Posted by Andreas Resch on August 13, 2010 at 3:36 AM
Update to V0.4
*) Now compatible with Photoshop CS2
*) Added a presharpening option that can give some images a little additional sharpness.
*) Slight adjustment of the downsizing process.
*) The zip-file contains a German version now.
DESCRIPTION
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. If you check "Presharpen" the image will get an initial sharpening based on the size of the source image. You might want to use this option on low-noise images only though.
The background layer is a blurry (ordinary downscaling) one. The layer above 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. On top you'll find a saturation adjustment layer (initally turned OFF) that can bring back some of the sharpness lost during the downsizing process.
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 Photoshop CS2 and above. 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.
Here's the link for the script: http://www.andreasresch.at/upload/WebSharpener_V04.zip
Take care,
Andreas
Posted by Pat Sampson on August 27, 2010 at 12:48 PM
Thanks Andreas. I downloaded this a week or so ago but just got to play with it this morning. I enjoyed reading your code and liked the functionality provided by the application. First time I've read any javascript used in PS. I'll be posting my first image using it today over in Flora. Thanks for making it available and for the helpful script comments.
Discussion
1 replies*) Now compatible with Photoshop CS2
*) Added a presharpening option that can give some images a little additional sharpness.
*) Slight adjustment of the downsizing process.
*) The zip-file contains a German version now.
DESCRIPTION
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. If you check "Presharpen" the image will get an initial sharpening based on the size of the source image. You might want to use this option on low-noise images only though.
The background layer is a blurry (ordinary downscaling) one. The layer above 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. On top you'll find a saturation adjustment layer (initally turned OFF) that can bring back some of the sharpness lost during the downsizing process.
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 Photoshop CS2 and above. 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_V04.zip
Take care,
Andreas
Pat