Smoothing Graphics

[rhilker]

Whats the best way to smooth a graphic? Especially around the edges.

[rhilker]

Whats the best way to smooth a graphic? Especially around the edges.

[Mark (theKeeper)]

What version of PS do you use, and what type of graphic is it?

[rhilker]

Photoshop 7.0
Most of the stuff I do gets saved to web, so I'm either using jpegs or gif. I would consider png if it makes a difference.

[Grafixman]

If you're talking about jagged edges in black and white images, you could try a tiny amount of gaussian blur, just enough to blur out the jagged edges, then adjust the levels sliders to sharpen it back again. Colored images are a bit more complicated. It would help if you could post some images so we could see what method should be used.

[rhilker]

I'm incorporating this graphic into a logo and when I reduce it a bit it gets jaggedy:

[Grafixman]

This one's easy. You should simply create a circular selection slightly smaller than the globe, avoiding the jagged edges. Make sure that the anti-alias is on for the selection. Convert to layer and you have your smooth globe.

[rhilker]

Thanks, I'm not really sure what you mean by convert to layer but after I draw and select the circle I did and invert cut. ie layer>new>layer via cut. It seemed to smoothe it somewhat.

[Sark]

You've just done what Grafixman suggested, but via a different route. There are usually many ways of achieving an effect in PS.

You have inverted the selection to the background, which you then deleted/cut along with the jagged edge (due to the smooth nature of the selection).

Sark

[AndFarr]

Images such as this are sometimes more easily and accurately manipulated in a vector program such as Xara X1 ( yes, I'm a Xara Fan).
Open the image in Xara and:
- Create a slighly smaller circle with the circle tool and place over globe.
- click "Select all" from edit menu
- click "Arrange"> combine shapes > Intersect Shapes
Your image will be precisely clipped to match the cover circle.
That all!
If you'd like to download a free trial of Xara X1 go to: www.xara.com
-Andrew