[scribus] images: fitting and filling the frame

[Gregory Pittman]

On 3/5/19 9:21 AM, ale rimoldi wrote:
> hi
> 
> i've opened two tickets for improving the ways images fits in the frame.
> 
> - when an image is set to fit the frame, it should just fit it
>   https://bugs.scribus.net/view.php?id=15448
> 
> - fill a frame with the image
>   https://bugs.scribus.net/view.php?id=15560
> 
> i have written a short article to present the new features:
> 
> http://impagina.org/news/2019-03-04-fill-fit-images
> 
> i have a patch that is almost ready and, if you're comfortable with
> github, it can be tested here:
> 
> https://github.com/aoloe/scribus/tree/image-fill-frame
> (the branch contains both patches)
> 
> you can see the patch applied in this screencast:
> 
> https://my.mixtape.moe/aiujle.webm
> 
> - first i move the image inside a frame where the image fits
>   - the image always "fits" the frame
>   - you cannot rotate or zoom it
> - then, in free scaling, i can freely move around or rotate the image
> - in the new "fill frame" mode, i can only move the image in one
>   direction, and i see the most of the image, given the constraint that
>   it should have no "white bands".
> 
> 
> there is little missing and i can submit a patch.
> 
> but there is one big question:
> 
> is it really needed to create a third mode?
> or does anybody see a better way to allow the new feature?
> 
> i've been thinking about adding a checkbox in the "fit to frame"
> section, but i could not get to a solution that is clearly better.
> 
> i'm eager to ear your feedback...

It's hard for me to see this as an enhancement. Adding more ways to do various things leads to more confusion.
There is already the ability in Preferences and Document Settings (Item Tools > Image) to by default load an image into a frame and fill the frame, either while keeping the image proportional to the original, or stretching to fill the entire frame. If you want to adjust the Y-Pos of the image in the frame, use the spinbox for that in Properties > Image tab - you don't have to use Edit Contents mode.

I find that when I am doing this, the size and shape that I make an image frame is really somewhat arbitrary. I don't want it to be some precise size, and I only guess at the proportions it needs to be for a given image. I don't have an issue with fitting the frame to the image if needed, and if you're not showing the frame in some color, you don't have to resize the frame.

Greg