Which Resample Filter Do I Use?

Resample filters change how the pixels in an image are affected when you resize an image.  Some filters add a blurring effect while others maintain the hard edges between different areas of the image.  The effect of each filter is subjective, so it is recommended that you experiment with each of them when you resize an image.  FotoCanvas has seven filters available for use.

Resample Filter

 

Box

Produces simple replication of scalar values, but shows considerable tiling or jaggies on resize.

Triangle

Computationally simple, with sharp transition lines, yields sufficiently good results for both reduction and magnification.

Bicubic

Uses a process called Interpolation to minimize the raggedness normally associated with expanding an image. Interpolation smoothes out rough spots by estimating how the missing pixels should appear, and then filling them with the appropriate color. It produces good results with photo-realistic images and with images that are irregular or complex. Use Bicubic resample when enlarging an image.

Bell

Smoothes the image

B-spline

Produces no sharp transitions, but may cause excessive blurring.

Lanczos

Produces the sharpest images, but may also introduce some ringing artifacts. If your images look fuzzy after resizing, use the Sharpen tool to smooth them.

Mitchell

Produces no sharp transitions, good compromise between the "ringing" of Lanczos and "blurring" of other filters. An excellent choice for photo-realistic images when used with the Sharpen tool. The Mitchell resample method is also your best choice when enlarging images.