Blowing up my avatar

Girl 6 · 11th November 2003, 02:17 PM

Okay... Now that I got your attention.

This is pretty straightforward and for the graphic artists and web designers in the house. I'd like to blow up my avatar and use it as a background on a website.

When I use PhotoShop, it's not sharp, as to be expected. Is there some tool or have I missed some option on PhotoShop that will blow up my avatar and still retain the crispness of the image?

thanks!
G6

Yahweh · 11th November 2003, 02:43 PM

There are two types of graphics in the world of computers. Raster graphics and vector graphics. Raster graphics are drawn by coding each pixel of the graphic individually, 95% of all graphics you will see on the net are rasters (this includes BMP, JPEG, GIF, TIF, etc). Raster graphics cant be scaled without resulting in disastrous image distortions.

Vector Graphics on the other hand are drawn as a series of mathematical equations. They can be scaled without distortion, but are occasionally unsupported by browsers. If you are familiar with Flash cartoons, you are familiar with vector graphics.

You can convert your avatar to a vector graphic using CorelDraw! or other Raster-to-Vector Graphics converter. Edit to add: I've tried using Flash, but at about 200 x 200 pixels, the image starts to lose quality.

The only sure way to blow up your avatar without image distortions is to find the original image you used to make your avatar.

a_unique_person · 11th November 2003, 02:44 PM

It can't be done. You can get it blown up, you can smudge the jaggies a bit, but you can't get it to create dots that aren't there. For more info, watch the film "Blowup".

arcticpenguin · 11th November 2003, 04:10 PM

You cannot create resolution out of nothing. Your best hope is to recreate the original pose yourself and take a higher resolution photograph. I'm sure you'll get plenty of volunteers for the camera work.

Girl 6 · 12th November 2003, 09:01 AM

Thanks for the replies!

Unfortunately, I don't have the original photo.

I was trying to track it down and the image has since disappeared.

G6

Checkmite · 12th November 2003, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Girl 6
Thanks for the replies!

Unfortunately, I don't have the original photo. I was trying to track it down and the image has since disappeared.

G6

That's incredible. I'd expect an image like that to be...well, everywhere by now.

a_unique_person · 12th November 2003, 02:39 PM

Just saw this. Apparently if you blow the image up in incremental steps, rather than just one big step, the results will be much better. You can even buy, for $20, a Photoshop Macro that will do it all for you.

Given that are are working with an avatar sized picture, the results will never be great, but this appears to be the best solution.

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/20...329621174.html

Quote:

Fred Miranda's Stair Interpolation

WEB - http://fredmiranda.com/software

RRP $US20 ($A28)

When a digital image is enlarged in Photoshop or Photoshop Elements the program "interpolates" picture information to fill the pixel spaces in the enlargement.

Photoshop users know that a better, smoother enlargement is achieved if, instead of enlarging a picture from A5 to A3 in a single hit, the increase in size is done in steps, increasing the picture size by about 10 per cent at each increment.

Fred's Stair Interpolation is a Photoshop Action - a sequence of commands like a macro in Word that automates the process. SI gives the user choices of degrees of enlargement up to 800 per cent.

Anyone can make their own step Action, so this is not exactly a bargain, but at least it eliminates the need to futz around looking for the best result. The cost is payment for Fred's expertise.

†= Crap! · 15th November 2003, 08:44 PM

The other posters are right in that you cant simply blow it up, but I gave it a try anyways.

This is the best I could do with just pushing the pixels with my mouse, but if you can find someone who is skilled with a stylus pad, they could probably do a much better job.

Try going here http://www.deviantart.com/ and enlist someone from the forums.

†= Crap! · 15th November 2003, 09:12 PM

Your avatar also has some noise on it. It could also use some more contrast.

here's a cleaned up version:

garys_2k · 2nd December 2003, 05:34 AM

I just saw this product, sspline, at http://www.shortcut.nl/redirect.php?...rie&id=sspline that's received rave reviews. It looks like there's a demo version available.

LuxFerum · 2nd December 2003, 06:02 AM

You could use a similar picture like This one

11th November 2003, 02:17 PM	#1
Girl 6 Voice of Reason Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 3,500	Blowing up my avatar Okay... Now that I got your attention. This is pretty straightforward and for the graphic artists and web designers in the house. I'd like to blow up my avatar and use it as a background on a website. When I use PhotoShop, it's not sharp, as to be expected. Is there some tool or have I missed some option on PhotoShop that will blow up my avatar and still retain the crispness of the image? thanks! G6
Girl 6 Voice of Reason Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 3,500	__________________ "Where is the man who has the power and skill to stem the torrent of a woman's will?" The Skeptical Community: You will never believe what is going on here!

