Does the SVG specification limit local co-ordinate systems for transformations, or is it a function of the UI (i.e. Inkscape itself).
Specifically, if I take a number of objects and group them, then scale, rotate, and/or skew the group, I would like to be able to step into the group and perform operations that also run through the same transforms.
For example, if I group several orthogonal squares together, then rotate the group, I would like to be able to step into the group, select one of the squares and scale it non-uniformly into a rectangle. Currently, it will deform into a rhombus.
The results I am looking for can be achieved in the current Inkscape be making a clone of the group, then scaling, rotating and/or skewing the clone. I can then go back and modify the source and the expected result happens. This, however, is very awkward, as I need to keep the originals all parked off page and can't accurately change the shapes by eye to get things lined up.
SVG spec supports viewports and I got real close by following these steps:
I opened up the xml editor and selected the group node for layer 1 and added a new "element node" that I set as svg:svg i then dragged the group I want to transform INTO the node. You can select the svg:svg element and apply a rotation (or translation, but only one...so use rotation). Now right click and enter svg2912.
Click into the group object. You can now translate or scale the elements of the group orthogonally! I.e. if you cursor right, it moves in positive X direction of the original object, not the rotated one. Essentially everything inside the svg:svg element has a different axis than the page.
Now the big problem. Inkscape will not respect the rotation of the svg:svg node when loading the savd file, so the object moves.
Any suggestions? Is this a feature request? is support of the svg:svg viewport element?
Thanks in advance-
-Rob A>