Genuine Fractals is a plug-in used with Adobe Photoshop or compatible software that enables you to scale (enlarge or reduce) files using advanced proprietary Fractal and Wavelet technology. This allows you to save time by working in medium-size original files for high-resolution output and encode tiny files from screen-resolution images ideal for Web display.

Genuine Fractals enables you to encode Photoshop images as .STN files and open these files in Photoshop.

When using Genuine Fractals for large-format prints, it is not necessary to scan at the output resolution. You need only between 15MB and 25MB of RGB data to capture an image for almost any size output. For example, you could scan a 4"x5" transparency at 600 dpi to produce a 20MB RGB file, do all your image editing at that scan resolution, then encode the image. Depending on the image, your encoded file will typically be 5MB-10MB. Now, if you need to output the image at 450MB and 60MB, you can generate both resolutions from the same encoded file.

For smaller print-quality output, you can start with a 3.5-9MB original, encode to less than a megabyte, then render the image easily and beautifully to 20MB or more.

The benefit of Genuine Fractals is that it allows you to save your digital images as a single, highly compact (encoded) file, and then reproduce that file in almost any size you wish without having to perform any further digital processing, and save additional copies.

Genuine Fractals files are "resolution-independent" images because they encode your digital files (.JPEG, .TIFF, .GIF, etc.) using advanced proprietary Fractal and Wavelet technology. This means that Genuine Fractals eliminates the relationship between pixels and resolution by mathematically encoding the image as an algorithm that replaces the pixels with a new file structure. When you next open the file, you can re-scale it to the desired size and the plug-in will generate new pixels while maintaining sharpness regardless of image size.

STN files
The .STN file format is based on patented STiNG technology. The .STN format provides Lossless encoding at about 2:1 (and up to 10:1) file size reduction or visually Lossless encoding at typicall 5:1 (and up to 30:1) or more file size reduction. The .STN format also gives you the ability to crop and scale an image for multiple purposes.

Fractal technology
A collection of processes based on fractals, which describe a class of shapes characterized by irregularity, but in a way that evokes a pattern. The distinguishing characteristic of fractals is that they are "self-similar"; any piece of a fractal, when magnified, has the same character as the whole.

Wavelet technology
A collection of processes based on wavelets, which are mathematical functions that vary over a limited extent of time. Genuine Fractals uses its proprietary wavelet technology to efficiently shrink and enlarge digital images.

encode
To convert a graphics file from one size to another, either larger or smaller, for purposes of printing, editing, or transmitting electronically.

Quick Start
1. Open a file in Photoshop.
2. Edit and retouch your image as usual, but omit sharpening for now.
Caution For best results, wait to sharpen your image until you have scaled it to its final output size using Genuine Fractals. Scaling an image that has been sharpened can cause unsightly artifacts. Further, you may want to vary sharpening for different printers and media.

Note Genuine Fractals supports alpha channels and clipping paths but currently does not support multiple layers in the same file. Files must be flattened before encoding.

Note We do not currently support 16-bit mode. We suggest that you use 8-bit for now.

3. Choose File > Save As.
4. From the Format list, choose Genuine Fractals.
5. Specify the folder and file name as usual. Click Save.
6. In the ensuing dialog box, select an encoding method.
For maximum image quality, or if you want to be able to restore your original image exactly, pixel for pixel, choose Lossless encoding.  For more compression (resulting in smaller files), choose Visually Lossless encoding, which still preserves very good image quality.
7. Click Save again.
You have now saved your image in the Genuine Fractals .STN file format.
8. Open the file you just saved in Genuine Fractals.
9. The Genuine Fractals Open Dialog box will appear.
10. Type the resolution you desire in your output file in the lower right space marked Resolution.
Note Make sure Constrain Dimensions is checked when changing the original resolution.
11. Ensure that the box marked Constrain Proportions has been checked.
12. Type in the desired size for the Width: or Height: (The one you do not enter will calculate for you based on the proportions of your original image.)
13. Click Open.
14. Genuine Fractals will render the image to the size and resolution you have requested. Depending on what you asked for and how fast your system is, this may take a few minutes. When the Genuine Fractals rendered image has opened in Photoshop you can work on it as you would any other file. It can also be saved in other formats if needed.
15. Apply any last minute touchups, with sharpening last, and print.
16. If you wish, Save the file in Photoshop, or other, format.

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