Inkscape

Sizing Images/signs to HO Scale 1:87

Asked by Gary Sorley

June 2016 Question #295661 answered by Hachmann. Suggested to create the signs I need in actual size. This would translate into feet, not inches, as these signs and images are to be used as Logo's for a Model RR, and also to be used on buildings, etc. Also, printed as decals for windows of businesses, i.e. Pharmacy; cafe; super market. So, some of these would be very large.

I guess I am just too much of a novice to compkete this task without specific instructions, which Hachmann did outline. I get lost when I create the Item in real size, then try to reduce it. 10 feet in HO scale is 1 3/8 inches. Trying to type in that space is very awkward. Perhaps someone could direct me to a tutorial or some specific instructions that will help.

I did the Swiss Flag, but the dimensions were given to us in the notes. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

I know this can be done, I just am not expert enough to figure it out!

Thanks!
Gary Sorley

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Revision history for this message
Hachmann (marenhachmann) said : 		#1

Hi Gary,

if you have an object drawn, no matter at what scale, this is what you need to do to get it to the correct scale for HO (1:87):

- switch to selection tool (topmost tool, the 'mouse cursor')
- click on the little lock icon in the tool controls bar (the bar right above the canvas) to lock width/height ratio
- select the unit for it (the one you would use for measuring the item in the real world)
- choose any of the two fields for width or height, and enter the value for the real-world width or height
- behind that value, type: /87 , then hit Enter

Now the object has 1/87th of the real-world width.

Kind Regards,
 Maren

Revision history for this message
Gary Sorley (kellieandgary) said : 		#2

​Hi Maren, sorry to bother you again, but as before I tried this method
with the /87 and it is so small, it will not even print. Here's what I
have tried today according to Hachmann and your instructions:

The sign I am trying to make would measure 4ft in height by 16ft wide.
Reduced to HO scale it would measure 2 3/16in wide X 7/16in high. The
lettering would be:
                                KJ CARTAGE COMPANY
                            LTL PICKUP & DELIVERY LCL​

I then locked the H/W ratio, used CTL A to select the object, selected ft
for the sizing, input 16/87 with the result that I can barely see the sign
on the screen. Also, I loose the object when trying to find the "page" to
place the object to be printed. Needless to say, I am frustrated, and
probably frustrating you with my lack of computer knowledge and with this
program.

Any further suggestions? l like to believe I should be able to accomplish
this, but it has become frustrating, and now a definite challenge. Please
bare with this 73 year old trying to learn some computer "Stuff". Thanks
for your help & patience.

Gary.

On Wed, Nov 9, 2016 at 12:42 PM, Hachmann <
<email address hidden>> wrote:

> Your question #403900 on Inkscape changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/inkscape/+question/403900
>
> Status: Open => Answered
>
> Hachmann proposed the following answer:
> Hi Gary,
>
> if you have an object drawn, no matter at what scale, this is what you
> need to do to get it to the correct scale for HO (1:87):
>
> - switch to selection tool (topmost tool, the 'mouse cursor')
> - click on the little lock icon in the tool controls bar (the bar right
> above the canvas) to lock width/height ratio
> - select the unit for it (the one you would use for measuring the item in
> the real world)
> - choose any of the two fields for width or height, and enter the value
> for the real-world width or height
> - behind that value, type: /87 , then hit Enter
>
> Now the object has 1/87th of the real-world width.
>
> Kind Regards,
> Maren
>
> --
> If this answers your question, please go to the following page to let us
> know that it is solved:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/inkscape/+question/403900/+
> confirm?answer_id=0
>
> If you still need help, you can reply to this email or go to the
> following page to enter your feedback:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/inkscape/+question/403900
>
> You received this question notification because you asked the question.
>

Revision history for this message
Best Hachmann (marenhachmann) said : 		#3

Hi Gary,

that non-decimal system is really confusing to *me*...

How many inch are in a foot? Google says it's 12. Okay...
4ft = 48 inch, in HO Scale: 48/87 = 0.5517 inch
16ft = 192 inch, in HO Scale: 192/87 = 2.26 inch
So far, so good.

So the resizing seems to work perfectly, which is good :)

It's only orientation that gets lost a bit, but that's easy to remedy:

So, to zoom to selection, hit 3 on the numpad.

To center the selection on the page, open align and distribute dialog (Object -> Align and Distribute), select 'Page' in the dropdown, then click on the two centering buttons in the top portion of the dialog. Be sure to either group the selection before you do this (Ctrl+G) or to use the little checkbox 'Treat selection as a group', else each element in your selection will get centered on the page, which you probably don't want.

To resize the page to selection, you can also go to Document -> Properties -> Resize page to content or selection.
Then the page will be about 0.5 x 2.2 inch, or just as big as your object (but maybe you want to stay it in Letter or whatever format it currently is, for easier printing/exporting to pdf).

For more zoom commands, see here: https://inkscape.org/en/doc/keys091.html#d0e727
For a description of the Align-and-Distribute dialog see here: http://tavmjong.free.fr/INKSCAPE/MANUAL/html/Align.html

Hope these help to reduce confusion,

Kind Regards,
 Maren

Revision history for this message
Gary Sorley (kellieandgary) said : 		#4

Thanks Hachmann, that solved my question.