Would anyone know if 3dsmax has the option of setting the dpi resolution to a higher value when rendering?

Example: If you render a scene, regardless of the resolution you choose, and open it up in Photoshop the dpi resolution of the rendered image is always 72 (dpi). You can determine what dpi setting is by looking at the "Image Size" properties.

What I'm trying to figure out is that instead of increasing the dpi resolution in Photoshop, would 3dsmax have any options in doing this from the beginning? I'm planning to print an ultra high resolution image but I wish to do so with something better than a 72 dpi resolution. I'm looking at outputing a rendering from 3dsmax at 300 dpi if it is at all possible. Anyone know if this can be done within 3dsmax 4?

as far as know, no, the only thing you can do is to render it really really big, and then resample it in photoshop.

The only time you are concerned with DPI is when printing. We only measure in inches on the other side of the screen. Screen res. is always in pixels. Notice how you can't set your monitor to DPI. You set it to display a certain number of pixels 1024x768, 1280x960, etc. Your screen is kind of like a printer that only prints 72 dpi.

For print the number of pixels (x,y) is what you are concered with. On screen using a PC you are seeing approx. 72 dots per inch. On a Mac it's something like 90+ dpi I believe. On printed paper you can see whatever resolution is afforded by your printing device.

Example: Render an image at 900x900 pixels.

Open image in photoshop. Look at Image Properties.
Uncheck - Resample, Check - Constrain Proportions

Warning: Using resample either throws data away or adds data. Usually only resample down when you need to make images smaller. If you need more data (more pixels) you should re-render at the higher res.


Change DPI:
at 150 DPI this image is only going to print 6"x6"
at 300 DPI it'll be 3"x3"

On screen it looks 12.5"x12.5" since you screen displays approx. 72 DPI.

So if you wanted to print a large 24"x36" poster at 100 dpi. Multiply each side by 100 and you would need to render your image at 2400x3600. Typicaly for print you usually are in the range of 150-300 dpi, but there are many factors so you should check with your printer and see what he recommends.

Oh and one more thing. A 720 DPI ink jet printer doesn't print 720 pixels per inch. It believe is closer to half that or less, but that is another story.

That's the quick explanation. Hope this helps.

-jscott