I am working on a business card for my computer business.
I have a jpeg that I am trying to reduce in size.
I tried saving as a .bmp and then reducing, but the images looks crappy.
Any suggestions?
depending on what it looks like, you may want to use vector graphics
InkScape is a free program (think that's right)
if you have a logo, you may want to reduce it as a bitmap, then place it on the vector image
or - convert the reduced vector image, then add the logo
EDIT - in some cases, you may have to create the card at the size you want to end up with
I recently had a similar problem, 'upgrading' of a screenshot to a 300dpi tiff image as requested by professional editors.
After trying PaintShop and Gimp, I ended up with ImageMagick (http://www.imagemagick.org/script/index.php). Freeware, and there is a commandline interface, too.
C:\Program Files\ImageMagick-6.6.5-Q8\convert.exe MyFile.jpg -filter cubic -resize 400% MyFile.bmp
would be a first step; then perhaps
C:\Program Files\ImageMagick-6.6.5-Q8\convert.exe MyFile.bmp -filter cubic -resize 40% MyFile.gif
or similar - you will have to test it.
GIMP or Photoshop have always worked quite well for this. Always using the best/highest resolution source helps.
Another option is XnView Portable :
http://portableapps.com/apps/graphics_pictures/xnview_portable
QuoteFeatures
* Import about 400 graphic file formats
* Export about 50 graphic file formats
Quote from: clive on November 22, 2010, 04:34:56 PM
GIMP or Photoshop have always worked quite well for this. Always using the best/highest resolution source helps.
The image I downloaded is a jpeg.
I'll mess around with the other suggested programs and see what happens.
If they don't work, I'll keep looking for a bmp image of a computer or a computer repair person.
As a photographer, I keep thinking in terms of film.
I don't think picture resizing has many parallels with film properties.
Normally, resizing with PaintShop or similar software should not produce bad images. Try to use multiples of 2, i.e. exactly 50% or 25% of original size.
or 3 or 4 - but exact integers
i.e., if you reduce an image by a factor of 3, each 9 pixel square may become a single pixel
i have seen interesting results by modulo-shifting an image
in other words, add a few pixels to one edge, and try again
we might be able to offer better advice if we could see the original and the reduction
i had mentioned vector graphics, as i have had issues reducing things like schematics
a business card may be very similar
however, if you are having problems reducing a jpeg, there is something else at play
Quote from: jj2007 on November 23, 2010, 12:28:27 AM
Normally, resizing with PaintShop or similar software should not produce bad images. Try to use multiples of 2, i.e. exactly 50% or 25% of original size.
I used Irfanview to reduce my jpg to 25 and 50%, and the image got worse than the original.
Unless these other programs use some new and improved algorithm, I'll just find a bmp or I'll may borrow my friends digital camera and use a picture of my "Dumpster Special" as my logo on my business card.
I found a front cover for it and spray painted it gloss black.
Outta here.
The image will always be worse than the original however there are different algorithms that resize, smooth and sharpen in different ways.... If you have a low resolution image to start with, you are not resizing with a multiple size or you are changing the proportions of the image you will potentially have greater problems
i have taken 6 images and reduced them to 10%, 25%, and 50%
they look ok to me :P
http://www.4shared.com/file/Bqg3A3qW/reduced.html
I installed the program.
Haven't had time to play with it.
Rather a large puppy with all kinds of bells and whistles. :8)
Andy