Resizing and Backgrounds, ZAPP

[KXM]

I am trying to apply for a juried art show and using ZAPP software to fill out the application. To prepare the images of the artwork to be submitted, I downloaded Paint.net, the suggested application in the ZAPP software. The pixel sizes of the images need to be 1920 x 1920 with a black background. If the painting is rectangular, it still needs to appear rectangular, with a black background, when I change the size to 1920 x 1920. Every time I change the size to 1920 x 1920, it changes the image to be square even if the original image was rectangular.

Here are the instructions in ZAPP:

"Reduce the longest edge of the image to 1920 pixels. The shorter side will reduce proportionally. For example, if you have an image that is 2000 pixels by 3000 pixels, reduce the 3000 pixel edge to 1920 pixels. The 2000 pixels edge will automatically reduce to 1280 pixels.

Go to Canvas Size and view the image in pixels. Make sure that the canvas expansion color or background color is set to black.

Expand the canvas size on the shortest end to 1920. For example, take the 1280 side and increase it to 1920. The other side will stay at 1920 and you will see black bands expand around your shorter side."

Can anyone help me figure out how to make this work our correctly?

[david.atwell]

You need to go to Image>Resize, check the Maintain Aspect Ratio box (if it is unchecked), and change the largest number in the dialog box (Length or Width) to 1920. Click OK. Then, if the other box is not 1920, go to Image>Canvas Size, uncheck the Maintain Aspect Ratio box (if it is checked), type "1920" in the box that isn't equal to 1920 (length or width). In the quadrant at the bottom, click the middle button, then click Ok.

Does this help?

[Rick Brewster]

Image->Resize

Make sure "maintain aspect ratio" is checked

Click to the larger of either Width or Height, and type in 1920

Click OK

--> The image is now 1920 x whatever, or whatever x 1920

Image->Canvas Size

Type in 1920 for both Width and Height

Make sure Anchor is in the center

Click OK

If you need a black background, then at this point make a new layer, fill it with black, move it to the bottom, then flatten.

[Rick Brewster]

You need to go to Image>Resize, uncheck the Constrain ProportionsMaintain Aspect Ratio box (if it is checked), and change the largest number in the dialog box (Length or Width) to 1920. Click OK. Then, if the other box is not 1920, go to Image>Canvas Size, uncheck the Constrain Proportions box (if it is checked), type "1920" in the box that isn't equal to 1920 (length or width). In the quadrant at the bottom, click the middle button, then click Ok.

Does this help?

By unchecking Maintain Aspect Ratio, it will distort the image. D'oh.

[david.atwell]

Guah! Too used to Photoshop. Which is odd, since I use PdN more. Fixed.

[KXM]

How do I get a black background? If it's a horizontal painting, it should show a black background at the top and bottom after the resizing. I see where I can set up a layer but can't seem to get it to the background and make it black.

[KXM]

"Make sure Anchor is in the center

Click OK

If you need a black background, then at this point make a new layer, fill it with black, move it to the bottom, then flatten."

How do I anchor it in the center and get a black background and how do I flatten it? Obviously I'm missing something simple, but I just don't see it.

I can't thank you enough for your help!

Edit: Actually, I see how to flatten it now, but it didn't do anything and I still can't get the second layer to be solid black.

[david.atwell]

Put a layer underneath your artwork, choose that layer, and then select all (Hit Ctrl+A) and fill the selection (Hit Backspace). If you haven't changed your foreground color away from black, it will make the layer completely black.