How do I best scale a screenshot in Gimp to avoid a blurry effect?

gimp images

7,006

Solution 1

Do you mean "blurry" or "reduced detail"? Obviously, you lose information when resizing down. I've always used None and my screencaps ended up being used in publications, ads, etc.

The way to get a good screencap at small size is to avoid needing to reduce very much, for instance by shrinking windows to the very smallest size that still shows all the details you need, then capturing just that window (alt-PrtSc).

Solution 2

I would use Sinc interpolation (today LoHalo) as it gives the least blur, other than the blocky none.

When complete, do a sharpen pass to tighten it up. Works well for me.

7,006

TheSavage

Updated on September 17, 2022

Comments

TheSavage almost 2 years

I'm using Gimp 2.6.1 on Windows Vista.

I take a screenshot using the Print Screen button and paste it into Gimp.

I crop away some of the edges, then I select Image > Scale Image... and reduce this to around 400px, maintaining the ratio.

I have tried each of the interpolation options, None, Linear, Cubic and Sinc (Lanczos3) and all still result in a blurry image.

Any tips on how to get a better result?

Original:

Linear:

Cubic:

Sinc:

No interpolation:

It's not so much that I want to be able to read the text, I'd just like it to be less blurry.

Thanks.
- rusty almost 14 years
  
  It might help if you posted an example image and explained the specific problems.
- Naidim almost 14 years
  
  Remember to never use jpeg for screenshots. Use .png, or at least .gif. Sorry for having to remind you, but many people do not realise this.
- TheSavage almost 14 years
  
  @Velociraptors - Added some files.
- TheSavage almost 14 years
  
  @jason404 - Good point, I'll have a look at other image formats.
- Naidim almost 14 years
  
  jpeg is good for compressing images with graduated colour, like photographs. Compressing computer graphics and text with jpeg will lead to blurriness and artefacts, especially as you increase the compression level. .gif does a much better job, and with .png you can compress 'losslessly', with the image looking exactly the same as the uncompressed original.
jor almost 14 years

next to shrinking windows, also reduce the screen/desktop resolution. Windows can render things like texts (fonts) in lower resolutions better then scaling a screenshot
Johan Karlsson over 11 years

Please elaborate on this answer. How is it performed in GIMP? (Which is what is asked for.)