The problem with resizing large images into thumbnails is the loss of quality due to decisions the resizing algorithms must make when removing pixels. I’ve been editing very large images to maintain a high level of quality for t-shirt printing, but creating the thumbnails (using the Gimp) has yielded poor results, like missing and blurred lines/edges.

I did some experimenting with a vector base image editing program called Inkscape. It has capabilities similar to Illustrator, Freehand, CorelDraw, or Xara X. It will allow me to design and export images to whatever size I need without quality loss, however, I tested importing the large images I created in the GIMP, exporting them to the thumbnail size and it produced crisp images. With the quality of exports I am comfortable continuing to create high dpi, resolution images and using Inkscape to produce the smaller images that will keep my eyes happy.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 2nd, 2007 at 12:36 am and is filed under Linux, Scott, Technology. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.