the invention described here provides a novel method of preventing the loss of focus and range of colors when digital image files are expanded to a larger size . unlike interpolation algorithms and algorithms using fourier analysis to create new pixels , the present system uses a combination of pseudo - randomizing functions and user controlled edge detection to enhance edges initially softened by expansion using interpolation algorithms . the resulting images can be optimized to provide a superior approximation to what would be an accurate photographic representation at the larger image size . furthermore , the flexibility in edge detection sensitivity allows the operator to strongly mitigate the structural artifacts produced by lossy compression algorithms such as the jpeg system and sampling errors widespread in very small images . as a result files as small as 200 kilobytes can be effectively expanded to 250 or even 500 megabytes in many cases .