The script that re-sizes/crops images for Couch is called TimThumb and it uses PHP's GD Library. Unfortunately, often when pictures contain rich color and/or fine detail, GD will fail to preserve these characteristics in re-sized images. An alternative to GD is the ImageMagick Engine. If we replace GD with ImageMagick, there is potential for a substantial increase in the quality of re-sized images. One obstacle to using ImageMagick however is a lack of support from hosting providers. Some hosts do not have ImageMagick installed or alternatively only have very old versions of the software available.
Comparison
Download the images and switch between them to more easily spot the differences (focus on one balloon at a time). Photograph by Nicolas Raymond.
File Size
Please be aware that with higher quality images, file size will increase as well. Sometimes the difference in file size between GD and ImageMagick re-sized images can be substantial, even when the visual improvement is negligible. It is therefore recommended that you lower the quality value for your image/thumbnail editable regions to keep this growth in check.
Requirements
Your host needs to have a recent version of ImageMagick installed and allow the use of PHP's 'exec' function. Contact your host if you are uncertain you are able to meet these requirements. I can confirm that this script works fully with ImageMagick 6.4.8 and later. Version 6.2.8 does not support thumbnail crop positions. I haven't tested any versions in-between... Please be aware that there is a difference between ImageMagick and Imagick. This script does not provide support for the Imagick PHP library.
Install
1. Extract the zip file contents. Navigate to line 35 of 'timthumb-im.php' and replace 'convert' with the location of your host's ImageMagick convert program. This could be '/usr/bin/convert', '/usr/local/bin/convert', or something else... Again, contact your host if you are not sure.
2. Navigate to 'couch/includes/timthumb.php' and rename the file to 'timthumb-gd.php'.
3. Rename 'timthumb-im.php' to 'timthumb.php' and place it in the 'couch/includes/' folder.
4. Test that the new script is not generating any errors and is correctly saving images.
Also hosted on GitHub at https://github.com/cheesypoof/CouchCMS-ImageMagick-Resizer.
Let me know if you have any questions. Also, please keep your expectations realistic.
http://www.imagemagick.org/
http://www.binarymoon.co.uk/projects/timthumb/
Comparison
Download the images and switch between them to more easily spot the differences (focus on one balloon at a time). Photograph by Nicolas Raymond.
File Size
Please be aware that with higher quality images, file size will increase as well. Sometimes the difference in file size between GD and ImageMagick re-sized images can be substantial, even when the visual improvement is negligible. It is therefore recommended that you lower the quality value for your image/thumbnail editable regions to keep this growth in check.
Requirements
Your host needs to have a recent version of ImageMagick installed and allow the use of PHP's 'exec' function. Contact your host if you are uncertain you are able to meet these requirements. I can confirm that this script works fully with ImageMagick 6.4.8 and later. Version 6.2.8 does not support thumbnail crop positions. I haven't tested any versions in-between... Please be aware that there is a difference between ImageMagick and Imagick. This script does not provide support for the Imagick PHP library.
Install
1. Extract the zip file contents. Navigate to line 35 of 'timthumb-im.php' and replace 'convert' with the location of your host's ImageMagick convert program. This could be '/usr/bin/convert', '/usr/local/bin/convert', or something else... Again, contact your host if you are not sure.
2. Navigate to 'couch/includes/timthumb.php' and rename the file to 'timthumb-gd.php'.
3. Rename 'timthumb-im.php' to 'timthumb.php' and place it in the 'couch/includes/' folder.
4. Test that the new script is not generating any errors and is correctly saving images.
Also hosted on GitHub at https://github.com/cheesypoof/CouchCMS-ImageMagick-Resizer.
Let me know if you have any questions. Also, please keep your expectations realistic.
http://www.imagemagick.org/
http://www.binarymoon.co.uk/projects/timthumb/