Photoshop resolution on Macbook Pro 15" Retina display too small

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Photoshop resolution on Macbook Pro 15" Retina display too small

I've just bought a Macbook Pro 15" and I'm trying to use Photoshop, but the resolution its displaying the images at for 100% are too small. I have to design for the web, so need to be intricate with detail, but I'm finding it adjusts the resolution of the image right down. (I mean you can see the image clearly, but it's too small to edit). When I look at Safari and see a web page at 100% it's clear, but the same page displayed in Photoshop CC appears 50% of the size (even though it says it's 100%)

If I move the application window to another screen it adjusts it correctly – leaving all the pallettes, menus and tools correctly sized as they are on the retina display

Is there some way to adjust the way Photoshop CC displays images so it is more consistent with what you actually see?

There doesn't seem to be any answer on the Adobe forum, so hopefully someone here can shed some light.

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4), Photoshop CC

Posted on Aug 15, 2013 5:23 AM

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Answer 1

babowa

Level 9

78,429 points

Aug 15, 2013 6:37 AM in response to quaetapo

I don't use Photoshop so i don't know if they include an adjustment; however, are you able to zoom in for instance? That way you could zoom in to see the details you need. I have an app (Graphic Converter) which gives me the option to see the pic at any one of many possibilities (for instance 50%, 150, 175, 200%, etc, etc). The only other way I can think of is to adjust the resolution system wide by going to System Preferences > Displays and taking it down a notch.

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Answer 2

quaetapo Author

Level 1

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Aug 15, 2013 6:47 AM in response to babowa

Yes you can zoom in and see it at different percentages, the only problem is that because you're dealing with low resolution in the first place (usually 72dpi) when you zoom in, it becomes pixelated. So you need to see it at the resolution that people see it, such as in the browser. I've been working with it and can do the edits zoomed in, but this still doesn't allow me to see it at its final, real, display resolution as I see it in the browser.

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Answer 3

babowa

Level 9

78,429 points

Aug 15, 2013 7:56 AM in response to quaetapo

Ahh, can you change the resolution from 72dpi to, say, 180? The apps I use to tweak pics import at the resolution the photos were shot at and mine are always higher than 72 dpi. Doing that will make the entire image smaller but showing at a higher quality. Maybe there is a setting in their Preferences where you can specify the minimum dpi?

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Answer 4

quaetapo Author

Level 1

10 points

Aug 15, 2013 6:44 PM in response to babowa

The original image was 300dpi, but the web page I'm designing is in 72. I upped it as you suggested, but the pixel size still remains the same and therefore no change in appearance on the screen.

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Answer 5

Aug 15, 2013 7:24 PM in response to quaetapo

quaetapo wrote:

I've just bought a Macbook Pro 15" and I'm trying to use Photoshop, but the resolution its displaying the images at for 100% are too small...

...Is there some way to adjust the way Photoshop CC displays images so it is more consistent with what you actually see?...

Looking at my installation of PS 6 on a rMBP, if you right click on the PS 6 icon in the Applications folder and Get Info, you'll see a check box right under the label colors saying "Open in Low Resolution." Try checking that.

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Answer 6

quaetapo Author

Level 1

10 points

Aug 15, 2013 7:31 PM in response to FatMac-MacPro

Well that certainly helps in terms of making the image larger – only problem is with the low resolution there's a loss of clarity and pixelisation of the image; so not the same level of quality.

But thank you, I do believe that will help me get on with things much more easily; appreciate the help.

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Answer 7

Aug 15, 2013 7:42 PM in response to quaetapo

quaetapo wrote:

Well that certainly helps in terms of making the image larger – only problem is with the low resolution there's a loss of clarity and pixelisation of the image; so not the same level of quality...

In System Preferences/Display, what resolution do you have your screen set to? Try changing that also to see if the two settings can work together. Also, since the vast majority of users (Mac or PC) don't have Retina Displays, isn't what you're seeing with Low Resolution checked in Photoshop closer to what most people will see? Remember that Apple's software, such as Safari, have been upgraded to take full advantage of the rMBP display; most other browsers, especially in Windows, haven't.

And if you want to tinker with the rMBP's resolution even further, check out "Eye-Friendly" in the App Store.

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Answer 8

quaetapo Author

Level 1

10 points

Aug 15, 2013 7:44 PM in response to FatMac-MacPro

Yes, it's set to "Best for Retina Display" at the moment – which I might add is so fantastic that it's difficult to look at my second (poorer quality) monitor!

But that's all good advice and thank you for taking the time to assist. Like anything, it's getting used to these new systems that takes some adjusting to and your input has just made it that little bit easier.

Cheers. 🙂

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Answer 9

Mar 28, 2014 9:02 AM in response to quaetapo

I found this soulution, I did not tried it yet:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5239995?answerId=22735031022#22735031022

Maybe this will help.

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Answer 10

Mar 28, 2014 9:24 AM in response to Excentriekegast

Oopsss... wrong thread! Sorry. I would like to delete the post, I can't find the delete button.

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Answer 11

Sep 10, 2014 4:17 PM in response to quaetapo

Found this, hope this helps:

http://surfaceproartist.com/blog/2013/12/11/hack-makes-photoshop-and-illustrator -readable-on-surface-pro

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Answer 12

Sep 10, 2014 7:04 PM in response to lasersedge

lasersedge wrote:

Found this, hope this helps:

http://surfaceproartist.com/blog/2013/12/11/hack-makes-photoshop-and-illustrator -readable-on-surface-pro

That's an interesting approach for a user with a Microsoft Surface Pro running Windows rather than a Retina MacBook Pro. Reading through it, it looks like the hack may do something similar to what the "Open in Low Resolution" check box in Photoshop's Get Info window does but with more finesse.

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Answer 13

Bilhaqqy

Level 1

0 points

Mar 10, 2016 9:22 AM in response to quaetapo

Hi, its also happened to me.

The Icon of tools and other have the low resolution.

I've tried this way but i can't press/click the ''Open in low Resolution'' button, that already checked.

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