# Suggestions

**URL:** https://discourse.gplates.org/c/suggestions/9.md

[Latest](https://discourse.gplates.org/latest.md) · [Categories](https://discourse.gplates.org/categories.md)

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## [About the Suggestions category](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/about-the-suggestions-category/25)

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**Author:** [@mchin](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/mchin)\
**Replies:** 0

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Ideas or plans put forward for consideration.

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## [Increase the Size of Vertices](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/increase-the-size-of-vertices/3273)

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**Author:** [@Dewgone95](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/Dewgone95)\
**Replies:** 2\
**Last updated:** [25 September 2026 16:04 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/increase-the-size-of-vertices/3273 "2026-09-25T16:04:37Z")

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I often find it’s difficult to click on vertices if I need to delete a lot of them as they’re so small, especially as there’s no way to split a polygon in two. There should be a way to make polygon vertices larger like …

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## [Release GPlates as Snap or Flatpak for Linux](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/release-gplates-as-snap-or-flatpak-for-linux/696)

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**Author:** [@Eldalinarwie](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/Eldalinarwie)\
**Replies:** 7\
**Last updated:** [24 September 2026 02:28 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/release-gplates-as-snap-or-flatpak-for-linux/696 "2026-09-24T02:28:22Z")

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The .deb package no longer meets dependencies in Ubuntu 23.04. It might be more efficient to release this as a Flatpak so that there is no dependency searching for Linux desktops, and those using non-Debian based Linux d…

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## [Adding absolute age/property colours](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/adding-absolute-age-property-colours/3264)

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**Author:** [@MrUks](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/MrUks)\
**Replies:** 3\
**Last updated:** [21 July 2026 07:05 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/adding-absolute-age-property-colours/3264 "2026-07-21T07:05:44Z")

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Hi, I’ve been helping someone work on their GPlates project and had a question to use absolute values for colour by age. Currently I’m only aware of making colours change over time. If you would to assign colours depend…

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## [Kinematics should reflect changes made to the Earth radius](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/kinematics-should-reflect-changes-made-to-the-earth-radius/1242)

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**Author:** [@tjtrewin](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/tjtrewin)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [17 June 2025 17:27 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/kinematics-should-reflect-changes-made-to-the-earth-radius/1242 "2025-06-17T17:27:08Z")

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When I change the Earth radius in the measure tool (S), the changes to this scale are currently only reflected when using the measure tool. I’d love for this to also be reflected in the kinematics tool so that I can ana…

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## [Some ideas for potential features](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/some-ideas-for-potential-features/1204)

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**Author:** [@crackdtoothgrin](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/crackdtoothgrin)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [15 April 2025 04:41 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/some-ideas-for-potential-features/1204 "2025-04-15T04:41:10Z")

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I’ve been using this software for worldbuilding purposes for a while now. Admittedly, I am not coming here from an academic background. But part of using this software also has me often loading real data and investigatin…

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## [Map projections](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/map-projections/915)

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**Author:** [@KUNAKANA22271](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/KUNAKANA22271)\
**Replies:** 6\
**Last updated:** [7 January 2025 05:03 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/map-projections/915 "2025-01-07T05:03:48Z")

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Can we maybe get more projections, like the Van der Grinten or Gall-Peters?

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## [Add position retention back to feature creation menus](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/add-position-retention-back-to-feature-creation-menus/954)

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**Author:** [@nickallanj](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/nickallanj)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [15 August 2024 05:11 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/add-position-retention-back-to-feature-creation-menus/954 "2024-08-15T05:11:37Z")

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Since version 2.3.0, the feature creation menus (eg. for topologies and polgyons) always open in a set position, meaning you have to move your mouse across the screen to interact with them every time (strains the wrists!…

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## [Rotation of point attribute data](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/rotation-of-point-attribute-data/950)

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**Author:** [@DCoutts](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/DCoutts)\
**Replies:** 1\
**Last updated:** [11 August 2024 11:53 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/rotation-of-point-attribute-data/950 "2024-08-11T11:53:17Z")

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Hi GPlates team I was wondering if you know if it’s possible to rotate reconstruct azimuthal measurements attirbute data attached to points. For example, if I have the trend (azimuth) of paleocurrents measured at a mode…

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## [Add the ability to set a three-way half-stage rotation](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/add-the-ability-to-set-a-three-way-half-stage-rotation/936)

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**Author:** [@nickallanj](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/nickallanj)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [31 July 2024 05:35 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/add-the-ability-to-set-a-three-way-half-stage-rotation/936 "2024-07-31T05:35:06Z")

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It would be helpful to be able to set points to move relative to three plate IDs. In addition to this, pygplates should get a function to generate a three-way midpoint between three points. There are a lot of uses for th…

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## [How to make a .cpt file with repeated colours?](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/how-to-make-a-cpt-file-with-repeated-colours/872)

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**Author:** [@faster328](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/faster328)\
**Replies:** 1\
**Last updated:** [4 May 2024 07:23 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/how-to-make-a-cpt-file-with-repeated-colours/872 "2024-05-04T07:23:48Z")

