Help with simple re-sizing?

[Jillybelly28]

Hi there, I have downloaded a sewing pattern pdf from online and would like to make the final product twice as large. The pdf file was set up to print on 8x11 paper, and so I opened the file in affinity designer which opened all 12 pages in an artboard form. Some of the pattern pieces are as large as the page, so after they are re-sized, they will need to print on more than one piece of paper, which I will tape together.  If anyone can help me with a simple way to do this, I would really really appreciate it!  Thank you very much!  :)
 

[crabtrem]

Hello.  I am no expert.  So please bear with me.

I could really have used an example, because I can be a little dense.  But here goes my opinion.

I am assuming the pattern is a background pixel layer on the artboard?

 

From the layers panel select the background pixel layer.

The in the transform layer at the bottom of the studio, make sure the chain is connected on you H and W boxes.

In either one (cause the chain has bound them to each other), type *=2. And tab or return out.

Now make a copy of that artboard, and move it where you want it.

Adjust the position of your patterns on each Artboard the way you want. 

(you may get some pixelation on your patterns because of your doubling the size without resampling)

This is the easiest method I can think of.  But remember it is only my opinion.  It is by no way authoritative in any way.

[Jillybelly28]

Here is the file.  It is maybe the cutest little raccoon in the whole entire universe.  :)

I have noticed that I am able to select each of the markings on the pattern individually and then "group" them together, but I have not yet figured out how to add a new artboard onto the same screen I am working on, And I am not sure how to get one image to print across two pages. I am starting a business where i make softies in my own designs and am using this pattern as a practice sample for all of the different methods I am needing to learn when it comes to my own pattern drafting. I plan to scan my own smaller paper-drawn patterns and blow them up in affinity designer.  :)   Thank you again for your help!

ReaRaccoon-NimblePhish.afdesign

[crabtrem]

Great. Can you give me about an hour.  I have a suggestion.  It may not be the best.  But I'm going to have a quick video with it.  

It should at least give you enough ideas to start, and work from.  I am assuming that paper size is limited to the artboard size from what you said, so I am working from that to start.

Be back with you in a bit.

[crabtrem]

Okay.  Here is my first attempt.  The movie is bigger than this forum accepts so I had to put it on my YouTube channel.

Here is the link

https://youtu.be/0xTizDe4lHo

 

So if you can follow along.  Highlighting the name of the artboard (top left) is how you select the artboard.  I know I'm going over stuff you already know, but I want to be thorough.

So the first issue is that all the patterns were individual objects.

The plus is that they were easy to select dragging the move/select tool across.

Once I had a pattern selected, you can see all the layers that comprise the drawing.  

I then grouped them together using CMD G, and moved them off the artboard.

I save one on the artboard, and went to the transform tab at the bottom right of the studio.

I put in the value *=2 in the Height box (with the chain link enabled) to adjust the pattern exactly twice its size.

Because of the paper size, I rotated 90 degrees, holding down shift to constrain the rotation.

I placed the object where I want it.

I now select the artboard again, by selecting either the layer identifier in the layers panel, or by clicking on the artboard name.

I now hold down CMD-drag to make a copy of the artboard and all of its contents.  You could have used CMD J to duplicate too.

I select the object (pattern) on the copy and move the drawing to where I want.

Now you can either just make copies, or insert new artboards by selecting the Artboard tool and hitting the insert Artboard button on the context menu

Arrange and size you patterns according to your desires.

 

Hope this helped.  I may not be the best way, or only way.  But it is what I came up with.

[R C-R]

I want to thank both of you for this. Learning how to use the Artboard feature was one of the (many) things I have been putting off, but this topic inspired me to download the file to use as an example & watch the movie to see what it was all about.

 

I think I learned more from doing that in 20 minutes than I would have in hours if I had tried to figure it out on my own.  :)

[Jillybelly28]

Crabtrem I am so grateful that you took the time to make that video and type out those instructions so clearly... you helped me with my last question aswell and I owe so much of my success in AD to your help! Our world REALLY needs people like you!!! I hadn't previously known about how to select or duplicate an artboard but now I can see that it is very easy! I love learning new keyboard shortcuts aswell, like command G... that's so awesome!  Thank you!  :)