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printing entire image in 4x6

I can't seem to print an entire image in a 4x6 print -- as soon as I select anything smaller than 8x10, it crops my image automatically and won't let me zoom out or move the frame using any of the built-in print options. It's like iPhoto just won't scale down the image that far. Any ideas?

iPhoto '11

Posted on Aug 24, 2012 11:05 AM

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Aug 24, 2012 1:17 PM in response to Keith Barkley

Yeah, I'm there. It seems like as long as I have 4x6 selected as my paper size, iPhoto forgets about everything for at least an inch or so on all sides of the photo. Even changing the print size doesn't seem to change the size of the image at all, it just prints a smaller or larger section of the very center of the image. And when I go to the "customize" window, it won't let me zoom out or move the image -- it's like those pixels have ceased to exist as far as iPhoto is concerned.

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Aug 25, 2012 8:59 AM in response to Yer_Man

Yeah, those ratios are just about equal. But again, that's not the problem I'm having.


It doesn't seem to matter what I type in for print size, because it's not just changing the aspect ratio for the entire image; it's only taking a tiny chunk of the very center of the image and leaving out probably close to a thousand pixels on all four sides.


Look at the screen shots I posted above: even if 5.33x4 is not the precisely correct ratio, the entire width of the photo should be visible. But instead it's only the very center, and about 1/3 of the photo on either side is missing.

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Aug 24, 2012 2:56 PM in response to RevBruise

If you want to print the entire photo onto a 4 x 6 stock you must select a custom size that is less than 4x6 but has the same size ratio or your original image.


For instance if your photo is 1600 x 1200 that has a ratio of 4:3 or 1.333. A 4x6 image has a ration of 1.5.


Therefore select a custom image of that's less than 4x6 that has a size ratio of 1.333. That will fit the entire photo on the stock you've chosen but will leave some white space around the photo.


Here's a photo that has a size ratio of 1.337. Printed standard as a borderless 4x6 you'll get this:

User uploaded file


But if you select a custom size of 5.35 x 4 which is a size ratio of 1.337 you'll get this:

User uploaded file


So it can be done but just required a bit of math.


OT

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Aug 24, 2012 9:13 PM in response to Old Toad

Mine is 4307 x 3230, which is a 1.333 ratio. But it's not that I'm worried about those few pixels, I'm losing hundreds of pixels on all sides no matter what I type in for the image size. Here's a better screen shot of what happens when I do 5.33 x 4 as a custom size:

User uploaded file


again, compare that to my original image:


User uploaded file

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Aug 24, 2012 3:24 PM in response to Old Toad

Thanks -- I wish this were the issue, but it's not. When I select 5.35x4, it gives me a little section of the center of the image, at the right aspect ratio. iPhoto zooms it in automatically and won't let me zoom out while I have 4x6 paper selected.


I've also tried exporting the file to different size jpgs, but then for whatever reason Preview doesn't give me options for paper other than letter size.


It's like I have some setting checked deep in the bowels of iPhoto that it will only print at a certain range of dpi. Or something?

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Aug 25, 2012 11:59 AM in response to RevBruise

Try this: launch iPhoto with the Option key held down and create a new, test library. Import some photos and check to see if the same problem persists. If it does than try this: make a temporary, backup copy (if you don't already have a backup copy) of the library and try the following:


1 - delete the iPhoto preference file, com.apple.iPhoto.plist, that resides in your

User/Home(User uploaded file)/Library/ Preferences folder.


2 - delete iPhoto's cache file, Cache.db, that is located in your

User/Home(User uploaded file)/Library/Caches/com.apple.iPhoto folder.


User uploaded file

Click to view full size


3 - launch iPhoto and try again.


NOTE: If you're moved your library from its default location in your Home/Pictures folder you will have to point iPhoto to its new location when you next open iPhoto by holding down the Option key when launching iPhoto. You'll also have to reset the iPhoto's various preferences.


If the problem doesn't persist in the new library then try this fix:

make a temporary, backup copy (select the library and type Command+D) and apply the two fixes below in order as needed:


Fix #1


Launch iPhoto with the Command+Option keys held down and rebuild the library.


User uploaded file


Since only one option can be run at a time start with Option #1, followed by #3 and then #4 as necessary.


Fix #2


Using iPhoto Library Manager to Rebuild Your iPhoto Library


  • Download iPhoto Library Manager and launch.
  • Click on the Add Library button, navigate to your Home/Pictures folder and select your iPhoto Library folder.
  • Now that the library is listed in the left hand pane of iPLM, click on your library and go to the File ➙ Rebuild Library menu option
  • In the next window name the new library and select the location you want it to be placed.
  • Click on the Create button.

  • Note: This creates a new library based on the LIbraryData.xml file in the library and will recover Events, Albums, keywords, titles and comments but not books, calendars or slideshows. The original library will be left untouched for further attempts at fixing the problem or in case the rebuilt library is not satisfactory.

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    printing entire image in 4x6

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