Operation of scale function in document properties

[jim cubie]

I create drawings in inkscape and then import them into a cutting machine called Cricut. Cricut recommends svg files.  I noticed that when I imported the document below called "first try" that when it showed up on the cricut design space the drawing was over 250 inches wide.  The drawing on Inkspace fit on an 8.5/11 page.   When I was doing the Swedish flag tutorial I noticed that he changed the scale to 1 in document properties.  The drawing "first try" was created with a 25.4 scale.  I don't know why the document was set up that way. (Is that a default?) So I went in and changed the scale from 25.4 to 1.  That result is  the drawing "first try scale 1."  On the screen this drawing shows up as 288 or more inches wide  -- about how cricut is reading the drawing.  What should I do?  Can I rescale one of the documents so that on a scale of 1 they fit on a 8.5/11 sheet?

[brynn]

Yes, absolutely.

I don't fully understand that Scale Factor.  But I would keep it set on 1.  You'll notice when you change the Display Units (the option at the very top of that page) the scale factor will change.  As far as I understand, keeping the Scale Factor set to 1 will keep your drawing as close to the units you set, as possible.  (Not precisely the same as the units you set, because your computer screen resolution changes it slightly.  But as close as possible considering your screen resolution.  At least that's how I understand it.)

So if you made your drawing with a Scale Factor different from 1, I would set it on 1, and then re-size your drawing.  It sounds like you already know how to do that.  But if not, I can explain.

[jim cubie]

So is there anyway to change the scale or something of "first try" so that I can get it into 1 scale with out redrawing it all?

[brynn]

Oh I'm sorry!  It sounded like your skills were growing fast and I thought you probably already knew how.

Using the Selection tool, do Ctrl A (which is select all) (or you could do it from Edit menu > Select All) (or drag a huge selection box around everything).  If you want to just kind of "eyeball it", hold the Ctrl key while you drag one of the arrows.  (Ctrl makes sure it stays in proportion.)

If you want to set a specific size, use Object menu > Transform > Scale.  You don't need to hold the Ctrl key for this, but there's a checkbox in the dialog to keep the proportions.