Web Sharpener Script V0.2 (Update)

UPDATE to V0.2
*) Cleaned up the code and commented it
*) Uploaded the viewable JSX-file for better compatibility
*) Added a saturation layer for sharpening compensation that can be activated if wanted

Since I've been asked so often about how I sharpen my images, I decided to learn a little about Photoshop Scripting and wrote a Photoshop script for web output sharpening. I tried to share my technique via actions but on some computers they didn't work properly and one was limited to certain resolutions as well.

In this script you can specify the output resolution (in pixels for the longer side) and the script will do the rest for you. You can check the "Create Edge Mask" checkbox if you want the script to create a mask that lessens the sharpening effect on hard transitions (you can further modify this mask after the script has finished).
The result are two layers. The background layer is a blurry (ordinary downscaling) one. The upper layer is the sharpened one and initially set to 80% opacity which works in many cases. If you want you can adjust the opacity to enhance or decrease the sharpening like you want.

The sharpening technique is based on the technique I use for my images at the moment and is the result of fiddling around with various techniques over the last few years. It might be that the technique will change in future versions, but at the moment I'm quite happy about it.

The script works in CS4 and CS5 on my computer. Let me know if you have any problems. Future versions of the script might contains more settings to enhance the options for the user. All depends on the feedback and available spare time.

Installation
Just copy the JSX-file to the "Presets/Scripts" folder within your Photoshop installation folder and restart Photoshop. You'll then find a new entry under "File->Scripts".

I hope you like this first test version. If you like it and use it often, I would appreciate any kind of donation to my Paypal account if you can afford to spare some bucks.

Donations: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=BH2TEKKXESK2G

Here's the link for the script: http://www.andreasresch.at/upload/WebSharpener_V02.zip

Take care,
Andreas

Hi Andreas, It sounds as though your sharpening technique works very well.

I wanted to check it out and I discovered the link for the script does not work; my guess is a permission problem, since I can access your web site per se, but not your upload directory.

Thanks for making this available. I'm anxious to see it in action. And I'm making an assumption it is platform independent.

Thanks again.

Carol

Hmm ... the link works for me. But as I've updated the file a few times meanwhile it could be that there were some conflicts. Please try again.

A friend of mine tested the script on his MacBook and it worked.

Cheers,
Andreas

Sorry, I can download the script and find it, but where do we extract the files to so that can be found in PS? ie, what folder under adobe??
Thanks
then how access from PS (cs4)
Thanks

Within you Photoshop installation folder go to Presets->Scripts and put the file there. Then restart Photoshop and you'll find the script in the menu under File->Scripts.

Hope that helped,
Andreas

Thanks - actually works great - Any way of seeing what steps this actually goes through? Can it be applied to larger files as well?

Once I've commented my source code I will put out a .jsx-file which you can check for the procedure. This script will only be good for web resolutions. It will not make sense for preparing images for print.

Thanks again - was really just curious. Thanks for your generosity.
Greg