PSP Enlarging Tools?

[TooLoose]

I have PSP X4 and X6 (different computers) and need to enlarge some photos from years ago taken with photos under 4 MP. Before I buy third party software, I thought I'd check to see if PSP offers tools to enlarge my photos to about 11 x17 and 'fix' the pixelation I would experience if I did so without editing the photo first. One program I have in mind is OnOne Perfect Resize.

Can PSP do this?

Thanks.

[Forriner]

The only option I know of is Image/Resize (shift-s).
I remember reading somewhere that you should resize in two or more steps when increasing the size a lot.

[LeviFiction]

I have heard that too Forriner, but it's not guaranteed to produce any better results. In some cases upscaling in steps results in near identical results to just a straight upscale. Also in some versions of that method they also use an unsharp mask for some small sharpening because as you upscale it creates new pixels that didn't exist averaging between nearby pixels. Often creating a blurry or muddy look. This can even lead to darker or muted color renderings.

But when comapring to Perfect Resize, no PSP does not have anything like that. Perfect Resize pulls in from either an s-spline or factoral method of upscaling. It's designed to try and infer as much detail as it can from what little information there is. This often leads to better detail with less blurring or pixelation. It's still not perfect, and doesn't guarantee the image will resize well if it's going really small to really large.

It's always worth trying the normal method first because programs like Perfect Resize or BenVista PhotoZoom Pro tend to cost a pretty penny if you don't actually need what they offer.

So as for your question, PSP only has Image Resize as Forriner said. But I would give the gradual resize a try. There's even a script somewhere that tries to help automate the task. I'll look around and see if I can't provide you a link.

One other thing to keep in mind a 2MP image at 300dpi can create a 4x6 physical image. 11x17 should require a 16MP image give or take. But that's if you're holding it at arms length and only for the best quality. If you're going to be further away you can get away with a smaller DPI. At arms length you can get away with 200 DPI it won't be great but it also won't be horrible. An 11x17 at 200dpi would only require a 7MP image so far less upscaling required. And if you're at a greater distance than arms length away it won't be noticeable.

[brucet]

Two comments!!

First no program can 'invent' data/detail that is not there in the first place. So upsizing is just a blurring/spreading of what data is already available.
Second the results of any upsizing is really dependent upon the quality of the starting point.

I guess the end results will depend on your expectations.

My approach would be to upsize and add some sort of 'artistic feature' to 'hide' the negative changes.

good luck.

[Cassel]

Photozoom has shown some promise (but it is not free). You can try to download it, and test it. You will get a watermark on the images so you wont be able to use them, but you can see if the end result would suit your need and determine if it is worth purchasing.