Whats the BEST way? How to upscale images in Photoshop (Photos, Ai Art & Lineart)

Wade McMaster - Creator Impact
11 Jul 202313:56

TLDRThe video script offers a comprehensive comparison of four different methods for upscaling images in Photoshop. It evaluates the effectiveness of each technique on various types of images, including a Batman drawing, AI art, and a photo, highlighting the pros and cons of using Image Size, Free Transform, Super Resolution, Super Zoom, and Topaz Gigapixel AI upscaling plugin. The conclusion suggests that Topaz Gigapixel delivers the best results, followed by Super Zoom for line work, while Image Size and Super Resolution offer decent alternatives within Photoshop's native capabilities.

Takeaways

  • 🎨 The video discusses four different methods to upscale images in Photoshop.
  • 🖼️ Three images of varying types (Batman drawing, AI art, and a photo) are used for comparison.
  • 📏 The images start at a size of approximately 900x900 to 1200x1200 pixels.
  • 🔍 Upscaling is tested to see which method works best for each image type.
  • 🌟 The 'Image Size' filter with 'Preserve Details' option stands out as the best for photos.
  • 🦇 'Super Intelligent Bird' method shows good results for the AI art.
  • ⚙️ 'Super Zoom' and 'Cubic Sharper' yield mixed results depending on the image content.
  • 🌐 Using Photoshop's Camera Raw interface with 'Super Resolution' enhances the image quality.
  • 🤖 'Topaz Gigapixel' AI upscaling plugin provides advanced detail enhancement and noise reduction.
  • 🏆 Topaz Gigapixel is ranked as the best upscaler among the tested methods.
  • 🔄 Combining different upscaling methods can yield even better results for specific image types.

Q & A

  • What are the four different methods discussed for upscaling images in Photoshop?

    -The four methods discussed are using the Image Size filter, Free Transform, Super Resolution from the Camera Raw interface, and the Topaz Gigapixel AI upscaling plugin.

  • How does the 'Image Size' filter work in Photoshop?

    -The 'Image Size' filter allows users to adjust the dimensions of an image. Users can scale up or down the image by changing the percentage value and selecting different interpolation methods such as Nearest Neighbor, Bilinear, Bicubic, or Preserve Details to achieve varying levels of smoothness and detail in the upscaled image.

  • What is the advantage of using 'Preserve Details' in the 'Image Size' filter?

    -Using 'Preserve Details' in the 'Image Size' filter helps to maintain more of the original image's sharpness and detail when upscaling. It is particularly useful for enlargement as it reduces the blurriness and artifacts that can occur with other interpolation methods.

  • How does 'Super Resolution' in the Camera Raw interface enhance images?

    -Super Resolution in the Camera Raw interface works by doubling the resolution of an image. It attempts to enhance details such as edges and textures, making the upscaled image look sharper and more defined.

  • What is the 'Super Zoom' filter in Photoshop, and how does it perform?

    -Super Zoom is a neural filter in Photoshop that upscales images while trying to maintain details and reduce noise. It provides a decent result, but it can introduce some noise and artifacts, especially when compared to more advanced upscaling methods like Topaz Gigapixel.

  • What is Topaz Gigapixel, and how does it compare to native Photoshop upscaling methods?

    -Topaz Gigapixel is an AI upscaling plugin that integrates with Photoshop. It adds details and enhances the quality of upscaled images more effectively than native Photoshop methods, providing smoother textures and better detail preservation. It can upscale images up to six times the original size.

  • Which method is best for upscaling line work and black and white drawings?

    -For line work and black and white drawings, Super Zoom is found to be effective in smoothing and defining the lines, while Topaz Gigapixel provides a cleaner look and better detail enhancement.

  • How can the different upscaling methods affect the quality of a photo?

    -Different upscaling methods can have varying effects on photo quality. Some methods may introduce blurriness or noise, while others like Topaz Gigapixel can add details and textures, making the photo look more natural and high-resolution.

  • What is the main drawback of using 'Super Zoom' for upscaling images?

    -The main drawback of using 'Super Zoom' is that it can introduce noise and artifacts, making the upscaled image look less clean and smooth compared to other methods like Topaz Gigapixel.

  • How does the 'Preserve Details 2.0' setting affect image enlargement?

    -The 'Preserve Details 2.0' setting is an enhanced version of the 'Preserve Details' interpolation method. It tends to provide a smoother enlargement while still maintaining a good level of detail, but it may lose some fine details, especially when used at higher enlargement percentages.

  • What other types of AI upscales are mentioned for future comparison?

    -While no specific names are given, the script mentions that there are other AI upscales available which will be compared in future content, indicating that there is a broader range of upscaling tools beyond the methods discussed in the video.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 Upscaling Images in Photoshop: Methods and Comparison

This paragraph introduces the topic of upscaling images using various methods in Photoshop. The author presents four different images, including a Batman drawing, a piece of AI art, and a photo, all of similar size and resolution. The goal is to determine which upscaling method works best for enhancing image quality without losing detail. The first method discussed involves using the Image Size filter and comparing different interpolation options like Nearest Neighbor, Bilinear, Bicubic, and Preserve Details. The author then demonstrates the effects of these filters on a facial image, noting that Preserve Details offers the sharpest and smoothest result, especially when enlarged to 300%.

