Technical FAQ


What is the unit that Sketsa use ?

Currently, Sketsa Visual tool generate all coordinates and lengths without a unit identifier. Which mean the given coordinate or length is assumed to be in user units (i.e a value in the current user coordinate system).

How do I save as svgz (compressed SVG file) ?

In order to save as a svgz(compressed SVG file), on the file save dialog box, specify ".svgz" as the file extension. For example type "test.svgz" instead of "test.svg".

How do I move or resize Text Object ?

In order to move or resize Text Object, please use Transform tool (translate or scale).

How do I change SVG Style (Presentation Attribute or CSS Style) ?

You can change in the Preferences - Code Format. By default Sketsa use Presentation Attribute. In there you also can change several other values like tab witdh, line width, or line break. For style it only affect new or modified element, it does not change existing element.

How do I change canvas size ?

You can change canvas size using source editor and change the outermost SVG width/height attribute. If the width/height attribute using percentage value, you can change the default width/height in Preferences - General.

Why do Sketsa change my SVG source ?

Although, we try not to change your SVG code too much, certain SVG code rewriting is necessary to make it work better with Sketsa. However, the changes done by Sketsa is still SVG valid syntax.

Why do I get OutOfMemoryError ?

Because there is not enough memory to perform the required task. To specify Sketsa memory, please use Java option -Xmx to specify the maximum size of the memory allocation pool. For example to use 256 Mb memory:

- Edit the following file [install_dir]/etc/sketsa.conf
- Find the following default_options
- Edit the -Xmx128m to -Xmx256m

Note: The '#' indicate it is a comment

Why do I get broken images when I using external reference ?

It is because the Sketsa use relative path to reference external resources. Please check the external references is available and in the correct path.

Why do I get black image from export ?

It is because some image viewer does not support alpha channel correctly. Those viewers display black transparent background instead of white background. In order to avoid this please select Force Transparent White option on the export dialog box. It controls whether the encoder should force the image's fully transparent pixels to be fully transparent white instead of fully transparent black. This is useful when the image is displayed in a viewer which does not support transparency correctly and lets the image display with a white background instead of a black background.
Note: using Force Transparent White option the result image will display differently over a white background in a viewer that supports transparency.

Why do the canvas show nothing when I load some SVG File ?

Current Sketsa release requires width and height attribute in absolute length (not percentage) in outermost svg during editing. Later, you can change the width/height attribute during the deployment. We are still looking for good solution for this problem.

Why do the canvas place the object in the wrong position ?

It could be the viewbox attribute. Please try remove the viewbox attribute during editing and check whether it solve the problem or not. You can add the viewbox back for the deployment.

Why cut, copy, and paste do not produce exact copy ?

It is because cut, copy, and paste only copy the element itself, it does not copy the parent attribute or the referenced element. For example if the parent have transform attribute, the parent transform attribute are not included or if the element reference gradient, filter, etc those referenced elements are not included.