Resizing an Image

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The behavior of the Graphics editor while resizing an image depends on whether the selection includes the entire image or just part of it.

When the selection includes only part of the image, the Graphics editor shrinks the selection by deleting rows or columns of pixels and filling the vacated regions with the current background color, or it stretches the selection by duplicating rows or columns of pixels.

When the selection includes the entire image, the Graphics editor either shrinks and stretches the image, or crops and extends it.

There are two mechanisms for resizing an image: the resizing handles and the property page. You can drag the sizing handles to change the size of all or part of an image. Sizing handles that you can drag are solid. You cannot drag handles that are hollow. You can use the property page to resize the entire image only, not a selected part.

Note If you have the Tile Grid option selected (see the Grid Settings command on the Image menu), then resizing snaps to the next tile grid line. If only the Pixel Grid option is selected, resizing snaps to the next available pixel. Usually, only the Pixel Grid option is selected.

What do you want to do?

Resize an entire image using the Property page

Crop or extend an entire image

Shrink or stretch an entire image

Shrink or stretch part of an image

To resize an entire image using the Property page

Open the image whose properties you want to change.
From the View menu, choose Properties.
In the Width and Height boxes, type the dimensions that you want.
If you are increasing the size of the image, the Graphics editor extends the image to the right, downward, or both, and fills the new region with the current background color. The image is not stretched.
If you are decreasing the size of the image, the Graphics editor crops the image on the right or bottom edge, or both.

You can use the Width and Height properties to resize only the entire image, not to resize a partial selection.

To crop or extend an entire image

Select the entire image.
If part of the image is currently selected, and you want to select the entire image, click anywhere on the image outside the current selection border.
Drag a sizing handle until the image is the desired size.

Normally, the Graphics editor crops or enlarges an image when you resize it by moving a sizing handle. If you hold down the SHIFT key as you move a sizing handle, the Graphics editor shrinks or stretches the image.

To shrink or stretch an entire image

Select the entire image.
If a part of the image is currently selected and you want to select the entire image, click anywhere on the image outside the current selection border.
Hold down the SHIFT key and drag a sizing handle until the image is the desired size.

To shrink or stretch part of an image

Select the part of the image you want to resize. For more information, see Selecting an Area of the Image.
Drag one of the sizing handles until the selection is the desired size.