Request for Additional Measurement Units in Affinity: Enhancing Design Workflow

[wizwact]

Hello, I'm from Indonesia. Typically, when we create banner designs, roll-ups, or similar items, we always use centimeter/meter measurements. I know that Affinity already provides these options through the new document menu, but I couldn't find them in the document export section. This has been quite confusing for me, as I've had to manually re-enter the measurements in centimeters by typing "cm" in the size column. I would greatly appreciate it if in the next update, additional measurement units could be added to the export section, similar to what is available in Corel Draw. Thank you.

[Old Bruce]

As you have chosen a pixel file format (TIFF) for the export format then the only sensible unit of measurement is going to Pixels.

[RM f/g]

Myself,I agree with @wizwact. It would be helpfull to have the option tot export a tiff to x mm/cm @ y ppi.

A size in pixels is ok for online use. For print I prefer size in mm + resolution.

[Oufti]

17 hours ago, RM f/g said:

It would be helpful to have the option tot export a tiff to x mm/cm @ y ppi.

As you know the value for x and y, you can type the corresponding formula directly in the dimensions export field (at least if you use a desktop version of Affinity's softwares).
https://affinity.help/photo/en-US.lproj/pages/Workspace/expressions.html

pixels = x inches * y pixels per inch (ppi)
or
pixels = x cm / 2,54 * y ppi
 

You just need to type the numbers, result will be converted in pixels.
For example, if you want a 21 cm wide page @ 300 ppi, type: 

21 / 2,54 * 300

— For myself, when needed, I prefer to use a dedicated spreadsheet that tells me all at once: dimensions, resolutions, gray levels, LPI, etc.

[wizwact]

As we all know, studying mathematical formulas for designers can be quite challenging. After all, our work primarily revolves around creativity, doesn't it?

It would be nice if the export dialog box had the same measurements as the initial settings when we create a new document. For instance, if we choose centimeters as the document units, the export dialog should also default to centimeters

thank you

[Oufti]

I personally don't think that a multiplication or a division are too difficult tasks, even for creative people, but you don't need it anyway: 

You should only set your document (File > Document settings) @ desired resolution and set its dimensions in whatever unit you like. All maths are done for you there.

 

9 hours ago, wizwact said:

It would be nice if the export dialog box had the same measurements as the initial settings when we create a new document.

It has, implicitly.  

As explained before by @Old Bruce, when you export in TIFF, it will be presented in pixels, as this is the only pertinent unit for a digital image, but rest assured that when printed at defined resolution (i.e. say 300 ppi) it will have the right dimensions (wether you use inches, meters or feet).
(The same way, when you export in PDF, you only see the resolution chosen, no pixels nor inches or cm.) 

If you want to resize your document at export time, blindlessly on last minute, you can also introduce directly a percentage value in width field, e.g.  120% — but this resampling will therefore modify resolution or dimension(s), as we all know.

• I admit that in this case a visualization in the export window of [the resulting dimensions for any given resolution], or reversely, could be useful – but that's apparently not the place chosen in the interface to do it. In none of the Export options (PDF, EPS, JPEG…) you have dimensions. Only resolution OR pixels. 

At least, you can type it yourself, as explained above (pixels = inches * ppi).
That's the reason I sometimes use this spreadsheet aside, but it won't perhaps be very practical to include it in the export window…