resizing photos for upload

Post by **paulrace** » Fri Jan 25, 2013 11:39 pm

Because the forum software doesn't resize uploaded photos for you, I have to ask folks to make certain they resize their photos to 800pixels wide or less before they upload them.

If you have an old version of Paint (like the one that came with XP) that doesn't let you resize your graphics, try the paint.net program. You can download it at the following link:

http://download.cnet.com/Paint-NET/3000 ... 38146.html

If you go right to the paint.net site, they'll make you download a bunch of other stuff before you get the right file. But once you get it, it's pretty easy to install and use.

Post by **paulrace** » Fri Jan 25, 2013 11:40 pm

1. Find the file you want to resize:

: 01_finding_file.jpg (323.19 KiB) Viewed 64411 times

Post by **paulrace** » Fri Jan 25, 2013 11:40 pm

Right click on the file you need to resize:

: 02_open_with.jpg (379.44 KiB) Viewed 64411 times

Post by **paulrace** » Fri Jan 25, 2013 11:44 pm

3. Specify that you want to open with paint.net

Post by **paulrace** » Fri Jan 25, 2013 11:46 pm

4. The Paint.net program opens

: 04_paint_dot_net_program_opens.jpg (631.33 KiB) Viewed 64410 times

Post by **paulrace** » Fri Jan 25, 2013 11:47 pm

5. Click "Image" from the menu bar, then select "Resize."

Post by **paulrace** » Fri Jan 25, 2013 11:50 pm

6. Make certain that "By Absolute Size" and "Maintain Aspect Ratio" are both checked.

Post by **paulrace** » Fri Jan 25, 2013 11:51 pm

7. Specify the new width (for this forum, 800 pixels or less). Note that the height changes automatically.

Post by **paulrace** » Fri Jan 25, 2013 11:54 pm

8. If your picture seems to be a bit fuzzy, try using the sharpen feature. But go VERY easy on it because too much sharpening will cause digital artifacts and look phony.

Post by **paulrace** » Fri Jan 25, 2013 11:56 pm

9. Do NOT save your file over the old one - you may want to use the hi-rez version later. I always rename mine with the new resolution as an appendage. For example, I may have a 250-pixel wide version in a web article, and an 800-pixel-wide version that you can see if you click on the little one. I keep them straight by doing a "Save AS" and adding the width to the file name.