What's the reason for 128% in zoom?

[Patrick J]

Hi

This is something I've been wondering about. That I have been wondering about it suggests I don't have enough difficulties in life.

Anyway with Nisus Writer Express 2.7 the zoom menu goes in the following percentage increments:

25, 50, 75, 100, 128, 200, 400, 800

Why 128 and not 125?

It doesn't matter very much; I'm just curious

[gemboy27]

I am okay with the 128, though on the intel iMac I keep it around 141

The one I have a problem with is 200, why isn't it 227%. I've always thought that was crazy.

Gem
patiently --- very patiently --- wating for world peace

[Mark XM]

Anyway with Nisus Writer Express 2.7 the zoom menu goes in the following percentage increments:

25, 50, 75, 100, 128, 200, 400, 800

Why 128 and not 125?

My guess is that it is to do with area ratios. For instance, if you have a canvas size of 800x600 and you want to convert it to 600x400--which is the equivalent of cutting it in half on the long axis and rotating one of the halves by 90 degrees, you don't resize to 50% as that gives you 400 x 300 ... not the same thing at all. The ratio you want is actually 64% or thereabouts. For the same reason, the ratio between A4 and A3 paper must be 128%, and that's where it comes from.

Do tell me I'm right, Martin or Mark!

Mark

[Ryan]

Gem
patiently --- very patiently --- wating for world peace

Good luck — to us all.


And as far as the 128%, I've wondered this myself, though not cared enough to actually ask anyone. Cool.