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I am planning to make a .cpt file which repeats colours in a specific pattern. (example: blue (mod 4 = 1), green (mod 4 = 2), yellow (mod 4 = 3), red (mod 4 = 0)) Existing: Default Plate ID (mod 11) I do not know how…

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## [Assign More Plate IDs to Terranes in Australia](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/assign-more-plate-ids-to-terranes-in-australia/864)

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**Author:** [@faster328](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/faster328)\
**Replies:** 4\
**Last updated:** [30 April 2024 12:55 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/assign-more-plate-ids-to-terranes-in-australia/864 "2024-04-30T12:55:52Z")

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There are already Plate IDs assigned to Proterozoic cratons. (eg Congo to 701, South India to 501, Laurentia to 101) What about each terrane in Australia having different Plate IDs? (Reserve 801 to one of the terranes -…

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## [Various suggestions by someone with absolutely no experience](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/various-suggestions-by-someone-with-absolutely-no-experience/802)

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**Author:** [@Rheiagurl](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/Rheiagurl)\
**Replies:** 1\
**Last updated:** [14 March 2024 16:13 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/various-suggestions-by-someone-with-absolutely-no-experience/802 "2024-03-14T16:13:09Z")

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Have an option for ‘snap to vertex from reference object’ when using the digitize tool. Simply put, this would allow a secondary selection of another object (to avoid snapping to random things you don’t care about) while…

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## [Snapping vertices during digitisation and reconstruction](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/snapping-vertices-during-digitisation-and-reconstruction/148)

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**Author:** [@thomas.schaap](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/thomas.schaap)\
**Replies:** 1\
**Last updated:** [14 March 2024 16:06 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/snapping-vertices-during-digitisation-and-reconstruction/148 "2024-03-14T16:06:50Z")

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Hi all, Just a quick suggestion which might have been brought up previously. I was wondering if it might be possible to implement a “snapping” capability for the digitise and pole manipulation tools. While I would usual…

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## [How we use GPlates](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/how-we-use-gplates/501)

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**Author:** [@nickallanj](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/nickallanj)\
**Replies:** 1\
**Last updated:** [5 July 2023 00:55 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/how-we-use-gplates/501 "2023-07-05T00:55:35Z")

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GPlates has the unique problem of being used by two completely different audiences that share little to no communication. One group, of which I am a part, sees GPlates as a platform for designing fictional planets. The o…

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## [Integrated pole rotations file writing](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/integrated-pole-rotations-file-writing/653)

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**Author:** [@nickallanj](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/nickallanj)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [9 March 2023 10:44 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/integrated-pole-rotations-file-writing/653 "2023-03-09T10:44:58Z")

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There should be a way to add new plate IDs to a project’s rotations file as you are creating features. In addition to this, a way to switch a plate’s parent ID at a given time (eg. “300 moves relative to 100, then detach…

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## [I'd like to pay someone to make a pyGPlates scripts to edit .rot files](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/id-like-to-pay-someone-to-make-a-pygplates-scripts-to-edit-rot-files/637)

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**Author:** [@StephenRider](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/StephenRider)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [2 February 2023 18:20 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/id-like-to-pay-someone-to-make-a-pygplates-scripts-to-edit-rot-files/637 "2023-02-02T18:20:38Z")

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Hi, I’d like to pay someone to make a script in pyGPlates that does three things: takes the rotation line closest to 0 and copies it to 1 MYa Either through the GUI or terminal, uncouple conjugate plates at the timest…

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## [Exporting Reconstructed Geometries to TERRA grid](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/exporting-reconstructed-geometries-to-terra-grid/537)

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**Author:** [@AbiPlimmer](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/AbiPlimmer)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [27 May 2022 13:52 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/exporting-reconstructed-geometries-to-terra-grid/537 "2022-05-27T13:52:38Z")

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I am trying to implement reconstructed geometries of features into a terra workflow but currently this involves exporting to GMT and then finding a long winded way to covert GMT to terra grids. I think it would be useful…

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## [Stratigraphic timescale](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/stratigraphic-timescale/531)

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**Author:** [@graceshephard](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/graceshephard)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [11 May 2022 11:16 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/stratigraphic-timescale/531 "2022-05-11T11:16:34Z")

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Passing on a viz suggestion from a colleague (from the stratigraphy community) - and maybe it is an idea for the app you are developing. In addition to the absolute time being displayed, having a stratigraphic scale (e.g…

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## [Exporting small circles](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/exporting-small-circles/530)

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**Author:** [@graceshephard](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/graceshephard)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [11 May 2022 11:08 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/exporting-small-circles/530 "2022-05-11T11:08:17Z")

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Hi GPlates team, I have found this thread Export small circles to shp in Q&A but have shifted to Suggestion. It would be great to be able to export small circles (e.g. as shapefile). I know it is currently just a displ…

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## [Please add undo functionality that actually works?](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/please-add-undo-functionality-that-actually-works/477)

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**Author:** [@Alth](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/Alth)\
**Replies:** 1\
**Last updated:** [7 February 2022 01:58 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/please-add-undo-functionality-that-actually-works/477 "2022-02-07T01:58:13Z")

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I just deleted an entire polygon by accident and now I can’t even undo it because the undo function doesn’t work properly, it’s greyed out so now I have to reload from an earlier version.

