CAD scale factors are indispensable tools in design and drafting, enabling accurate representation of objects and spaces. Mastering the calculation of these factors is essential for maintaining accuracy in your AutoCAD drawings, as it enables proper scaling of elements and ensures your designs are represented as intended.
To ensure simplicity and clarity, CAD users typically create drawings of buildings at their actual, full scale. For example, if drawing a window in CAD, it could be represented as 2 feet wide and 4 feet tall. However, since these drawings are ultimately printed on smaller sheets of paper, a scale factor is necessary to produce a usable conversion ratio in the final drawing.
In essence, the scale factor represents the relationship between the units in our printed output and the units used in our drawing. Calculating the scale factor can be done using simple formulas, allowing for precise adjustments.
What are CAD scale factors?
The scale of a drawing can be described and applied in various ways, depending on factors such as the measurement system (metric or imperial), the inclusion or exclusion of units, and the format of the ratio (1:n or n:1).
The specific convention used relies on the standards of your country, the profession (architecture or engineering), and the context of the drawing (detail or site plan).
However, despite the differences in notation, the principles governing scaled drawings remain the same. Computer-Aided Design (CAD) simplifies and streamlines the process of working with different scales and generating drawings at various sizes through the utilization of CAD scale factors, provided you have a grasp of their application.
Presently, design work is typically conducted at full scale, where digital designs represent life-sized objects. Nevertheless, full-scale drawings are often impractical outside of specialized CAD software like AutoCAD or Vectorworks.
When it comes to presenting our ideas on paper or screens, our drawings must effectively communicate our concepts at legible and manageable scales for clients, builders, and colleagues.
This article focuses on both imperial and metric architectural scales to enable you to seamlessly transition between them using CAD scale factors …a valuable skill in our increasingly interdisciplinary and globalized profession.
Calculating CAD scale factors
In the provided charts below, you will observe that the Viewport Scale is indicated with the suffix XP. This suffix is AutoCAD’s terminology for adjusting the scale within a viewport.
For example, while working in paper space on a sheet, you would enter model space within the viewport and then use the Z or Zoom command followed by entering 96xp to scale the drawing to 1/8″ = 1′-0″ in paper space.
Autodesk explains this process as follows: “When accessing model space from within a layout viewport, you can modify the view scale of the viewport by utilizing the XP option of the ZOOM command
To convert an architectural drawing scale to a scale factor:
- Select the desired scale. 1/8″ = 1′-0″
- Invert the fraction and multiply by 12. 8/1 x 12 = Scale Factor 96
To convert an engineering drawing scale to a scale factor:
- Select the desired scale. 1″ = 20′
- Multiply the feet by 12. 20 x 12 = Scale Factor 240
Standard imperial architectural CAD scale factors
| DRAWING SCALE | SCALE FACTOR | VIEWPORT SCALE | DECIMAL SCALE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/16″ = 1′-0″ | 192 | 1/192xp | 0.0625″ = 1′-0″ |
| 3/32″ = 1′-0″ | 128 | 1/128xp | 0.09375″ = 1′-0″ |
| 1/8″ = 1′-0″ | 96 | 1/96xp | 0.125″ = 1′-0″ |
| 3/16″ = 1′-0″ | 64 | 1/64xp | 0.1875″ = 1′-0″ |
| 1/4″ = 1′-0″ | 48 | 1/48xp | 0.25″ = 1′-0″ |
| 3/8″ = 1′-0″ | 32 | 1/32xp | 0.375″ = 1′-0″ |
| 1/2″ = 1′-0″ | 24 | 1/24xp | 0.50″ = 1′-0″ |
| 3/4″ = 1′-0″ | 16 | 1/16xp | 0.75″ = 1′-0″ |
| 1″ = 1′-0″ | 12 | 1/12xp | 1″ = 1′-0″ |
| 1 1/2″ = 1′-0″ | 8 | 1/8xp | 1.5″ = 1′-0″ |
| 3″ = 1′-0″ | 4 | 1/4xp | 3″ = 1′-0″ |
Please note that “xp” in the VIEWPORT SCALE column represents the AutoCAD nomenclature for the viewport scale suffix.
Download autocad scale factor chart as pdf
Standard metric architectural CAD scale factors
| DRAWING SCALE | SCALE FACTOR | VIEWPORT SCALE |
|---|---|---|
| 1:50 | 50 | 1/50xp |
| 1:100 | 100 | 1/100xp |
| 1:200 | 200 | 1/200xp |
| 1:500 | 500 | 1/500xp |
| 1:1000 | 1000 | 1/1000xp |
| 1:2000 | 2000 | 1/2000xp |
| 1:5000 | 5000 | 1/5000xp |
| 1:10000 | 10000 | 1/10000xp |
| 1:20000 | 20000 | 1/20000xp |
| 1:50000 | 50000 | 1/50000xp |
Please note that “xp” in the VIEWPORT SCALE column represents the AutoCAD nomenclature for the viewport scale suffix.
