This content originally appeared on Envato Tuts+ Tutorials and was authored by Jonathan Lam
Learning how to resize an image in Photoshop is a walk in the park. Whether you're just getting started or already slicing pixels like a pro, this Photoshop tutorial has you covered. We’ll walk you through the basics of resizing an image in Photoshop. And if you’re an expert, stick around because you’ll learn how to automate the whole process using actions.
PLUS! If you've ever wondered how to resize an image in AI, you'll also get a few tips that will make your day all the brighter.
1. Open your image
For the purposes of this tutorial, we'll use this Cat Photo from Envato, but you can use a picture of your own choice—the idea is simply to show you how to use Photoshop to resize an image, so you can use any photo.
Step 1
In order to resize the image in Photoshop, open it and go to the top menu bar. There, select File > Open. Select the image file from your hard drive and click Open.
Step 2
This will create a new file where you can edit your image.
Step 3
As an additional step, you may want to create a Photoshop layer using the image. Double-click on the 'Background' layer in the Layers panel, which opens the New Layer window. Rename it and click OK.
2. How to resize an image in Photoshop
Step 1
To continue learning how to resize a picture using Photoshop, go to the top menu bar and select Image > Image Size.
Step 2
This will open a new window displaying the current size of the image. To ensure that we maintain the proportions of the image, make sure the chain icon has been selected (it connects the width and height measurements).
Step 3
Select the measurement unit you would like to use in Photoshop to resize a layer. You'll find the options in the drop-down box. For this tutorial, we will use Pixels.
Step 4
Select the resolution you would like to use for the resized image. 300 pixels/inch creates a large image file and is usually used for printing. 72 pixels/inch creates a much smaller file size. Once you've done that, click the OK button to finish resizing your image.
For this tutorial, we will resize the image to 900 x 599 px at a resolution of 72 dpi.
3. How to resize an image in Photoshop and save it
Step 1
You can also use Photoshop to resize an image in the save menu. This could be useful if you only want to resize the output file and not the original image.
To do this, go to the top menu bar and select File > Export > Save for Web.
Step 2
This will open up a new window with some options for you to play with. If you're just getting started, the main options you'll be using to resize your image are listed below:
- The drop-down menus will allow you to choose from a selection of file options (PNG, JPEG, and GIF). The presets at the top will allow you to choose a file type with varying degrees of quality settings (e.g. high, medium, low).
- By choosing a JPEG file type, you can automatically choose the quality setting (high, medium, low).
- You can also manually choose a quality value, which will allow you greater control over the size of your file.
- You'll find the image size options, where you can specify the exact pixel dimensions of your saved image.
Once you have finished using the options, click on the Save button at the bottom right of the window to save.
4. How to resize a layer in Photoshop
Step 1
Now you are going to learn how to resize a layer in Photoshop. In the Layers panel, select the one containing the image you want to resize.
Step 2
Go to the top menu bar and select Edit > Free Transform.
Step 3
When you resize a layer in Photoshop, a border will appear around it. Hold the Shift key to keep the proportions of the image (otherwise the layer will distort) and drag the edges or corners until you reach the size you want.
Step 4
Once you have reached the desired size of your layer, click the checkmark in the options bar at the top or press the Enter key on the keyboard to finalize.
5. How to create an action to resize in Photoshop
Step 1
You can also create an action to resize a layer in Photoshop. Creating an action will allow you to automate the steps quickly and easily.
Navigate to the Actions panel or go to Window > Actions. Click on the Create New Action button in the Actions panel.
Step 2
Once you've clicked on the Create New Action button, you'll be prompted to fill in a few options first. These settings can be useful when creating your new Photoshop action and can help you identify it more quickly.
- Name: Choose a suitable name for the action.
- Action Set: Choose default.
- Function Key: This allows you to map an action to a keyboard key so that when you press that button it will perform the action (for example, F3).
- Color: You can assign a color to the action to help you identify it more quickly.
Step 3
Once you are happy with the initial action settings, you can click on the Record button. When you click on this button, everything that you do in Photoshop will be recorded as part of the action. The small button on the Actions panel will also change to a red dot to let you know that you are recording.
