Inkscape 0.48 on Linux Ubuntu 8.0.4 Hardy.

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SOLVED PARTIALLY: I was not searching for the correct terminology. I have just found
http://wiki.inkscape.org/wiki/index.php/FAQ#Why_do_images_.27grow.27_when_imported_into_Inkscape.3F

However, I still think a "lock" should be available in the Image Properties dialog box.
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Sorry, I am new to Inkscape and this is eluding me.

I am importing TIFF (bitmap) images to be used in a Inkscape page.

I understand that if I hold the CTRL key while dragging corner of an imported image, the proportions will be constrained/maintained. Great!

But, for precision, I really need to enter the size *numerically*. To do this, I select the image object and right click (or off the menu) and select Image Properties. There I can enter the X and Y sizes. But, that requires me to calculate BOTH sizes and still it can get a little out of proportion. I have not been able to figure out how to enter ONE of X _or_ Y and have the other forced to be in proportion.

Am I missing something? It seems like there should be a "constrain proportions" checkbox in that dialog box.

Is this something I should post to the bugzilla as a feature request? Or is it already a known request?

Jay

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I am a refugee from ancient Visio, looking for a non-Windows open-source program that I can use for making stamp album pages (pretty much look like organizational charts, but without connector lines; they have text or picutres in boxes).

I have tried Dia but ran into too many problems (yet to be implemented features). I could not find all needed features in Kivio. So, I am following up on a recommendation that Inkscape can do what I want, but just not as automatically.

I understand that Inkscape is not a diagramming program, but I hope someday that "complex" objects can be created, like the kinds of objects one drags onto a page in Visio, Dia, or Kivio. By "complex" I mean things such as a text box that has (editable) pre-defined (font, size, etc.) text inside it, all as a single unit.

See sample here:
http://jsa.viewimage.net/images/web/Albums/Stender/page-sweden-256.gif

Welcome Jay!

You can select the image with the Selector tool. Then look on the tool control bar for the W and H values. In between them is a tiny open padlock icon. When you click that icon, 2 things happen: 1 - it turns into a closed padlock, and 2 - it constrains any changes you make to one dimension, in the same proportions for the other dimension.

There's some kind of glitch, that I don't completely understand, if you click the padlock icon before entering any new values. But if you will enter one of the values, then click the icon, then click inside the field for the other value, it's automatically resized with the precise proportion (you don't need to enter any value for the 2nd -- it's done automatically when you click inside the box). If you did click the padlock icon first, the values (and therefore proportion) is only altered by tenths of the units or less, which seems negligable. But for me, I like precision

Thanks Brynn.

I had edited my post to reflect that I had discovered that "lock". But I did not know about the other aspect you mention and I will test it both ways.

I still think there should be a "lock" in the Image Properties dialog box. After all, it is supposed to handle the same function, but it is missing the lock.

You're welcome.
And I forgot to say, Inkscape's bug tracker is Launchpad (https://launchpad.net/inkscape). You are more than welcome to submit a bug/wish list report about this. (Anyone can.) It does not seem like it would be very difficult or take much time.

Before you post a new report, you will be prompted to search existing reports