Print Scalebar Update

[OlofSvahnVbg]

What’s the problem?

Many users have noted that the scalebar, specifically the distances drawn out in the scalebar, are somewhat problematic. The main concerns are:

1. The distance number for some scales are difficult to divide by 2 or more.
2. The scalebar contains insufficient division lines for accurate and easy measurements.

Together, these two concerns create a difficult to use scalebar, as the user often need to divide or multiply the total distance number on the scalebar.

An improvement would be more division lines and set total distance numbers that are easily divided and multiplied by 2.

For example, the user might print in the scale 1:500:

The scalebar now draws like this:

The distance “25” divided by 2 is 12,5 which isn’t hard math, but it might be problematic when measuring. An even number would be better here.

Same problem also arises if the user prints with the scale 1:2000:

The distance “75” divided by 2 is 37.5, which is not ideal. Also if you multiply 75 you get 150, 225, 300, 375, 455 and so on. A better distance number would be “100”, for obvious reasons.

If you want to measure something shorter than “75”, every line division on your ruler would be fractions. Examples: 37,5, 18,75, 9,375 and so on.

How to improve this?

To fix this we should add more division lines and have set numbers that are even tens or hundreds. The number should also be evenly divisible by 2 (at least once divided). Numbers like 10, 20, 40, 80, 100, 200, 300 etc. These numbers are easier to divide/multiply than 25 and 75.

Adding division lines can be done in many ways. Maybe we want lines evenly placed on the entire scalebar with number markers above some lines. Or we might want a scalebar with increasing distances between the division lines. Either is fine, but one certain user with insight in the matter suggested the latter.

Examples:

Evenly distributed division lines:

Increasingly distributed division lines:

I'm given to understand that the code for drawing the scalebar is a bit complex. I am inclined to poke around and test a few things, but I'm not sure I'm the best person for this fix.

[Hallbergs]

I agree completely! The suggested solution looks good!

I think you should give it a go! If you want to discuss the solution or bounce ideas just reach out!