Definition

• Genuine Fractals is a software package that operates as a plug-in for Adobe Photoshop. It is offered by onOne Software and operates as an Adobe Photoshop plug-in. Standard and professional versions are available.
  
  "Bicubic" refers to "bicubic interpolation," a standard, built-in feature of many image manipulation software programs. For the sake of comparison, all references to "bicubic interpolation" here will be to that used by Adobe Photoshop.
  
  

Speed

• Given the number of mathematical permutations involved in transforming pixels into recursive algorithms, Genuine Fractals requires more time and computer processing power than bicubic interpolation. Also, for the first-time user, Genuine Fractals will take more time to learn how to use.
  
  

Ease of Use

• Bicubic interpolation can be achieved quite simply with a few mouse clicks. Genuine Fractals is more complicated, requiring the creation of separate files and manipulation of image settings. However, Photoshop offers extensive help files on the use of bicubic interpolation (plus additional tools for touching up images enlarged through bicubic interpolation). Genuine Fractals comes with searchable HTML help menus and video tutorials to guide new users through the process. Which method is easier to use will largely depend on your learning curve, but both are fairly easy.
  
  

Cost

• Genuine Fractals is a plug-in. Free versions are available for download, but the most current versions must be purchased. Bicubic interpolation is a built-in feature of Photoshop and thus requires no further purchase.
  
  

Enlarged Image Quality

• For images enlarged by only a few percent and for non-professional users, Genuine Fractals and bicubic interpolation differ little in resultant image quality, clarity and sharpness.
  
  According to T. Michael Testi, a software developer writing for the Sci/Tech section of the Blog Critics website, Genuine Fractals allows users to enlarge images more than 1,000 percent with zero loss in quality.
  
  David Halpern, writing for the Digital Imaging Software Review website, explains that Genuine Fractals stores images as mathematically encoded algorithms, eliminating the relationship between pixels and resolution. When you re-open the image, it can be re-scaled and the algorithm will generate new pixels while maintaining sharpness. It also lets you save time by allowing you to work in medium-sized original files for high-resolution output. Bicubic interpolation, on the other hand, examines neighboring pixels and then decides what the new, in-between pixels should be by splitting the difference, resulting in a gradual transition from one color to the next and a loss of definition.
  
  

Genuine Fractals' Additional Features

• Genuine Fractals offers a "gallery wrap" function that enables the easier creation of gallery wrap enlargements. Another useful function is tiling, which allows the printing of large-sized images from small-sized printers by dividing the images into separate sections. A batch processing function allows you to resize an entire folder of images to a uniform size.