resampling algorithms and smart objects

[Caravaggio]

When an image that consists of a single smart-object layer is resized using 'Image Size' multiple times, how does the resampling algorithm used at each iteration effect the end result?

Will there be any difference in the way that an image that consists of a single smart-object layer displays if after having been resized multiple times using different resampling algorithms, the image is changed back to its original pixel dimensions?

Thanks.

[John Wheeler]

Re: resampling algorithms and smart objects

Hi Michael (I believe it is Michael anyways)

If you create a Smart Object from a set of pixels and then start resizing, each resize is like you are doing it for the first time. There is no cumulative negative effect. And to answer your second question, if you resize back to the exact original pixel dimensions, you will have exactly the original bits with absolutely no degradation (I have tested this out). Pretty cool feature of Smart Objects

[lamccarthy]

Re: resampling algorithms and smart objects

I can't find anywhere on here to download the Retouch Pro software. Where can I get it?

[Caravaggio]

Re: resampling algorithms and smart objects

Thank you, John. Does what algorithm you choose (bicubic, bicubic sharper, nearest neighbor, etc.) matter at all for how a single layer smart object image will display? Like will it display the same no matter what algorithm is chosen? Can one just ignore the algorithm settings in Image Size in the case of smart objects?

[andrewrodney]

Re: resampling algorithms and smart objects

Just think about this as writing some instructions about a process but not actually using any until the last instructions are applied. You resize a dozen times with each different algorithm but then you finish with the last (x by y size using BiCubic Smoother), that’s what you get.

[John Wheeler]

Re: resampling algorithms and smart objects

Thank you, John. Does what algorithm you choose (bicubic, bicubic sharper, nearest neighbor, etc.) matter at all for how a single layer smart object image will display? Like will it display the same no matter what algorithm is chosen? Can one just ignore the algorithm settings in Image Size in the case of smart objects?

Hi Michael

I think Andrew's response was being typed at the same time as you next question so be sure not to miss his post.

No it does matter what resampling algorithm you use.

For me, the easiest way to think about a Smart Object (SO) is:
- that they are a separate document (that is accessible by clicking on the thumbnail)
- What appears in the main document is just a single layer Merged Pixel Layer copy of the SO document that is pasted into the document at that layer. If the SO was in a different color mode, color space, bit depth, or pixel dimensions then those transformations are also applied to that merged layer before insertion into the Main Document
- All operations in the Main Document to the first order just treat the SO Merged Pixel Layer as just a pixel layer (there are exceptions). So when you apply an image resize the resampling algorithm choice does matter.
- When there is an operation that would change the pixels of the Merged Pixel Layer of the SO (e.g. image resize), then the original SO layers are used in the calculation fresh each time. Therefore there is no accumulative degradation.
- If you go into the SO and make a change, a new Merged Pixel Layer is created and sent to the Main Document in the same way as mentioned above.

Hope this is helpful.

[Caravaggio]

Re: resampling algorithms and smart objects

Thank you, John and Andrew for your very thorough explanations and for clearing up what had confused me.

[skoobey]

Re: resampling algorithms and smart objects

Just don't forget that you do affect all the other layers by resizing (one's that are not smart objects).