Printing 300 dpi file vs 600 dpi

[Marvin Horlick]

Hello. As a test I scanned a color photo at 300 dpi and 600 dpi. When I open the photo in elements version 2.0 and click print size, it shows both photos as the same print size on screen. And it even prints it at the same size (4 x 6). Does elements automatically resize to a default print size no matter what the scan resolution? Thanks!

[Peter Gaunt]

In article <2ccd3475.-1@webx.la2eafNXanI>, Marvin Horlick
<marvy1@aol.com> wrote:

> Hello. As a test I scanned a color photo at 300 dpi and 600 dpi. When I open
> the photo in elements version 2.0 and click print size, it shows both photos
> as the same print size on screen. And it even prints it at the same size (4 x
> 6). Does elements automatically resize to a default print size no matter what
> the scan resolution? Thanks!

Ah, but the 600dpi photo was printed at twice the resolution (assuming
the printer could cope which it probably couldn't).

The 600dpi scan has four times as many pixels as the 300dpi scan. If
you look at the file size it should be four times as big (if it's saved
uncompressed). What PE2 does when you view at print size is to take
into account the dpi setting which is stored in the file. So, it'll say
'ah-ha, this image is 1800 pixels wide and is meant to print at 600
dpi. I will therefore print it 3 inches wide'. For the smaller file it
will say 'this image is 900 pixels wide and is meant to print at 300
dpi. I will therefore print it 3 inches wide'.

Try changing the resolution of the 600dpi image to 300dpi /without/
resampling. PE2 will then reckon the 1800 pixel wide image should print
6 inches wide.

Hope that makes some kind of sense. I'm very tired and can't think
quite straight.

[Marvin Horlick]

Peter,

Thank you! It makes sense. - Marvin

[Marvin Horlick]

This is just a test to see if I get email notification when a message is posted to the forum. - Marvin

[Chuck Snyder]

Marvin, if you're going to get e-mail notification any time something is
posted in the forum, you're gonna get a LOT of e-mails... The daily digest
is a good alternative that doesn't clog your mailbox. Just a thought...

Chuck

[Marvin Horlick]

Chuck - Yes. I noticed I got lots and lots of messages. I switched to just the daily digest. Thanks! - Marvin