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K
kcrossley
Inspiring
July 16, 2017
Answered

Aspect Ratio Calculator (in inches)?

  • July 16, 2017
  • 5 replies
  • 6294 views

I'm designing a new brochure and I'm looking for a good aspect ratio calculator to ensure that my images are consistent. Everything I've found online is for screen projects and uses pixels. I need a calculator that uses inches. Does anyone have any recommendations?

Thanks!

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer bucksommerkamp

It's not exactly an aspect ratio calculator, but you might not know that in InDesign you can enter math formulas into any box that requires sizes or positions: i.e., if you enter "2.5in x 3" you'll get a 7.5in object or XY position depending upon where you enter the math.

It could help if you're trying to do a ratio of something; if something needs to be 1/3 of something else, you could enter its size and then *.333 (i.e., if something had an X position on the page of 0.4582 in, if you entered 0.4582*.3 into the box, it would calculate as 0.1375in).

The bottom line: all of those numeric/units input boxes support this, so you can do some fun math without having to ever open a calculator!

I hope this helps.

Buck

5 replies

TᴀW
TᴀW
Legend
July 17, 2017

kcrossley  wrote

I'm designing a new brochure and I'm looking for a good aspect ratio calculator to ensure that my images are consistent. Everything I've found online is for screen projects and uses pixels. I need a calculator that uses inches. Does anyone have any recommendations?

Thanks!

I'm not sure I understand the question. But maybe the following will help:

Do you know that you can type a value in inches in the percentage field (not only the dimensions field)?

So, for example, as you know, you can type 50% into the percentage field, and (if the H and V are linked) it will reduce, proportionally, the image, to half it's original size.

But you can also type 3.5 inches into one of the percentage fields (say the H field), and (if H and V are linked), the image will be resized proportionally such that it's width is 3.5 inches, and its height whatever it needs to be to stay proportional.

HTH,

Ariel

K
kcrossleyAuthor
Inspiring
July 17, 2017

Wow! Lots of great info here. Thanks guys. Yes, I do have a proportion wheel, but I haven't used it in years. And yes, I've seen Nigel's course, but I probably need to revisit that. Thanks again folks. I appreciate your help.

JonathanArias
JonathanArias
Legend
July 17, 2017

If you are using vector art it will scale with no issues. Check the images you are working with on adobe photoshop so you can see their size and resolution. 

    JonathanArias
    JonathanArias
    Legend
    July 17, 2017

    to add on to this. i use grids to bring all of the art together in the layout and help me balance compositions after i go over all of the images and how far i can take them. Nigel French has a great course on lynda.com on working with grids that is great. Working with girds takes the guess work out of how to place your art and copy on the page to create balance.

    B
    Bo_LeBeau
    Participating Frequently
    July 17, 2017

    You should get a Proportion Wheel.

      Steve Werner
      Community Expert
      Steve WernerCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      July 17, 2017

      Or do a Google search on "digital proportion wheel"

      John Mensinger
      Community Expert
      John MensingerCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      July 17, 2017

      Without thinking much about it, it occurs to me that I've used Photoshop for this on many occasions. Enter your aspect ratio (units don't matter) in the New Document (legacy) dialog, then use the Image Size dialog (proportions constrained) to "convert" it to any size in whatever units you need.

      bucksommerkamp
      Community Expert
      bucksommerkampCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
      Community Expert
      July 16, 2017

      It's not exactly an aspect ratio calculator, but you might not know that in InDesign you can enter math formulas into any box that requires sizes or positions: i.e., if you enter "2.5in x 3" you'll get a 7.5in object or XY position depending upon where you enter the math.

      It could help if you're trying to do a ratio of something; if something needs to be 1/3 of something else, you could enter its size and then *.333 (i.e., if something had an X position on the page of 0.4582 in, if you entered 0.4582*.3 into the box, it would calculate as 0.1375in).

      The bottom line: all of those numeric/units input boxes support this, so you can do some fun math without having to ever open a calculator!

      I hope this helps.

      Buck

        K
        kcrossleyAuthor
        Inspiring
        July 17, 2017

        Thanks Buck. Yes, I know about that and I use that feature all the time.

        I just spent a few weeks working on a new website so I think I may be stuck on aspect ratios because of that. Anyway, I ended up using image sizes that fit the page format of the brochure instead. Thanks for your help.

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