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## [Insert Pole in Rotation Model and Export Reconstructed VGPs](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/insert-pole-in-rotation-model-and-export-reconstructed-vgps/461)

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**Author:** [@Zaizheng](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/Zaizheng)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [6 January 2022 02:52 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/insert-pole-in-rotation-model-and-export-reconstructed-vgps/461 "2022-01-06T02:52:49Z")

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Dear Gplates Team, I often use the Gplates software to reconstruct paleogeography of cratons with paleomagnetic data. I found that the software has a “Insert Pole in Rotation Model” button, but it doesn’t work. I’m curi…

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## [Plot paleomagnetic pole with ellipse of confidence](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/plot-paleomagnetic-pole-with-ellipse-of-confidence/430)

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**Author:** [@Chris\_Klootwijk](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/Chris_Klootwijk)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [8 November 2021 01:53 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/plot-paleomagnetic-pole-with-ellipse-of-confidence/430 "2021-11-08T01:53:06Z")

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GPates has a feature to draw paleomagnetic poles (VGP) with a circle of confidence (alpha95 angle). That works well for poles that have been determined as a mean of individual poles, with an alpha95 angle for the circle …

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## [Feature request: tool that can split polygons](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/feature-request-tool-that-can-split-polygons/354)

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**Author:** [@Robbie](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/Robbie)\
**Replies:** 2\
**Last updated:** [2 August 2021 01:48 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/feature-request-tool-that-can-split-polygons/354 "2021-08-02T01:48:12Z")

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The split feature tool is currently only able to cut polylines. It would be a really useful addition if there was an equivalent tool that could cut polygons, either by cutting two edges or by drawing a polyline that bise…

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## [Dedicated bug report category in forums](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/dedicated-bug-report-category-in-forums/344)

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**Author:** [@nickallanj](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/nickallanj)\
**Replies:** 1\
**Last updated:** [26 July 2021 06:34 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/dedicated-bug-report-category-in-forums/344 "2021-07-26T06:34:21Z")

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Basically as it says in the title, have a place to bring up any bugs we encounter and discuss potential workarounds and development-side solutions. It looks like these have mostly found a place in Q&A, but that category …

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## [GPlates projects - Have a 'Recent projects' list in the File menu](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/gplates-projects-have-a-recent-projects-list-in-the-file-menu/308)

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**Author:** [@chhei](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/chhei)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [22 May 2021 20:50 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/gplates-projects-have-a-recent-projects-list-in-the-file-menu/308 "2021-05-22T20:50:34Z")

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Hi John, Michael et al., it would be great to have an option to open recent projects in the File menu similar to the already implemented File → Open Recent Session for GPlates projects - ie File → Open Recent Projects →…

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## [Change Opacity and Thickness of Lines in Layers](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/change-opacity-and-thickness-of-lines-in-layers/274)

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**Author:** [@SPACE\_LEMON](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/SPACE_LEMON)\
**Replies:** 1\
**Last updated:** [26 February 2021 09:44 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/change-opacity-and-thickness-of-lines-in-layers/274 "2021-02-26T09:44:26Z")

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I would very much like to be able to change the opacity and thickness of lines (of both line features and polygons) in specific layers. This could be used, for instance, to differentiate between active and inactive fault…

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## [Feature manip functionality in feature inspection](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/feature-manip-functionality-in-feature-inspection/231)

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**Author:** [@Alth](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/Alth)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [30 November 2020 00:16 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/feature-manip-functionality-in-feature-inspection/231 "2020-11-30T00:16:28Z")

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I think it would definitely be very useful to have more control over features. This functionality exists for reconstruction so it can’t be that difficult to implement. A few suggestions: Move/scale/rotate feature Sel…

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## [Setting to change the size of vertices to make them easier to grab](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/setting-to-change-the-size-of-vertices-to-make-them-easier-to-grab/208)

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**Author:** [@Alth](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/Alth)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [23 October 2020 01:16 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/setting-to-change-the-size-of-vertices-to-make-them-easier-to-grab/208 "2020-10-23T01:16:49Z")

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It’s a bit annoying for me to select vertices as they are so tiny. Could we get an option to scale up the size?

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## [Support ellipsoid planet sizes](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/support-ellipsoid-planet-sizes/203)

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**Author:** [@Arc](https://discourse.gplates.org/u/Arc)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [21 October 2020 00:38 UTC](https://discourse.gplates.org/t/support-ellipsoid-planet-sizes/203 "2020-10-21T00:38:05Z")

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Currently Earth’s size is defined properly in src/utils/Earth.cc as: const double GPlatesUtils::Earth::EQUATORIAL\_RADIUS\_KMS = 6378.137; const double GPlatesUtils::Earth::POLAR\_RADIUS\_KMS = 6356.7523142; const double …

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