Step 4
Now that we are recording, decide what type of resizing you would like the Photoshop action to automate and perform. For example, choose one of the following:
- Resize the Image/Canvas: Select Image > Image Size and change the image dimensions to the size that you want. Then click the OK button to commit the changes (for more detail, see 2. How to Resize an Image).
- Resize the Saved Image: Select File > Export > Save for Web and change the settings in the Save for Web window. Then click the Save button to commit the changes (for more detail, see 3. How to Resize an Image and Save).
- Resize the Layer: Double-click on the layer to remove the lock icon. Select Edit > Free Transform. Use the mouse to change the dimensions of the layer and press the Enter key on the keyboard to finalize (for more detail, see 4. How to Resize a Layer in Photoshop).
Once you have finished recording, click on the Stop Playing/Recording button. The action is now saved and can be found in the list of actions in the Actions panel.
Step 5
Excellent! Now we have created an action in Photoshop to resize an image. You can test that the action works on another image by opening up a different one. Select the action from the Actions panel and then click on the small grey Play button at the bottom.
This will repeat the resize action effect on any photo.
6. How to resize an image without Photoshop
You've learned how to change the size of an image in Photoshop. But have you ever wondered how to resize an image without Photoshop? Or even how to resize an image with AI?
In this day and age, AI can take the hard work out of it. Envato has awesome tools, like ImageEdit, that can work as your AI image resizer in the blink of an eye (no Photoshop knowledge required). You don't even have to come up with elaborate prompts to let it know that you want to resize your pictures. Simply upload your image and use the AI image resizer as your design partner.
You can also use Placeit to resize and crop your images. Placeit offers a free online tool for you to use when you don't have Adobe Photoshop handy on a computer. Go to the Placeit site and then simply drag and drop your image file and rework it to the size you want.
You're finished using Photoshop to resize an image
Congratulations! You've successfully completed this tutorial, from learning how to scale an image in Photoshop to how to resize a layer in Photoshop (or even without it!). You can also download ready-made resize tool Photoshop kits from Envato to help you quickly use Photoshop to resize a layer.
I hope you found this tutorial on how to change the size of an image in Photoshop helpful and that you've learned many new tips and tricks.
If you prefer your tutorials with visuals and sound, the following video shows you how to resize a photo in Photoshop. Follow along with us over on our Envato Tuts+ YouTube channel:
And remember that you don't have to go through all of this to resize your images! If you've ever wondered how to resize an image with AI, Envato's AI tools have you covered. With ImageEdit, you can tweak, detail, and build on your images to get them exactly right. They're insanely easy to use, and you don't need to learn any software, install anything, or feel limited at all. The best part? They're included with your Envato subscription*!
*Not for Enterprise subscriptions.
Learn more Photoshop actions & photo manipulation!
Now you know how to resize an image and how to resize a layer in Photoshop. You also got to see the best batch resizing Photoshop tools we've got.
If you liked this and are looking to learn some Photoshop actions or photo manipulation skills, check out the tutorials below. Expand your expertise by going through these in-depth guides. Happy designing!
How to Create a Dreamy Glow Effect Photo Manipulation in Photoshop
How to Create an Ancient-Egypt-Inspired Cat Photo Manipulation in Photoshop
How to Create a Fun Fox and Coffee Photo Manipulation in Photoshop
How to Use Photoshop Adjustment Layers to Create a Fantasy Photo Manipulation
100+ Best Portrait Tutorials (Illustration, Photo Manipulation, & More)
How to Mirror an Image in Photoshop
How to Create a Melting Portrait Photo Effect Manipulation in Photoshop
100+ Awesome Photoshop Effects Tutorials
How to change the background color in Photoshop
How to Resize Multiple Images at Once in Adobe Photoshop
This content originally appeared on Envato Tuts+ Tutorials and was authored by Jonathan Lam
Jonathan Lam | Sciencx (2021-06-02T12:00:00+00:00) How to resize an image in Photoshop. Retrieved from https://www.scien.cx/2021/06/02/how-to-resize-an-image-in-photoshop/
Please log in to upload a file.
There are no updates yet.
Click the Upload button above to add an update.