CS4 - Using Content-Aware Scaling

Thursday, January 01 2009

In this tutorial, we will be looking at one of the many new features introduced into Adobe PhotoShop Creative Suite 4, Content-Aware Scaling (or CAS). CAS uses a rather complex mathematical algorithm that decides what is important in an image, and what is expendable, when it comes to altering or discarding information upon resizing.
However, it wouldn't be an Adobe product if you couldn't manipulate the function and use it to its best advantage. In this tutorial, we will explore a few ways of getting the best out of the Content-Aware Scale.

We will begin with a sample image, such as:

Before anything else, let's make a duplicate layer so that we can compare our results. Right-click the layer and choose Duplicate Layer.
Now, to use CAS, goto the Edit menu, and then click Content-Aware Scaling.

We migrated our web sites to Server Intellect over one weekend and the setup was so smooth that we were up and running right away. They assisted us with everything we needed to do for all of our applications. With Server Intellect's help, we were able to avoid any headaches!

You will notice that it looks like a regular Free Transform. But go ahead and resize the image, and you should see that the girl remains relatively untouched as you resize - the algorithm correctly predicted that she was the main focus of the image:

Compared to the original image, there is still some distortion to the girl. So undo the last resize and click on the Protect Skin Tones icon () in the toolbar of the CAS tool (at the top, when selected).
Now try resizing with CAS again:

Notice that we get a much less distorted image of the girl with this option selected. It protects pixels that match the tones of skin. Another example indicating this is below:

Original:

Without Protect Skin Tones:

With Protect Skin Tones:

Yes, it is possible to find a good web host. Sometimes it takes a while. After trying several, we went with Server Intellect and have been very happy. They are the most professional, customer service friendly and technically knowledgeable host we've found so far.

You may also have noticed the Protect drop-down menu next to the Skin Tones option. With this, we can set parts of the image to be more important than others. We do this by using Channels.
For this example, we will use the following image:

Now goto the Channels panel (Window > Channels), and create a new Channel. It should be named Alpha 1 by Default, but the name doesn't really matter, and it should be filled with Black. You can click the eye of the RGB channel to see the image through the new channel, like so:

Next, choose a White Brush, and making sure you have the new Channel selected, paint there areas you do not want scaled, like so:

We moved our web sites to Server Intellect and have found them to be incredibly professional. Their setup is very easy and we were up and running in no time.

Now we can click on the eye by the new Channel to hide it, and go back to our Layers panel. Goto Edit > Content-Aware Scale and then from the Protect menu, choose the name of the Channel you just created:

Proceed to scale the image and notice that the areas you painted with White in the Channel are left unchanged:

Original:

CAS with Alpha 1 Protected:

Download Project Source - Enter your Email to be emailed a link to download the Full Source Project used in this Tutorial!



100% SPAM FREE! We will never sell or rent your email address!
 

Guys, please take a look at Server Intellect for Windows Web Hosting. I'm very pleased. You will be too. Take a look and see for yourself!

Comments

Uzzal said on 03/04/2009 at 9:48 PM

wow!very happy to know about this tool. Thank you so much for sharing this.

pandora jewelry said on 02/07/2010 at 11:47 PM

I appreciate the work you guys put in to make this world a better place for the disabled. Thanks!

swarovski diamantes said on 02/24/2010 at 3:32 PM

This will be useful if you are restricted to an aspect and you need certain content in the image.

m65 field jacket said on 02/28/2010 at 3:36 AM

good read thanks for the share

kamagra said on 02/28/2010 at 3:36 AM

thanks

156-215 said on 04/06/2010 at 4:17 AM

good read thanks for the share

Links of London Jewellery said on 04/06/2010 at 10:08 PM

I decided it was time to confront myself.That night at home,I took off all my clothes and had a long look at the woman in the mirror.She was androgynous.Take my face - without makeup,it was a cute young boy‘s face.My shoulder muscles,arms and hands were powerful and muscular from the crutches.I had no breasts; instead,there were two prominent scars on my chest.I had a sexy flat stomach,a bubble butt and a well-developed thigh from years of ski racing.My right leg ended in another long scar just above the knee.

