Perfect Resize uses fractal-based interpolation to enlarge digital images without losing sharpness or detail.
The program opens with a thumbnail browser which allows you to select your target image (there's full support for layered Photoshop files).
Click Resize > Edit a Copy > OK and your image appears in the editing window. Crop the picture if necessary, then enter its new dimensions (pixels or a percentage), and click "100" to view it full-size.
We found the program generally produced good results - no pixellation, a sort-of "oil painting" effect on very large magnifications but nothing too serious - and if you're happy then you can just click "Save & Close" to continue.
If your resized picture doesn't look so good, there are various settings which may be able to help: Image Type, Resize Method, Texture, Threshold, Smoothness, Sharpening, Film Grain, and more. Tweak any of these and the preview window updates within a few seconds to show you the results.
The program also supports some unusual extras. Turning on "Tiling", for example, allows you to divide an enlarged image into smaller pieces that can be printed on a smaller printer. And "Gallery Wrap" displays custom margins around the image, very useful to ensure it's framed correctly when you're printing on canvas.
Whatebver you're doing, the program does its best to fit into your workflow: you can run it standalone, as a Photoshop plug-in, or integrated with Lightroom, Photoshop Elements and Apple Aperture.
Please note, the download link takes you to a registration page where you must first enter your name, address and country. This gets you a 30-day trial which is otherwise unrestricted, and allows you to resize and save as many images as you like.
Verdict:
Its results vary depending on your source material, but Perfect Resize generally produced good quality images for us, even at high magnifications (6x). If you regularly resize images by a significant amount, and quality is vital, give it a try.
Your Comments & Opinion
Convert, resize and add effects to your images with this batch processing tool
Convert, resize and add effects to your images with this batch processing tool
Resize a folder of photos with a click
Low-cost image editing package packed with features
Resize a window or tweak its transparency with your mouse wheel
Quickly resize and compress JPG images
Automatically download entire web galleries in minutes with this time-saving internet tool
Quickly tag your MP3 files that are lacking the correct information
Create professional live music mixes with Mixxx
Lightworks is a veteran video-editing suite with dozens of films behind it - and it's completely free
Lightworks is a veteran video-editing suite with dozens of films behind it - and it's completely free