Document Scale Methods

Canvas X Draw features scaling options that will certainly be useful to those who work with large documents, such as shape files. When selecting certain options, the Scale Options dialog box opens. When selecting the Set Document Scale command, the Define Document Scale dialog box opens.

To View These Scaling Methods:

Choose Layout | Document Scale.

Scale Options

The Document Scale dialog box appears when you choose Crop And Fit to Sheet, Fit All Objects to Sheet, or Fit Selection to Sheet. If you do not wish to scale a certain object, select its respective checkbox.

You also have the option of applying this command to objects on hidden layers.

If you leave a checkbox deselected, the corresponding objects are scaled once you click OK.

What is a Point Object?

A point object represents a geometric shape that consists of a single point. You can select vector objects in your document and switch their status to point object.

If you were creating a floor plan and had created small vector objects that represent items such as tables, chairs, lamps, etc., you would probably not want them to change size if you decide to change the scale. Therefore, you could select them and assign them the point object status.

To Switch to Point Object Status:

  1. Select all objects to be changed.
  2. Choose Object | Treat as Point Object to assign the point object status. When you select an object that has point object status, Point Object is indicated in the Status bar.

To Remove the Point Object Status:

  1. Select all point objects to be changed.
  2. Choose Object | Treat as Regular Object. The object returns to its previous status, i.e. vector object.

Crop and Fit to Sheet

When applied, a hard crop is performed and the resulting objects is scaled proportionally. This command can be used on both image and vector objects.

To Crop and Fit to Sheet:

Drag the crosshair diagonally across the objects to form a cropping rectangle. Place the cursor within the cropping rectangle and click to complete the crop.

You can move or resize the cropping rectangle, if necessary.

Fit All Objects to Sheet

When applied all objects within the document will be scaled proportionally. The objects are contained within the bounds of the top and bottom of the document.

If the document contains 5000+ objects, a warning dialog box appears. All previous operations, including Fit All Objects To Sheet, cannot be undone.

Fit Selection to Sheet

When applied, the selected objects will be scaled proportionally. The objects are contained within the bounds of the top and bottom of the document.

Set Document Scale

You can use this command to customize a document’s drawing scale, which is useful if you are working with objects that have known measurements.

To Use the Set Document Scale Command:

  1. Choose Layout | Document Scale | Set Document Scale. The Define Document Scale dialog box opens. The cursor changes to a crosshair.
  2. Click the crosshair once to establish the scaling start point.
  3. Click a final time to set the scaling end point. The resulting distance is indicated in the Page distance field. The Define Document Scale dialog box opens. The first value is the distance that you measured. The unit of measurement corresponds to the ruler’s unit of measurement.
  4. Enter the custom scale in the bottom field and select the unit of measurement from the menu.
  5. Click OK.

Scale Bar

The Scale Bar command draws a labeled scale bar. Scale bars are included in a variety of illustrations and images.

The labels on the scale bar are created using the default text settings. Although you can change the text appearance afterwards, you should establish the text settings before making the scale bar.

To Open the Create Scale Bar Dialog Box:

Choose Object | Options | Create Scale Bar.

Create Scale Bar Dialog Box

The current document scale is indicated at the top of the dialog box.

Units

Select a primary unit from the menu. The primary unit is displayed above the scale bar.

Secondary Units

If necessary, select a secondary unit. The secondary unit is displayed below the scale bar.

Major Division Length

Enter the desired length for the scale bar.

Major Division Count

Enter the number of major divisions for the primary unit.

Minor Division Count

Select the checkbox and enter the number of secondary divisions for the primary unit.

Style

Select a option for the scale bar’s appearance.

Font

Select a font for the scale bar. Select Title to indicate the current document scale above the scale bar. If Title is enabled, you can control the point size. Use the Text control to change the point size for the scale bar labels.