flv to dvd converter said on 04/12/2010 at 3:58 AM

thanks for sharing your special ideas with us , thanks and regards to all

wedding dresses said on 04/26/2010 at 7:53 AM

thanks and regards to all

wedding dresses said on 04/26/2010 at 7:53 AM

thanks and regards to all

EC0-350 said on 05/05/2010 at 5:54 AM

High quality Cisco, HP, IBM, Oracle and other Certification exmas training materials are provided here at Pass4sure Pass4sure helps you on your way to your certifications

SY0-101 said on 05/05/2010 at 5:54 AM

High quality Cisco, HP, IBM, Oracle and other Certification exmas training materials are provided here at Pass4sure Pass4sure helps you on your way to your certifications

642-359 said on 05/05/2010 at 5:54 AM

High quality Cisco, HP, IBM, Oracle and other Certification exmas training materials are provided here atPass4sure Pass4sure helps you on your way to your certifications

GHD Straighteners said on 05/07/2010 at 12:04 AM

GHD straighteners sale,we offer high quality cheap ghd hair straighteners at wholesale price,all discount GHD Straighteners are Free Shipping. GHD straighteners have been leading the hair fashion and very hot among women around the world. GHD hair straighteners is most popular of hair straighteners for them. GHD is the well-known brand which represents the outstanding transformation of hair tools in 21st century.all orders will enjoy free shipping,if they are placed from http://www.onsale-ghd.com

Adidas shoes said on 05/08/2010 at 1:45 AM

Great post, you are working great on this blog, i just want to say you that just keep it up.

nike shoes said on 05/08/2010 at 1:46 AM

This is not the first of your posts I've read, and you never cease to amaze me. Thank you, and I look forward to reading more.

birkenstock said on 05/22/2010 at 12:55 AM

Birkenstock is a German brand of sandals and other shoes, notable for their contoured cork and rubber footbeds which conform somewhat to the shape of their wearers' feet. Birkenstock shoes have deep heel cup to ensure proper weght distribution and foot alignment. You can wear Birkenstock sandals to everywhere you want to. Latest Birkenstocks are on nearly 50% discount in www.digdig-birkenstock.com . Free shipping worldwide!

www.digdig-birkenstock.com birkenstock shoes

www.digdig-birkenstock.com birkenstock

www.digdig-birkenstock.com birkenstock sandals

www.digdig-birkenstock.com birkenstocks

www.digdig-birkenstock.com birkenstock gizeh

adidas outlet said on 05/24/2010 at 10:05 PM

In America many people have a romantic idea of life in the countryside. adidas shoes

Abercrombie Fitch said on 06/01/2010 at 10:21 PM

thank you very much !

cheap designer handbags said on 06/03/2010 at 4:01 AM

A cheap designer handbags is a sign of taste and fashion,it is also a symbol of social status and recognition.As we know,Miu miu Handbags are one of the most popular Jimmy Choo Handbags lines in the world.They have a large demand among fashion socialites.Any woman who carries a cheap mulberry bags or a Miu Miu wallet in her hand will be considered as a person with a nice taste.

Lacoste Sale said on 06/03/2010 at 4:01 AM

Lacoste shoes are popular for sports and everyday wear like the Lacoste sale.Cheap Lacoste Swerve Shoes Online,Free Shipping,100% Guarantee.Now all Lacoste Shoes for man Discount,all the Lacoste online are packed with original box,and the tags and style code number is 100% correct.

puma sneakers said on 06/03/2010 at 4:02 AM

Puma online store supply cheap Puma Shoes-puma ferrari Shoes,puma running Shoes, puma mens shoes In Silver Black $67.00. Save: 52% off.

