks you “Save changes to the Adobe Photoshop {file name} Document before closing?” the answer is almost always NO!)

Umm, and that about covers it.  J