Is there a way to set dimensions for the size of the image to be exported.

Because my question may be poorly worded, here is some background information to help clarify:

I have a plasma cutter. A plasma cutter works like a printer but instead of putting ink on paper it cuts the image out of metal. I have a hand drawing that needs to have the dimension of the drawing to work properly. The drawing is of a human foot. It is not a detailed human foot, it is more of a silhouette. Still, the foot needs to be 10.5 inches long from the back of the heel to the end of the big toe. The dimension of the width of the foot are proportional, but not specified. There is a 1.5" by 0.5" leg that will attach the foot to whatever it is intended to be attached to. (I don't know what they go on, I wasn't told but I assume they will be welded onto a steel fence.) I have uploaded the image of the foot, it could be useful for clarification.

Is there anyway to make Inkscape export this in the correct size? The plasmacam will accept bitmaps (also other image formats) and if I can get Inkscape to export them in the proper size it would be very advantageous to me.

Thank you for considering my problem.

Hi.

Is there a reason why you want it to be as an exported raster image, and not keeping the vectors?
The vector fits better with this kind of graphic, and, fits better with any cnc machine.

If you want to go raster -first question is, what dpi the machine is working in?
Then, export at that resolution from the export raster image panel -if the original image has the right measures-, and use that image for printing.
Hopefully it will work.

Hopefully, as the resulting png has not a set dpi value as far as I know.
There are some programs that can save a dpi value too for some raster file formats, but not all hardwares recognise them.
Guessing you just have to set the actual size/resolution -dpi- of the image on the cutter's setup.

Hi.

Looking (briefly) at the PlasmaCam instructions the program can import a "multitude" of formats. The seemingly easiest is the bitmap format, I reckon that's what you import?
The DPI (Dots Per Inch) can be specified in Inkscape when exporting.

I would have done the export this way;


First draw a rectangle, any size will do.
With the rectangle still selected, input the size - I used 0.5 x 10.5 In (Make sure to specify In in the Dialog)
Like this;

Click Image for larger version.

Enable snap settings - snap to guides - see my settings in the image above.
Then drag two guides from the horizontal rule to snap to the rectangles top and bottom.

Click on the foot image and resize until it snaps to the guides - to maintain proportions hold the CTRL key down while doing this.
Like this;

Click Image for larger version.

With the foot still selected - go to the export menu and export as a PNG set to 300 DPI - export the Selection only.
Like this;

Click Image for larger version.

My image exported with a dimension of ; 1471 x 3150 Pixels, 3150 divided by 300 = 10.5 (Inch). Yippie!
Import the image into PlasmaCam and specify the resolution as 300 DPI.
To test; attach a "floating pen holder" to your CNC-Plasma table and "print" the outline on
paper to check the dimensions before "committing" to expensive metal and gas!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFF1KA1lxLE
Good Luck! Please post a image of the "final product" - I love laser - plasma and cnc machines!

Have a look at this! ;http://www.flamingsteel.com/running-a-cnc-plasma-cutter-in-your-living-room.php

RGDS
Ragnar