Disable "BIG Image" Threshold
Disables the "BIG image" threshold introduced in WordPress 5.3.
The facts
- Rating
- 4.2★ from 35
- Active installs
- 10k+
- Price
- Free
- Last updated
- 2 Aug 2022
- Added
- Oct 2019
- Requires WP
- 5.2
- Tested up to
- WP 6.0.14
- Requires PHP
- 5.6
- Downloads
- 77,506
Our analysis
AI-assistedDisable 'BIG Image' Threshold is a WordPress plugin that allows you to disable the automatic generation of a new 'full' size image for uploads exceeding a certain size. This is particularly useful for sites that require the display of original images, such as photography websites or those using full-screen backgrounds.
By disabling this threshold, the plugin preserves the true originally uploaded image instead of replacing it with a resized version. This can help maintain image quality for specific use cases where the original file is necessary.
Best for: This plugin is suitable for photography sites or any site that requires the display of original images.
What it does well
- ✓Disables the 'BIG image' threshold in WordPress
- ✓Preserves the original uploaded image
- ✓Useful for photography sites and full-screen backgrounds
- ✓Free to use from the WordPress.org directory
- ✓Active installation count of 10,000
Where it falls short
- •May lead to performance issues with large images
- •Not suitable for sites prioritising bandwidth efficiency
Verdict
The plugin serves a specific need by allowing the use of original images, but it may not be ideal for all users due to potential performance implications.
From the developer
Jonathan Desrosiers's own description of Disable "BIG Image" Threshold, lightly tidied.
In WordPress 5.3, several improvements were made to how images are processed. One of these improvements was the concept of “BIG images”. When an image is uploaded that exceeds the “BIG image” threshold (2560 by default), a new “full” size image is generated. This new image is then used instead of the true original when generating image subsizes to reduce server load.
Prior to 5.3, it was possible for the originally uploaded image to be displayed on the front-end, even when they were not “web ready”. Unnecessarily large images can be bad for performance and wastes bandwidth (which is unfortunate for those with slow Internet, or bandwidth caps by their service plans). This new full size image will now be displayed instead.
There are some scenarios where disabling this threshold would be desired, though. Maybe you run a photography site that
needs to display original images, or your theme has full screen backgrounds.
This plugin disables the “BIG” image threshold and preserves the true originally uploaded image as the full size.
For more information on the improvements to image processing in WordPress 5.3, check out these developer notes on the Making WordPress Core blog.