Why has my work area view changed?

[lindalou]

Trying to design in Inkscape.

Can someone tell me why my work area has changed to a square and is smaller than the card I want to make 5x7.

I know it is probably something simple but it has me stumped. I can take the image into a new document and
then my work area is larger.

I'm posting a picture of my file along with the file.

Lindalou

[Angel135612]

I don't know WHY it may have changed but you can change your work area by going to FILE>Document Properties and in the pop up window, the first tab is Page... you can change the size of your document page there. I *think* it may have changed because you may have opened another file with a smaller document size, it some how it remembered that size. OR there is an option to "fit page to selection" that may have been checked.

[lindalou]

Thanks Angel.

I'm sure I probably ticked something wrong.

Sometimes I think my brain isn't big enough to hold all the different things I have to learn now.

That was driving me bonkers and I could have taken the easy route and just copied it into a new document - but I
know I have to learn!!!!!

[Angel135612]

Your Welcome Linda.. I learned about the Documents property box when I got tired of having my work area be some off the wall size. I think Dawn is the one that told me about it.. and said that I could even make a template for new documents to any size I want, so I wouldn't have to keep going in and changing it all the time. It may not take long to do, but it does get tiring to have to go change the size every time. So I have created templates for all the standard sizes I use to create projects with.. like 5.5" by 4.25" or 5 x 7 or 12 x 12 or what ever else I use a lot. Then I can just open a new one and pick from a list of templates, and import my design into the right sized work area.

[Gigi]

What a good idea Diane. I have made a few templates, but didnt think about the work size one - would be so much easier then redoing it all the time. Gee - should have thought of that a long time ago!!

I just recently found quite by accident, that if I enlarge inkscape and then hit the middle of the three magnifying glasses, that my work fills the screen and is so much easier to see. And Dawn just taught me how to enlarge one small area instead of having to enlarge the whole thing.

Have been learning something new every day and I love it!

[Angel135612]

LOL Gigi.. I know what you mean... it wasn't until Dawn told me how to save a template that I even thought about doing it. I was tired of Inkscape opening using px or cm or some other form of measurement, when I wanted to see it in inches. So by changing all that in the Document property box, you can save the template, and it will open with the measurement increments you want showing.

[Gigi]

Yeah - I am always changing the px to inches!!
I have a new template set up like that, but when you are opening someone else's design, it still comes in as they did it - right??

[Angel135612]

Instead of Opening.. try IMPORTING... and that should allow you to open your template, with the size workspace you want, and it will bring the image into that space, instead of opening a new window with the image and a different workspace.

[Gigi]

Well of course, I knew that!! I think I get in the habit of finding a file and just double clicking on it rather than open the template and import. But that would be so much better, thank you!

And Lindalou - meant to say that I agree with you. I want to know why things work and how they work. And I find that I remember them better if I can make some sense of it too!!

I can hear Dawn now....... practice...... practice....... practice.........!!

Meant as a total compliment - and it's so true! The more we all practice the easier it will be!

[lindalou]

Woo Hoo - My first card designed in Inkscape and Cut in signcut!!!!!!

I'm sooooooo excited. I couldn't wait till I put a saying on it just had to post it.

I will post my tons of questions tomorrow.

Lindalou

[Angel135612]

That is amazing!!! Congrats on your first cut!!!! Can't wait to see more of your creations.

Can you share the file, or at least where you got the file?? That is beautiful!!!

[Gigi]

What a beautiful first creation! Bravo!! I love the pattern and the detail in the design - great job!!

That is just fabulous! Cannot wait to see more!

[Thyme]

That is lovely! Congrats

[lindalou]

Thanks.

I definitely will post the file as soon as I make sure it is okay. It cut beautiful but for some reason in the middle of
the file, I couldn't get it to show me a preview in signcut. I'm posting a picture of what I get when I try to click
the preview button. If you note, in the top left corner - I don't know what the first image is but the maximize and
minimize and "x" appears and it won't do a preview.

Maybe there is something I've turned on on my computer because when I tried to take a "print screen" shot of the
file, and pressed the "fn" key all my "f keys appeared across the top of my screen".

Can anyone figure this out.

Lindalou

[Thyme]

Hi Linda,
I am baffled by this one, its not something I have seen before.
What happens if you press the maximise? Is it Signcut or another program that is there?

[lindalou]

It makes it larger - I've added a screenshot of what it looks like.

It always scares me when the pros get baffled.

It is signcut. This happens when I click the preview button in signcut and it won't give me a preview.

[Gigi]

Now I am confused - that looks like a preview to me and I see the animate buttons to see the cutting - is it missing part of the file??

[Suzan]

You have to click the play button on the bottom under the black buttons

[PennyDuncan]

What a beautiful creation!!!! You're going to LOVE Inkscape the more you use it!!!!!

[Thyme]

That is the preview, click on the animate button