Despite a lack of extra features and some speed issues, this program delivers on its promise of resizing digital images without any loss of visual sharpness. This program makes the resizing process easy: you simply load a file, specify size and resolution, then choose from one of seven algorithms that will help preserve sharpness. The simple interface includes a preview screen that allows you to scroll through all pictures in a folder. The program works in batch mode but lacks additional features unrelated to the resizing process. In our tests, the program did its job, though Stoik Smart Resizer noticeably slowed when processing a large file. Nevertheless, folks who routinely resize large batches of images might want to try this one on for size.
What’s new in version 2.0
The updated STOIK Smart Resizer algorithm.The two additional scene-oriented image resizing modes apply newly designated algorithms to provide quality enlargements of landscape and natural images ("Natural Scene"), cityscapes or man-made objects ("Artificial Scene"). Full Windows 7 compatibility. Integration with STOIK's latest version of a photo processing suite, STOIK Imagic.
Expensive, although there are coupons available on third party sites & it is cheaper then some of the other commercial resizers out there.
Summary
I'm using this program to resize images for ebay listings. As others have mentioned the demo doesn't let you save pics so it's hard to tell the actual quality improvement. But it looked like it did work to me, and I found a site selling it for 40% off, and decided to go for it. I'm glad I did since it really does work. The pictures I resized with free web based tools are very blury, whereas using this program I can resize the same pictures and they stay clear, and somehow they also stay small sizes as well. Highly recommended especially if you find it at a discount like I did. Just as a tip to others resizing stock photos, the modes smart artificial or advanced artificial seem to produce the best results for me.
It is NOT "Free Trial"- many features are disabled
WindScents
Pros
It "might" be good software, but without being able to save a modified file (unless purchased), I'll never know.
Cons
Many features in the "Free Trial" are disabled. I cannot, therefore, verify that the result is good or not!!
Summary
Who knows!!? Without being able to save a modified file with the "Free Trial", how does one know if this is any good. At $50, too risky to find out.
Best Resizer For Enlarging Low Res Images
mistertee
Pros
Best image resizer for dramatically improving quality of enlarging low res images for printing, archival, or web use. Also does a great job preserving details of images to be reduced in size. Works with single images or batch processing. Virtually no learning curve.
Cons
If it's unique functionality isn't important in your work, the price may seem high considering it primarily does only one thing.
Summary
As just about anyone knows, Virtually ANY photo editing program allows the user to enlarge or reduce an image. Additionally, there are numerous standalone apps (many of which are freeware) that offer the same functionality. The problem is, although some of them include several traditional algorithms (bilinear, bicubic, etc) they don't necessarily do a good job of preserving image quality, especially in the case of enlarging. Specifically, when you enlarge a low resolution image using a conventional algorithm you're likely to see quite a loss in image quality, i.e., pixelization. An example of this would be where you might crop a small portion of a large digital image (perhaps an individual's face) because you don't want to print the entire photo. After cropping, you see that the detail has been lost resulting in print quality that is well below what you had hoped for. That's where Stoik Smart Resizer comes in.
In addition to the standard algorithms, Stoik includes 5 proprietary choices from the dropdown menu that do a far better job of improving enlargement quality. It's easy to switch between the various types to preview the results of each before making your selection. Quite honestly, the results are often amazing. I've experimented with several other applications that offer similar functionality and none have proven to be as effective or easy to use.
Now the downside... $50 is a lot of money for an application that does only one thing. In my opinion Stoik gets away with it because they know that such functionality can't be found elsewhere. I'm not dissing them for this. Afterall, they've gone to the expense of developing a unique specialty application that's certainly not likely to produce mass-market sales volume. So in short, if the ability to create exceptionally high quality enlargements is the missing link in your image editing arsenal, Stoik is probably worth the expense.
All of that said, I always recommend experimenting with the trial version of shareware applications before purchasing. Unfortunately in this case, the trial version does not allow you to save an image. You can however view the results (same as in the registered version) to determine if the product lives up to your expectations.
so many problems - No customer support!
yelwbkrd35
Pros
resizer is good yet you need to buy the imagic5 software to use it.
Cons
slow to print then stopped all together
expensive NO customer service
Summary
I used the resizer with Stiok Imagic software. Slow to print at first then stopped printing altogether. Contacted company NO reply for 2 weeks I got the run around deleted both programs, they are useless without being able to print. Give it a one star only becuase resizer was pretty good. Spend your money somewhere else!
it suck's no good
mattzweck
Pros
it' good with pictures
Cons
don't know what it's use for
Summary
don't get this product try paint.net lot better to can get free updates
God product
Pros
- High quality
- Simple to use
- Batch processing
Cons
Not free ...
Summary
Worth it's money
Works well
spynoodle
Pros
Resizes well, clear image.
Cons
Seems to force certain resolutions when resizing images.
Summary
Works great, worked well for resizing a desktop background that I found on the internet.
Great! Beats Everything Else I've Tried.
mistertee
Pros
Allows you to resize low-res images without significant loss of quality or digital artificating, automated processing, simple to use.
Cons
Standalone only (not available as a PotoShop compatible plugin), a bit pricey.
Summary
If you need to resize low-res images (web pictures, cell phone shots, etc.) this standalone app can't be beat! Although the software is nearly 5 years old it still blows the socks off the integrated resizing filters in programs like Paint Shop Pro or PhotoShop Elements. Expensive for an app that performs a single function but what a difference it makes when enlarging low-res images for printing! In most cases you can resize up to 75%( or more) with very good results.
I'd also like to mention another excellent app from STOIK called "Noise AutoFix 1.6". Rather than drift off-topic I've written a separate review here on CNET.
Very easy to operate but loss of quality is dramatic.
jukes101
Pros
Ease of configuration
Cons
You can actually see the loss of quality as you re-size your pictures, it is very poor. I find it much better to re-size my pics with paint and there are lots of freeware programs available for example Photo Gadget to name but a few.
Summary
Definitely not worth it even if it was Freeware. I cannot comment on size enlargement,
as i only used the software for re-sizing down.
