Since we were (trying to) keep DITA 1.1 minimal so that we could
get it out sooner, we passed on adding a scale-to-fit capability
to DITA graphics (the image element).
Our customers are needing such a capability--to the point that we
will probably have to provide it in a non-standard way for the time
being--so I'd like to see it considered for DITA 1.2.
Background (can be skipped)
---------------------------
Graphic sizing is always complex and generally misunderstood. HTML
(and CSS's) (mis-)handling only exacerbates the issue. XSL-FO has
the full range, but in a way that requires attributes with odd data
types (e.g., sizes, percentages, and enumerated values all in one
attribute).
One relatively complete (but not necessarily the clearest) discussion
is one related to DocBook (but built on CALS concepts) at
http://docbook.org/tdg/en/html/imagedata.html
(Note that DITA's width and height attributes correspond to DocBook's
width and depth attributes [and CALS' reprowid and reprodep attributes];
DITA has no attributes corresponding to DocBook's contentwidth and
contentdepth as described in the above referenced web page.)
I wrote about graphic sizing previously at
http://lists.oasis-open.org/archives/dita/200601/msg00025.html
DITA 1.2 Enhancement request
----------------------------
The current user requirement is to allow a user to request
that an image be scaled to fit within the "available space".
The simplest way to accomplish this given what we have to date is to
add a "scalefit" attribute properly defined. This matches what CALS
has done for decades and is a subset of what the latest DocBook does.
Adding the scalefit attribute, the sizing attributes for image would be: