I noticed that there is sometimes confusion as to scaling of models, props and costumes. Scale is often a matter of perspective. Architects insist that they are the only ones to determine scale while cartographers laugh at the clumsy system.
There is something that is called a "universal standard". A unit of measure that is followed by the industry to avoid confusion. You cannot go out in the field where the contractor is using a different unit of measure than what was designed. Which is why no Architects use scales such as 1:3500 on an actual set of plans. The basic understanding that the unit of 1 is not equal to another unit of 1. 1mm is not equal to 1inch. You're opening yourself to a HUGE lawsuit if you do not define the units of measurement. 1/4" =1'-0" is LESS awkward and LESS confusing.
Since in the US we use Feet and inches when measuring everything, that's what's reflected on the plans. when the contractor has the plans in hand, he uses a ruler (referred to as an Architectural Scale) that has the units of conversion already converted and can measure the plans without the need to scale up/down anything or question which units to use. There's nothing clumsy about this system. Its about understanding the math behind it.
In drafting and architecture; a scale is set to a specific metric, i.e. 1" = 3' etc. This is clumsy and awkward since it requires the original drawing to be in hand to measure from as well as the specific ratio to be known.
As a Drafter myself, this metric of measurement again, isn't clumsy (ignoring that 1"=3' isn't a standard scale used) or awkward. It doesn't require the original drawing anymore than any other scale. The ratio is known as it is 1" = 3' (or 1:36). Not to mention anything that you are scaling requires it to exist in one form or another, whether its the actual plans in hand or the object in question itself.
In modelling (non-architectural) and cartography a simple ratio is used. All that is required from there is a set of the actual dimensions. 1:3500 means that 1 unit equals 3500 units of the same measurement. This allows for faster calculation and less confusion.
Actual dimensions are always required (and always provided). In modeling, or miniatures, the ratio 1:48 (for example) is used because we are dealing with customers world wide. it is a universal scale that doesn't apply a specific unit of measurement to it because, the conversion has already been done. What it means is, if you scale up the model 48 times it will be full scale, weather it be in mm or ft, it doesn't matter. Because when you take out your measuring tape and measure the length of the object the distance is constant. Ill measure 1", where as you may measure 25.4 mm.
But how do you scale something down to 1:48 that is full scale (or 1:1)?
For an architect; 1/4 scale is usually 1/48 the size of the original. This is awkward.
When You scale your 1:1 (full scale) item DOWN by 0.25 (ie 1/4) it is 1/4 the size of the original, not 1/48. What you mean is 1/4 scale of the original is equal to 1:48 ratio. Nothing Awkward about this, because if I want to scale it down to 1/4 scale I have to divide it by 0.25. If I want to scale it up I multiply it by 48 (ie 1:48). This is why one says that 1/4 scale is equal to 1:48.
For general modelling purposes; 1/4 scale is 1/4 of 100% size. Simpler and easier. The metric used is irrelevant since any standardized system works for scaling. 1/4 in Metric is the same ize in English Imperial or French Imperial or whatever.
I hope this helps.
Exactly. Since architects work in feet, that's where 1/4" = 1'-0" comes in. it's exactly the same as saying quarter scale or 1:48 scale. it means the plans (or model) is 1/4 the size of 1 (1 foot representing full scale in this case).
That said, it's the difference between scaling something UP and scaling something down. If I had Architectural Plan set that was drawn in 1/4 scale (1/4" = 1'0") I would have to increase the scale 48 times to be full scale. But how would someone know to multiply it up 48 times?
Simple: since we are working in units of inches we convert the foot into inches (1 foot = 12 inches or 1/12) then we multiply the fractions together: 1/4 x 1/12 = 1/48 or 1:48 scale
other examples:
1/2" = 1'-0" is the same as 1:24 (1/2 x 1/12 = 1/24 & reverse is 1/24 divide 1/12=1/2)
1" = 1'-0" is the same as 1:12 (12/12 x 1/12 = 1/12 & reverse is 1/12 divide 1/12 = 1)
and so on.
In the end, the scales used are identical. they are just written out differently. There is a mathematical conversion that is applied for this conversion. The "insistence" from Architects/Engineers in using one form over another is to avoid lawsuits, confusion, and to ensure its built correctly the first time. Those who laugh or mock this "system" are focused more on the precision of using inches vs mm. When you need something with a 0.0001 micron of precision, no you don't want to use feet or inches as your scale.
Understanding scale is understanding fractions, ratios, mathematics and units of measure. Applying scale to a model that may not have one is using a universal metric, IE Humans. In modeling scales the standard human male is 6 feet. when you scale down a human and fit them into your diorama, ship, tank, etc. this is the approximate scale of your model. This is how the X-Wings and TIE Fighters where given a scale. The pilots were a known scale of 1/25. Thus concluding the ships themselves must also be 1/25.