tiffany necklace said on 06/03/2010 at 4:02 AM

Good news,600+ Styles Tiffany Jewellery Cheap hot sale now with discount,Save up

to 45%.Beautiful discount tiffany rings,tiffany necklace,tiffany Pendants,tiffany earrings and tiffany Bracelets for you,Worldwide Shipment,Quality Guaranteed.Girls are tend to love the beautiful and fashionable tiffany jewllery sale which would make you have a good mood in a day,If you wear our tiffany heart necklace. You will become more attractive.Hurry up!Shop 2010 New Style Cheap nike basketall shoes for sale!58% offf.Mens basketball shoes,Nike Basketball Shoes Clearance Sale! Buy discount 2010 Nba Basketball Shoes,kobe bryant shoes,Lebron James shoes online,100% Quality with cheap price.

cheap tiffany said on 06/04/2010 at 1:37 AM

Nice Post. It’s really a very good article. I noticed all your important points. Thanks!

cheap tiffany said on 06/04/2010 at 1:37 AM

Nice Post. It’s really a very good article. I noticed all your important points. Thanks!

Nike Air Jordan said on 06/08/2010 at 12:05 PM

thanks

cheap coach handbag said on 06/11/2010 at 10:56 PM

one should be equipped with the right knowledge and skill in choosing which handbag would perfectly suit his or her lifestyle.

cheap coach handbag said on 06/11/2010 at 10:56 PM

one should be equipped with the right knowledge and skill in choosing which handbag would perfectly suit his or her lifestyle.

emmitt smith jersey said on 06/12/2010 at 2:16 AM

thanks, the tool is quite useful.

uggs boots on sale said on 06/19/2010 at 1:14 AM

great post

i like it

http://www.sellnikesbs.com

parker pen said on 06/25/2010 at 3:23 AM

If you have a vintage pen and wish to sell it properly on ebay, with good description and sense of the market, please drop us a line at the email address noted below. I enjoy discussing vintage pens with collectors and enjoy looking at pics of nice vintage pens. This service is provided free of charge.

hollister uk said on 07/07/2010 at 10:55 PM

You may notice that the edges of the fireball are a little rough

louis vuitton bags on sale said on 07/19/2010 at 9:48 AM

useful~~

louis vuitton bags on sale said on 07/19/2010 at 9:53 AM

goodgoodgoodgoodgood

louis vuitton bags on sale said on 07/19/2010 at 10:03 AM

great Wearing Mbt shoes provides many pro-body benefits: this is the result of an increasing number of international studies supporting the numerous health benefits of the “anti-shoe “. Here is a excited plac

Cheap Wedding Dresses said on 07/19/2010 at 10:56 PM

nice tips, i love your blog

handy efox said on 07/21/2010 at 3:46 AM

it cost me two years to learn this ,but I can't better than you.thank you.good luck!http://www.efox-shop.com/

ghd hair straighteners said on 07/21/2010 at 3:55 AM

i believe you are a good writer, but have you erver thought to write some special artcals for peopel who likes shopping very much. for exaple, the article about[url=http://www.bestlvbags.com/]louis vuitton bag[/url] or[url=http://www.vibramfivefinger.us/]vibram shoes[/url],

gucci bags said on 07/26/2010 at 6:08 AM

<a href="http://www.guccicn.net" title="gucci bags"><strong>gucci bags</strong></a>

<a href="http://www.guccicn.net" title="gucci bag"><strong>gucci bag</strong></a>

<a href="http://www.guccicn.net" title="gucci handbags"><strong>gucci handbags</strong></a>

<a href="http://www.guccicn.net" title="gucci handbag"><strong>gucci handbag</strong></a>

<a href="http://www.guccicn.net" title="discount gucci handbags"><strong>discount gucci handbags</strong></a>

gucci bags said on 07/26/2010 at 9:49 PM

thank you

Blu Ray Converter said on 07/27/2010 at 4:23 AM

What's more, Blu-ray to AVI also provides you with the edit function, you can according to your wishes to adjust its video size, video quality, channel, and audio quality, you can also crop it by setting its start and end time. How wonderful this Blu-ray to AVI Converter!!

Abercrombie outlet said on 07/29/2010 at 5:14 AM

Thank you for the information

The article is very professionally written. I enjoy reading every day

good url!

good web!

Leave a Comment