05:01

🖼️ Evaluating Upscaling Techniques: Results and Artifacts

The second paragraph delves into the results of applying different upscaling techniques to the provided images. The author evaluates the outcomes of using Super Resolution, Super Zoom, and Topaz Gigapixel AI upscaling plug-in. Each method is tested on the images, and the author observes that while Super Resolution and Super Zoom produce some artifacts, Topaz Gigapixel manages to add more detail and texture, particularly in areas like hair and skin. The author also notes that Gigapixel outperforms the native Photoshop tools, offering a cleaner and more detailed result. The comparison includes examining the impact of these methods on the texture and detail of the images, with Gigapixel emerging as the top choice for enhancing facial features and maintaining the quality of hair strands.

10:02

🏆 Ranking Upscaling Methods: Topaz Gigapixel vs. Photoshop Tools

In this paragraph, the author ranks the upscaling methods discussed, highlighting Topaz Gigapixel as the premium choice for enhancing image quality. The author compares the effectiveness of Gigapixel with Photoshop's native tools on different types of images, such as a facial portrait, a bird photograph, and a line drawing. The results show that while Gigapixel offers the most detail and smoothness, Super Zoom performs well for line work, providing a cleaner look than the standard image size upscaling. The author concludes that combining different methods can yield even better results and mentions plans to compare more AI upscales in the future. The paragraph ends with a recommendation for Topaz Gigapixel and a summary of the insights gained from testing various upscaling techniques in Photoshop.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Upscale Images

The process of increasing the resolution or size of digital images while maintaining or improving their quality. In the video, this is the main focus as different methods in Photoshop are explored to achieve this goal with various types of images.

💡Photoshop

A popular image editing software developed by Adobe Inc., widely used for photo manipulation, graphic design, and digital art. In the context of the video, Photoshop is the platform where the image upscaling techniques are being applied.

💡Image Size Filter

A tool within Photoshop that allows users to adjust the dimensions of an image. It is one of the methods explored in the video for upscaling images, where the filter's different interpolation settings like Nearest Neighbor, Bilinear, Bicubic, and Preserve Details are compared for their effectiveness.

💡Interpolation

A mathematical method used to estimate values between known values. In image editing, interpolation is used to add new pixels when resizing images, which can affect the quality of the upscaled image. The video discusses various interpolation methods like Nearest Neighbor, Bilinear, and Bicubic.

💡Super Resolution

A technology that enhances the resolution of images, often used to improve image quality when scaling up. In the video, Super Resolution is one of the upscaling methods tested within Photoshop's Camera Raw interface.

💡Neural Filters

A type of artificial intelligence-based filters that use neural networks to apply effects or alterations to images. In the video, Super Zoom is an example of a neural filter available in Photoshop, which is used to upscale images with a focus on detail preservation.

💡Topaz Gigapixel

A premium AI upscaling plugin for Photoshop developed by Topaz Labs, known for its ability to increase image resolution while adding detailed textures and maintaining image quality. It is presented in the video as a comparison to Photoshop's native upscaling methods.

💡Line Work

Refers to the outlines and lines used in drawings or illustrations to define shapes and forms. In the context of the video, line work is an important aspect of the Batman drawing that needs to be preserved and enhanced when upscaling.

💡Noise Reduction

The process of reducing or eliminating visual noise or artifacts in digital images, which often appears as random variations in brightness or color. In the video, noise reduction is a feature of some upscaling methods, aiming to improve the overall image quality.

💡Detail Preservation

The ability to maintain the clarity and sharpness of details in an image when it is upscaled. The video emphasizes the importance of detail preservation when choosing the best upscaling method for different types of images.

Highlights

The video compares four different methods for upscaling images in Photoshop.

Three images of varying types are used for the comparison: a Batman drawing, a piece of AI art, and a photo from paxils.com.

The image size filter and free transform options are discussed, with a focus on interpolation methods like nearest neighbor, bilinear, and bicubic.

The 'Preserve Details' filter is highlighted for its ability to bring life to images, especially in darker outlines and details.

The 'Preserve Details 2.0' setting is noted for its smoothness but is criticized for losing too much detail in photos.

The 'Super Intelligent Bird' image demonstrates the effectiveness of the 'Preserve Details' method for maintaining image quality.

The 'Cubic Sharper' option is recommended for black and white line work and drawings.

Photoshop's Camera Raw interface is used to enhance the Batman image, with a focus on super resolution and noise reduction.

The 'Super Zoom' filter is introduced as a neural filter within Photoshop that can upscale images with noise reduction capabilities.

Topaz Gigapixel AI is presented as an advanced upscaling plugin for Photoshop, capable of adding significant detail and texture to images.

Gigapixel is noted for its ability to enhance skin texture and add blemishes, making it a top choice for photo-like images.

The 'Image Size' method is found to be effective for line work, but Gigapixel provides a cleaner look.

A comparison of all methods is conducted, with Gigapixel coming out on top for detailed enhancement.

The video concludes with a recommendation for Gigapixel for its advanced upscaling capabilities and a teaser for future comparisons with other AI upscales.