I'm using inkscape to design front panels for electronic modules. Lots of items need accurate aligment about a point not in the centre of the object. I have discovered how to change the centre of rotation, but not an easy way for alignment.
My solution is to add a bounding square with its centre at the mounting centre of the component i.e in the axis of a potentiometer spindle. Then setting transparency to 0%. I can then use align to get all the spindle centres in a line.
Is there a better way? Its really difficult to select the bounding box afterward as Alt-select tool doesn't want to find it?
Please see file with a circle in a visble box plus two potentiometer outlines with bounding boxes 0% transparency, all aligned to page centre.
Hi not sure of end result desired but did you offset the y axis cross in the double circle on purpose? Snap seems to work but not sure of what output is desired.
Hi, I think thats just an inaccuracy on my part I'm still refining my set of component outlines, In essence that cross should be able to be aligned with other objects so that it is easy to line up a row of them on the basis of the holes required in the panel they are mounted. The rest of the drawing is so I can assess the space occupied by the connectors etc as I plan the layout of the front panel and the printed circuit board, Thanks
Hi Tyler, That's really useful, I can now see and select what isn't visible, also it has made me do a bit more exploring of snaps. My own invisible box is centred on the spindle axes and encloses the whole component so the Inkscape bounding box centre is co-incident and symetrical with the pot spindles, snaping to the box centre is just what I need. For interest, below is what the final printing for the face plate might look like on the left and the layout of components behind is shown on the right. Now I have to synchronise the PCB and the faceplate SVG so the drill holes will ultimately line up.
Beginners' Questions Aligning assymetrical object/groups
Inkscape.org
Hi, first post so please excuse any gaffs!
I'm using inkscape to design front panels for electronic modules. Lots of items need accurate aligment about a point not in the centre of the object. I have discovered how to change the centre of rotation, but not an easy way for alignment.
My solution is to add a bounding square with its centre at the mounting centre of the component i.e in the axis of a potentiometer spindle. Then setting transparency to 0%. I can then use align to get all the spindle centres in a line.
Is there a better way? Its really difficult to select the bounding box afterward as Alt-select tool doesn't want to find it?
Please see file with a circle in a visble box plus two potentiometer outlines with bounding boxes 0% transparency, all aligned to page centre.
Thanks for any suggestions
Hi not sure of end result desired but did you offset the y axis cross in the double circle on purpose? Snap seems to work but not sure of what output is desired.
Red line is your original
Hi, I think thats just an inaccuracy on my part I'm still refining my set of component outlines, In essence that cross should be able to be aligned with other objects so that it is easy to line up a row of them on the basis of the holes required in the panel they are mounted. The rest of the drawing is so I can assess the space occupied by the connectors etc as I plan the layout of the front panel and the printed circuit board, Thanks
Some things I'd consider:
Menu: View>Display mode>Outline Overlay allows selection of invisible objects.
Guides can be positioned with precision by double clicking on the guide.
Expressions can be entered into numeric entry boxes.
Hi Tyler, That's really useful, I can now see and select what isn't visible, also it has made me do a bit more exploring of snaps. My own invisible box is centred on the spindle axes and encloses the whole component so the Inkscape bounding box centre is co-incident and symetrical with the pot spindles, snaping to the box centre is just what I need. For interest, below is what the final printing for the face plate might look like on the left and the layout of components behind is shown on the right. Now I have to synchronise the PCB and the faceplate SVG so the drill holes will ultimately line up.
Thanks for all the help
Potentiometer Scales - thanks to synth panel designer inkscape extension https://faselunare.com
