I need to shrink some photos

[magster65]

A buddy of mine took some pictures of my new boat but they're huge. My editing program distorts them when I try to get them down a managable 640 x 480 (+/-). They're 2304 x 1728 at the moment. Can anyone help me with this?<br /><br />I don't know if it matters but they were in an RAR format when he sent them and I had to download the decoder. I'm not familiar with this RAR stuff at all.

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: I need to shrink some photos

Get resize-a-matic!<br /> http://sourceforge.net/projects/imgresizer <br /><br />Xcusme turned me on to this one. It's very handy but very easy to use. It's GPLed so it's essentially freeware.

 

[magster65]

Re: I need to shrink some photos

Wow!<br />That works great...<br />Thank you Paul!

 

[magster65]

Re: I need to shrink some photos

Well, the first one looked great...<br />

<br /><br />but the second one isn't so good <br />

<br /><br />Any other ideas or do you think they're just too big to shrink that much?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: I need to shrink some photos

Try Picasa a free program from Google. When you "export" it gives you resizing choices and keeps the photos nicely organized.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: I need to shrink some photos

Microsoft Image Resizer works well and is super simple. Just right click on any open picture and you have the option for 4 different sizes. Pretty slick...<br /><br /> web page

 

[ndemge]

Re: I need to shrink some photos

I use MS Paint actually....<br /><br />Changing the percentage on resize, and does a great job of making it a tiny file too.

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: I need to shrink some photos

That looks like an JPEG encoder problem to me (aka JPEG jaggies). You're going to need a program where you can set the "Quality" of the JPEG when you save it. I don't believe that exists in resize-a-matic, but do check under the custom menu.<br />Try setting your quality to 95 0r 100% and see if that cleans it up. But at 640x480 don't expect miracles.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: I need to shrink some photos

For anyone that wants a little more extensive editing, Photoshop Elements (the consumer version of Photoshop) is available at Costco this week (June 12-18) for $80 minus an instant rebate of $40, i.e. you pay $40 at checkout. With PS Elements you can do just about any photo editing, effects you want.<br /><br />For just resizing, getting rid of redeye, etc, I use the free FastStone Image View, available at downloads.com. And yes, you can resize by pixel count or image size. Cnet reviews give FastStone 5 out of 5 stars, users give it 4.5 stars.<br /><br /> http://www.download.com/FastStone-Image-Viewer/3000-2192_4-10528085.html?tag=lst-0-1 <br /><br />FastStone laso has a new Image Resizer. Haven't tried it, Cnet gives it 4 stars, users give it 5 stars.<br /><br /> http://www.download.com/FastStone-Photo-Resizer/3000-2192_4-10349167.html?tag=lst-0-2

 

[gewf631]

Re: I need to shrink some photos

Or, you can just use IrfanView

 

[magster65]

Re: I need to shrink some photos

OK, I don't like installing and uninstalling stuff but I went through them and the microsoft one seems the best picture quality and the easiest... or as easy to use as the others.<br />Thanks for all your help everyone.<br /><br />This is the microsoft resizer...<br />

<br /><br />This one is the resize-o-matic... which had similar results as the others.<br />

 

[Boomyal]

Re: I need to shrink some photos

Originally posted by rickdb1boat:<br /> Microsoft Image Resizer works well and is super simple. Just right click on any open picture and you have the option for 4 different sizes. Pretty slick...<br /><br /> web page

Rick, I have Powertoys but when I right click on a picture on my harddrive I do not get the resize option you mentions.<br /><br />What might be missing here?

 

[magster65]

Re: I need to shrink some photos

Don't open the picture, just right click on the icon it should be the 4th option down. Click on it then the size options appear. I use XP.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: I need to shrink some photos

Originally posted by magster65:<br /> Don't open the picture, just right click on the icon it should be the 4th option down. Click on it then the size options appear. I use XP.

Still don't see it magster. I have XP as well and when I right click on the foto icon there is not an option to resize. <br /><br />The little box shows the following;<br /><br />preview<br />print <br />edit<br />_____<br />open with<br />winzip<br />e-mail with yahoo<br />_______<br />scan for viruses<br />send to<br />______<br />cut <br />copy<br />______<br />create shortcut<br />delete<br />rename<br />_____<br />properties<br /><br /><br />Those are the only choices.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: I need to shrink some photos

It's separate from the TweakUI. Go to the link and you will see it listed on the right under "Download"...<br /><br /> web page<br /><br />Or better yet, just click HERE

 

[Boomyal]

Re: I need to shrink some photos

Thanks rick, I got it!

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: I need to shrink some photos

That's much better. Only 10% larger too. Can't argue with what works.