Hi. I'm using the Linux version of Inkscape but i'm having problems resizing lines. I'm changing the values of the horizontal and vertical measurements in the panel at the top but as i change one the other value also changes. I have checked that the values aren't locked to scale with each other so i can't think what i'm doing wrong. Any ideas what i'm doing wrong?

Welcome to the forum!

Ok, when you say "lines"....the width and length of paths can't be set from the tool control bar (across the top of the canvas). So I'm thinking you may be trying to set the dimensions of something, i.e. width and height.

If the object has a stroke, and the stroke is set to change when the object is scaled, that could cause this behavior. With the Selection tool activated, look at the tool control bar. On the right, there are 4 similar looking buttons. The first one, "When scaling objects, scale the stroke width by the same proportion" should be deselected. (The tool tip with that title will pop up after mousing over for a second or 2.) This will keep a stroke width of 1 px, always 1 px, no matter what dimensions you give to the object. IF the stroke width changing proportional to the dimension, is the problem, this will solve it. Or if you don't really need a stroke, you could just remove it.

Before I describe a lot of other what-ifs, let us know if this solves the problem, or if it's something else.

Thanks for the welcome and thanks for the help!!!! I've deselected that icon and the measurements are no longer affected by each other. But now when i change the height it stays the same and alters the position on the y axis instead.

Hhhhmm, I'm not sure what's happening here.
I need to be clear. You're changing the value in the "H" field? And instead the value in the "Y" field changes? If that's not it, how are you changing the height?

Ye that's exactly right. When i change H, Y goes up instead. Maybe it's a bug or something?

Wow, that's nothing I've ever heard of. I use those features all the time, and haven't experienced this problem. Nor have I seen any messages about it. But if you could upload your file, we could have a look, and try to figure out the problem.

(To upload, use Post Reply (not Quick Reply). Look below Save, Preview and Submit buttons, click on Upload attachments, then follow prompts.)

You can't change the height of a path (line) as it's controlled by the stroke width. Stroke width is what you want to change if you want a thicker or thinner path.

Ah ye. That seems to be the problem. I've now made the shape as a rectangle and all is good. Cheers!!!

FYI the bottom left of the inkscape window has a style indicator, there is a number next to the stroke swatch indicating the stroke width, right-clicking on it lets you choose from a selection of stroke widths without opening the F/S dialog.

Cool. Could be useful too. I'm still getting the grasp of it. I'm using it to make icons.