Quantify the area of a shape in Inkscape

Question

In Inkscape, is there a way to automatically calculate the space / area a shape occupies? I am representing data in complex shapes and I need a way to scale them accordingly.

Answer 1

To automatically obtain the area of a shape in pixel, cm and so on simply select the shape, go to Extensions > Visualise Path > Measure Path ... and select the desired output. It does not work for objects though (for example rectangles drawn with the Create rectangles and squares tool). Convert them to paths before (Path > Object to Path).