Chapter 13 Visual Communication: Drawings, Renderings, and Models 429 Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. D E S I G N E R M A T H S K I L L S Reading and Using an Architectural Scale The manual tool of the trade used by designers to accurately and quickly determine scale is the architect scale. Similar to a ruler in length, this scale has a triangular shape with eleven different scales on three sides. It will be labeled architect. As you look at the architect scale, each side has scales in varying increments. Take a minute to become familiar with it. A twelve-inch ruler can be found on one side in addition to ten other scales. The number on each end of the tool indicates various proportional increments in 3/32, 3/16, 1/8, 1/4, 3/8, 3/4, 1/2, 1, 1/2, and 3 (Figure A). To use the tool correctly for a 1/4” scale drawing, locate the 1/4 label at the end of the scale. The 1/4 marking indicates the scale for measuring 1/4” = 1’-0”. On the opposite end of the same scale, the 1/8” scale can be found for measuring or creating drawings with a 1/8” scale (1/8” = 1’-0”). The two scales overlap and are read in opposite directions (read the 1/4” scale from right to left and the 1/8” scale from left to right). ■ To read the 1/4” scale, start with zero. Read the feet in increments of 2, 4, 6, and 8 from right to left ignoring the numbers increasing from left to right. Note that each of the marks to the right of zero on the 1/4” scale represents 1” (Figures A and B). ■ To read the 1/8” scale, start on the opposite end with zero and read the feet in increments of 4, 8, 12, and 16 from left to right ignoring the numbers increasing from right to left. Note that each of the marks to the left of zero on the 1/8” scale represents 2” (Figure A). Below the zero mark, notice that there is a scale used to measure inches. For example, if you are checking clearances on a commercial construction plan (1/8” scale) that reads 7’-8”, using the 1/8”align the 0 on the scale at point A and measure to 7’, placing a tick mark at that point. Then use the scale to the left of zero to accurately measure the remaining 8” (Figure A, left). If a designer is creating a space, he or she uses the increments in feet on the scale to mark the footage and then uses the scale to the right or left of zero to measure the remaining inches. Using an architect’s scale, a designer can quickly check the accuracy of construction or presentation drawings and also create scaled drawings anytime, anywhere. With a little practice, the scale is more convenient and accurate than graph paper. To make sure those viewing the design documents know the general scale of the drawing, the scale should be written below each drawing even if there are several drawings on one page. When indicating the scale it can appear as 1/4” = 1’-0” or as a ratio of 1/4”:1’-0”. Read the 1⁄8" scale from left to right. Read the 1⁄4" scale from right to left. Each mark to the left of 0 represents 2". Each mark to the right of 0 represents 1". Figure A Each mark represents 1" Each mark represents 1" Figure B