What is the difference between view "100%" and "Actual Size"?

[Bad_Wolf]

Hi all,

I am puzzled about the view 100% and view Actual Size. I thought the "100%" view is "1:1" or like it will appear when you print it on paper or use it on a website. In that same assumption, I thought "100%" and "Actual Size" were the same. However, I discovered I was wrong in my beliefs or thoughts.

Please, can you explain to me what the difference is, and when to use the one above the other? Your advice will be appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Chris

[Alfred]

If you’re using physical document units (e.g. inches or cm) and you want it to appear on screen as it will appear on paper, use ‘Actual Size’. For a document where the units are pixels, one pixel on screen will correspond to one pixel in the document, so setting the view zoom to 100% will make the document display at its exact pixel size.

[markw]

Actual Size; will use your screen’s pixel resolution and your documents dimensions + DPI setting to workout the zoom level required to display the document on your screen at it’s physical printed size.
100% Zoom; matches document pixels to screen pixels 1:1 I believe.
Pixel Size; Well, I confess I’m not really sure what that’s showing given that 100% already matches document pixels to screen pixels? But it zooms in to 200%+/-  on a A3 (4959x3507px), 300dpi document.

[Pšenda]

1 hour ago, markw said:

100% Zoom; matches document pixels to screen pixels 1:1 I believe.

https://affinity.help/designer2/English.lproj/index.html

[Bad_Wolf]

Hello Alfred, MarkW and Psenda,

Please accept my apology for this delayed answer. Thank you all so much for your explanations and help. You gave me a clear understanding of the difference and when to use which view.

For game graphics where the units are pixels, I will use 100% view. For printed materials, I will use the actual size view.

I do appreciate everyone's input and thank you for your efforts spent on my misunderstanding.

Have a good day!

Chris