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What is a fractal?
A fractal denotes a shape that appears similar at all scales of magnification. As such, fractals are a very useful way to represent “real-world” images. Approximate fractals can be found in nature very easily. Objects such as clouds, snow flakes, mountains or river networks often display self-similar structures over an extended, but finite scale range.
Why it matters that it is Genuine
When you increase the size of an image (also referred to as up-rezzing or interpolating) new pixels are created. The scaling method used will determine the color values of those new pixels. The better the scaling method used, the more likely it is to look like the original, or “genuine” version.
The default method of interpolation in Photoshop has long been bicubic interpolation. This method is fast, but is flawed because it averages colors together resulting in blurred edges and loss of detail. The most recent offering from Photoshop is Bicubic Smoother which is better than standard bicubic, but in the end, it is still just doubling pixels and then smoothing them. The result, averaged color values, blurred edges with some smoothing applied.
Genuine Fractals approaches the scaling problem differently.
Before any scaling is done, Genuine Fractals evaluates the image. It then samples a larger area of the image than the bicubic methods to determine the new color values that are to be created. If the new color values are not within an acceptable range of colors - one that resembles the original image - those color values are adjusted so they match. The result is a much sharper image that retains much more of the detail found in the original "pre-interpolated" image. See for yourself in the image below. The enlarged portion of the image you see when the mouse is not over the image was "rezzed up" using Genuine Fractals. Mouse over the image to see the same portion enlarged using Bicubic Smoother. Note the details in the leaf and in the yellow paint that is retained when using Genuine Fractals.
NEW! Improved Workflow
Long time users of Genuine Fractals remember having to save files as a .STN file before being able to scale the image. Now in Genuine Fractals 6.0, any file that is opened in Photoshop can be scaled in one easy step. You can still take advantage of the .STN file format when you save the "up-resed" image.
Pro Print 5
If you find yourself working in a strict, CMYK color-managed workflow you will want to use Genuine Fractals 5 Print Pro. If not, you can consider using the standard edition of Genuine Fractals.
Genuine Fractals in your Workflow
For most, using Genuine Fractals 6 Print Pro should be the second to the last step in your digital workflow. After you have made all of your other adjustments including color correction, compositing, adjustment layers and retouching is when you should resize your file using Genuine Fractals. The final step would be to apply your preferred method of sharpening. Be sure to try the sharpening offered within Genuine Fractals 5 Print Pro. The controls are similar to Photoshop's Unsharp Mask but the Genuine Fractals sharpening is only applied to Luminosity Batch Processing with Genuine Fractals
By default Genuine Fractals 5 Print Pro remembers its last used settings. This includes the scaling size. If you have several images that all need to be resized to the same time you can use a Photoshop action and the batch command to automate the process.
Genuine Fractals Mac/Win $149.95
Genuine Fractals Print Pro 5 $289.95
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