Batch Image Resizing in Adobe Photoshop CS3

by Smart Boy on February 5, 2009

in Design

Over the many years I’ve processed photos, I’ve tried and tested many Batch Image Resizing techniques.

First, I painstakingly resized each individual photo in Photoshop. After doing hundreds of these tedious resizings, you can imagine how tiresome one can become. Later, I learned of the Image Resizing tool for Windows XP. I used this tool for quite some time, but wanted something even simpler, yet more powerful.

It wasn’t until I found the Image Processor in Photoshop CS3 that I finally fell in love.

If you have a folder of images you’d like resized for any reason use the following method. Using Photoshop CS3’s built in Image Processor, you have the ability on hand to resize hundreds and thousands of photos.

  1. Open Photoshop CS3
  2. Travel to FILE –> SCRIPTS –> IMAGE PROCESSOR. (screenshot thumbnail posted below)
  3. The IMAGE PROCESSOR dialog box will appear. (screenshot thumbnail posted below)
  4. Select the folder containing the images you’d like processed, and a location folder for the finished images. You can choose the same folder for both options.
  5. Select your processor properties. Here you can choose to process the image as a JPEG, PSD, or even a TIFF file. In most cases, I use the JPEG option.
  6. Once your file type is selected, choose your Quality and Resizing options. If you’re using JPEG, your Quality may range from 0 to 12. In the Resizing area choose your maximum pixels for height and width.
  7. Once all options have been selected – click Run. Photoshop CS3 will get to work like a little busy bee. Shooting out new, resized images every few seconds.

Although simple, this powerful application in Photoshop CS3 makes for an excellent batch resizing companion.

Whether you’re resizing images for Flickr, emails, or other site uploads – remember to use Photoshop’s batch image resizing capabilities. You’ll be saved from a world of hurt.

Screenshot Thumbnails

Share your methods for batch image resizing!

 
  • Mandee
    I installed a couple of plug ins, and now the image processor resize doesn't work. I think I'm missing a script. Do you know what the problem might be?
  • In case anyone may be interested, I thought I'd let you know what I found that worked just like a magic show. It's for a Mac, so I'm not sure how many folks on here might be able to use it, but it's called, "iResizer". It did the job for me in no time.
  • Thank you. n_n
  • My eyes are swollen and bloodshot after scouring the internet for hours looking for a way to batch resize 960 x 720 images to a 16:9 aspect ratio. I've found several options for simple rescaling, but none yet for true resizing. Pardon me for saying, Smart Boy, but I don't consider CS3's Image Processor powerful for this same feat. I would consider quite the opposite. I don't understand why it even offers both height and width as options when it doesn't have the capability to affect both without constraining proportions.

    Any chance you know of a way to accomplish my batch task?

    Thanks,
    DP
  • Yamik Mateo
    Kudos to you!

    Yamik
    Philippines
  • Glad to have helped. Thanks!
  • Elbie
    Thank you for explaining this.
    An incredible time saver!
  • Thank you. I was having so much trouble trying to make an action in CS3. When I used your method it worked the first time. I needed it, I resized 80 photos and posted them . Thank You. Jim
  • Bob
    what if you need 500x500 images this is not efficient to do those if needed to do them twice.
  • mtnavaholic
    Sameer- IF all your images are the same size: Open one image in PS, choose Image-> Image Size to determine actual pixel dimensions. Enter 500 into the Height field. The width will automatically change proportionately. Take note of these values and plug them into the Image Processor Script. Crack a cold one and let PS do the work for you. Now THAT'S MULTI-TASKING...!
  • Unfortunately this script on Photoshop can only process maximum pixels. It will automatically change the height AND width to proportion - so your images won't get distorted using this feature. Another reason why it's so powerful!
  • Sameer
    Instead of resizing in pixel is there a way to resize in % coz I always don't have squares. What should I do If I have 2735px X 6804px, actually I have alot of with similar sizes and dont know how to make them smaller with out distorting them. I want all 500px in Hight I dont care what the width changes to. Please let me know.

    Thanks
  • the batch resizing has been in photoshop since CS1. I think.

    Powerful tool...saves allot of time....combine it with actions...it becomes even more powerful.

    Good post.
  • I'll check out VSO. Sounds interesting.

    Thanks Llevon, for reading and posting. I say this often - but I really do appreciate when readers take the time to post comments.

    Christian
  • This is a great tip. I never thought CS3 has this feature. When I do batch resizing, i usually use the ACTIONS.

    i never thought there's such a thing.

    i also downloaded a program called VSO image resizer. it works pretty well, it allows you to batch resize images and you can even put a watermark.

    -- Llevon
    Philippines,

    Great site though!
  • Thank you Cowboy, Krisditya, and eddie for reading. Hopefully this simple tip helps you in your imaging adventures!
  • eddie
    Great tip , thankyou so much
  • Tips of interest. I thank you. Success always

    Regard
  • Thanks. Good post.
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