Open PDF, document units always points?

[Fixx]

I just wonder. When I start a new document, units are always millimetres (as I prefer), but when I open any PDF, units are always points. Why? Can this be changed?

[GarryP]

When you create a new document you will be using one of the presets (or using your own settings) and mm just happens to be the unit of measure in those presets.

A PDF document has a unit of measure which is defined by points: https://www.gdpicture.com/guides/gdpicture/About a PDF format.html

I don’t think that can be changed as it's part of the PDF specification.

[Dan C]

13 minutes ago, Fixx said:

when I open any PDF, units are always points. Why?

As Garry has mentioned above, Affinitys PDF Library, and by extension the PDF spec uses the default units as Points - which can also be seen when viewing the 'Get Info' dialog for a PDF in macOS.

15 minutes ago, Fixx said:

Can this be changed?

Unfortunately it's not possible to change the PDF library/spec, however this Feedback request is valid for an option in Affinity to automatically set your default units on opened/imported documents, which we may look to add in a future update.

I hope this clears things up!

[SkemGraham]

I also get somewhat frustrated by the default use of points.

• When creating panorama in Affinity Photo (even if new pages open in mm)
• When creating a new document from the clipboard (eg Affinity Photo image in mm into Affinity Designer)
• When making Export Persona Pages in Affinity Designer

[walt.farrell]

32 minutes ago, SkemGraham said:

I also get somewhat frustrated by the default use of points.

I think you probably mean px not points (pt). But yes, many users have complained about that.