Apache OpenOffice (AOO) Bugzilla – Issue 50030
Provide means for truly scaling an image (in particular, scale text size, borders, line thickness, line marker sizes and so on)
Last modified: 2013-02-07 22:34:19 UTC
Currently, it is nearly impossible to scale a whole image without corrupting its layout. This comes from the fact that OOdraw has its own understanding of "scaling". Only dimensions of objects are scaled, not their properties. This form of scaling is often useful during the initial layout of an image, but not much helpful when reusing an image or parts of it in another context, since this often requires the adjustment of its size by keeping its scale (the scale of everything). Since there is only one word, let me name this "true scaling". The effect of true scaling should be the same as applying a scaling coordinate system transformation to the original. The transformation should affect all properties of an image such as text size, text borders, line thickness and line marker sizes. There are at least two other issues, that request parts of true scaling: Issue 11910 "line thickness" Issue 15835 "text size" Issue 15835 was closed with the questionable argument, that all ancestors of OOoffice had the same funny understanding of scaling, and therefore it is correct and sufficient as is. But even if all vector graphics programs so far would have implemented only "partial scaling" (which is not the case), it would be a great feature, if OOoffice could provide "both forms" of scaling.
Reassigned.
*** Issue 50030 has been confirmed by votes. ***
I would like to add my voice to this feature request. My impression is that many people involved don't really understand the issue, or why this feature would be useful. Here is a use case which I encounter frequently in my own work and I'm sure many other people do as well: * Create diagrams, flow charts or other images using OpenOffice.org Draw * Import the resulting images in a Writer document * Adjust the scale in order to fit the images in the document correctly * Preferably, have the images either be linked to the originals, or have them be editable inside the Writer document The expectation in the third step is that the image will be scaled in its entirety (including text sizes, line widths, etc.), just like a bitmap would be, but keeping the advantages of vector graphics (smooth scaling). Otherwise, the images will be distorted, with text overflowing its boundaries and contents being obscured by lines which are too thick, etc. Currently there is no way to do this with OpenOffice.org. There are many different ways of getting a drawing from Draw into Writer and they all have problems: * Importing the drawing as an OLE object: incorrect scaling (and also unnecessary whitespace around the drawing) * Pasting the drawing as a GDI metafile: not linked to original drawing anymore, and not editable * Importing the drawing as a bitmap: pixelation, no smooth scaling, not linked to original and not editable
Given that OOo Draw is a drawing application, I agree that the lack of a true scaling operation is a real problem. I've designed a book cover in Draw, and there is no way to scale it to fit different print page sizes without also having to enter each text box in the group and change the font sizes individually. I suspect the reason Issue 15835 was submitted as a Defect rather than an Enhancement request is that the lack of a true scaling function is severe enough to be a defect. MS Word's drawing editor has the same defect, and I've always found it annoying when attempting to resize drawings. Scaling grouped objects containing text boxes should scale the text contained in those boxes as well. That fact that it doesn't smells like a bug to me.