11th November 2003, 02:43 PM	#2
Yahweh Ayay ashay ayay Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 9,029	There are two types of graphics in the world of computers. Raster graphics and vector graphics. Raster graphics are drawn by coding each pixel of the graphic individually, 95% of all graphics you will see on the net are rasters (this includes BMP, JPEG, GIF, TIF, etc). Raster graphics cant be scaled without resulting in disastrous image distortions. Vector Graphics on the other hand are drawn as a series of mathematical equations. They can be scaled without distortion, but are occasionally unsupported by browsers. If you are familiar with Flash cartoons, you are familiar with vector graphics. You can convert your avatar to a vector graphic using CorelDraw! or other Raster-to-Vector Graphics converter. Edit to add: I've tried using Flash, but at about 200 x 200 pixels, the image starts to lose quality. The only sure way to blow up your avatar without image distortions is to find the original image you used to make your avatar.
Yahweh Ayay ashay ayay Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 9,029

11th November 2003, 02:44 PM	#3
a_unique_person Director of Hatcheries and Conditioning Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Mt Disappointment Posts: 33,311	It can't be done. You can get it blown up, you can smudge the jaggies a bit, but you can't get it to create dots that aren't there. For more info, watch the film "Blowup".
	__________________ *Continually pushing the boundaries of mediocrity.* Everything is possible, but not everything is probable. For if a man pretend to me that God hath spoken to him supernaturally, and immediately, and I make doubt of it, I cannot easily perceive what argument he can produce to oblige me to believe it. Hobbes

11th November 2003, 04:10 PM	#4
arcticpenguin woo ban clan Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 5,717	You cannot create resolution out of nothing. Your best hope is to recreate the original pose yourself and take a higher resolution photograph. I'm sure you'll get plenty of volunteers for the camera work.
	__________________ The power of accurate observation is frequently called cynicism by those who don't have it. - George Bernard Shaw

12th November 2003, 09:01 AM	#5
Girl 6 Voice of Reason Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 3,500	Thanks for the replies! Unfortunately, I don't have the original photo. I was trying to track it down and the image has since disappeared. G6
Girl 6 Voice of Reason Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 3,500	__________________ "Where is the man who has the power and skill to stem the torrent of a woman's will?" The Skeptical Community: You will never believe what is going on here!

12th November 2003, 11:20 AM	#6
Checkmite Skepticifimisticalationist Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Third in line Posts: 14,876	Quote: Originally posted by Girl 6 Thanks for the replies! Unfortunately, I don't have the original photo. I was trying to track it down and the image has since disappeared. G6 That's incredible. I'd expect an image like that to be...well, everywhere by now.
	__________________ "¿WHAT KIND OF BIRD? ¿A PARANORMAL BIRD?" --- Carlos S., 2002

12th November 2003, 02:39 PM	#7
a_unique_person Director of Hatcheries and Conditioning Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Mt Disappointment Posts: 33,311	Just saw this. Apparently if you blow the image up in incremental steps, rather than just one big step, the results will be much better. You can even buy, for $20, a Photoshop Macro that will do it all for you. Given that are are working with an avatar sized picture, the results will never be great, but this appears to be the best solution. http://www.theage.com.au/articles/20...329621174.html Quote: Fred Miranda's Stair Interpolation WEB - http://fredmiranda.com/software RRP $US20 ($A28) When a digital image is enlarged in Photoshop or Photoshop Elements the program "interpolates" picture information to fill the pixel spaces in the enlargement. Photoshop users know that a better, smoother enlargement is achieved if, instead of enlarging a picture from A5 to A3 in a single hit, the increase in size is done in steps, increasing the picture size by about 10 per cent at each increment. Fred's Stair Interpolation is a Photoshop Action - a sequence of commands like a macro in Word that automates the process. SI gives the user choices of degrees of enlargement up to 800 per cent. Anyone can make their own step Action, so this is not exactly a bargain, but at least it eliminates the need to futz around looking for the best result. The cost is payment for Fred's expertise.
	__________________ *Continually pushing the boundaries of mediocrity.* Everything is possible, but not everything is probable. For if a man pretend to me that God hath spoken to him supernaturally, and immediately, and I make doubt of it, I cannot easily perceive what argument he can produce to oblige me to believe it. Hobbes

15th November 2003, 08:44 PM	#8
†= Crap! Thinker Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Long Beach Posts: 242	The other posters are right in that you cant simply blow it up, but I gave it a try anyways. This is the best I could do with just pushing the pixels with my mouse, but if you can find someone who is skilled with a stylus pad, they could probably do a much better job. Try going here http://www.deviantart.com/ and enlist someone from the forums.

15th November 2003, 09:12 PM	#9
†= Crap! Thinker Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Long Beach Posts: 242	Your avatar also has some noise on it. It could also use some more contrast. here's a cleaned up version:

2nd December 2003, 05:34 AM	#10
garys_2k Muse Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 756	I just saw this product, sspline, at http://www.shortcut.nl/redirect.php?...rie&id=sspline that's received rave reviews. It looks like there's a demo version available.
garys_2k Muse Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 756	__________________ - Gary

2nd December 2003, 06:02 AM	#11
LuxFerum Augustus Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Brazil Posts: 5,417	You could use a similar picture like This one
	__________________ Jos kad bih znala sta pametno da napisem! Eh, nikad se ne zna. Mozda me netko i razumije. - Tanja Age and treachery will always overcome youth and skill. Well, if crime fighters fight crime and fire fighters fight fire, what do freedom fighters fight? They never mention that part to us, do they? - George Carlin