Standard engineering CAD scale factors
| DRAWING SCALE | SCALE FACTOR | VIEWPORT SCALE |
|---|---|---|
| 1″ = 10′-0″ | 120 | 1/120xp |
| 1″ = 20′-0″ | 240 | 1/240xp |
| 1″ = 30′-0″ | 360 | 1/360xp |
| 1″ = 40′-0″ | 480 | 1/480xp |
| 1″ = 50′-0″ | 600 | 1/600xp |
| 1″ = 60′-0″ | 720 | 1/720xp |
| 1″ = 70′-0″ | 840 | 1/840xp |
| 1″ = 80′-0″ | 960 | 1/960xp |
| 1″ = 90′-0″ | 1080 | 1/1080xp |
| 1″ = 100′-0″ | 1200 | 1/1200xp |
Please note that “xp” in the VIEWPORT SCALE column represents the AutoCAD nomenclature for the viewport scale suffix.
Download autocad scale factor chart as pdf
Metric and engineering scales
Metric scales differ in that they can effectively eliminate the need for units due to the base 10 system of metric measurements. For example, 1 meter is equal to 10 decimeters, 100 centimeters, or 1000 millimeters.
Therefore, metric scales can be represented as unit-less scale factors (e.g., 1:50) since the conversions between metric lengths are all based on factors of 10. A metric drawing will indicate both its scale factor and the unit in which it was drawn.
It is important to note that the numbers on each side of the ratio in a metric scale represent the same unit.
Imperial engineering scales operate similarly to imperial architectural scales, but their notation conventions differ slightly. Engineering scales might be expressed as 1″=20′ or another multiple of 10 feet. This is partly because decimal inches are often used in engineering scales instead of fractional inches. The following section provides a reference for common imperial engineering scales.
Scale factor vs scale
A scale factor represents the ratio of change between a drawing and real-life dimensions. Typically, it is a unit-less value. For instance, a scale factor of 48 (or 1:48) indicates that one unit on the drawing represents 48 of the same units in real life.
In contrast, an imperial scale is expressed as a ratio of inches-to-the-foot. Due to conventions and the nature of imperial units, it is often more meaningful to convey that a certain measurement on the page corresponds to a specific length in real life. For example, (¼”=1’) denotes that a quarter of an inch on the drawing represents one foot in reality.
Despite their different notations, the two examples mentioned above could describe the same drawing. In our example, 1:48 implies that 1 inch on the drawing is equivalent to 48 inches on the ground, which can also be expressed as 1 inch equals 4 feet (1”=4’). Essentially, both notations convey the same idea: the drawing is 48 times smaller than real life.
So, why is there a distinction? A scale factor proves more useful for calculating measurements across different scales. It eliminates the need to worry about units, facilitates calculations using calculators, and integrates smoothly with CAD software.
On the other hand, the conventional notation for imperial scale stems from the era of manual drafting and the use of scale rulers. This notation has persisted in our field and remains the most practical way to quickly dimension a scaled drawing in print.
…To sum up
In conclusion, understanding and applying scale factors are essential skills when working with CAD (Computer-Aided Design) drawings. Whether using imperial or metric units, the scale factor determines the relationship between the size of objects in the drawing and their real-world dimensions. By appropriately adjusting the viewport scale or utilizing the XP option in AutoCAD’s ZOOM command, designers can effectively represent their designs on smaller sheets of paper while maintaining accuracy and legibility.
CAD scale factors allow for seamless transitions between scales, enabling designers to create drawings that are easily comprehensible to clients, builders, and colleagues. Whether working in architecture, engineering, or other related fields, mastering the use of scale factors is crucial for communicating design ideas effectively.
While this discussion focused on both imperial and metric units, it is important for professionals to familiarize themselves with the specific scales and conventions relevant to their discipline and geographic region. With the ever-increasing interdisciplinary and global nature of the profession, adaptability and fluency in various scale systems and CAD tools will prove invaluable for navigating the demands of modern design practices.
FAQ’s about CAD scale factors
What are the scale standards in CAD?
In Computer-Aided Design (CAD), scale standards are used to represent real-world objects and environments accurately on a digital platform. These standards ensure that the dimensions and proportions of the CAD model are consistent with the intended physical representation.
The scale is typically expressed as a ratio, indicating the relationship between the size of the CAD drawing and the actual size of the object.
The most common scale standards used in CAD include:
- Full Scale (1:1): This scale represents the CAD model in its actual size. Each unit in the CAD drawing corresponds to one unit of measurement in the real world. It is often used for detailed drawings and when the actual size of the object is critical.
- Architectural Scales: Architectural drawings are typically represented using imperial units (inches or feet). Common architectural scales include:
- 1/8″ = 1′ (1:96): One inch on the drawing represents eight feet in the real world.
- 1/4″ = 1′ (1:48): One inch on the drawing represents four feet in the real world.
- 1/2″ = 1′ (1:24): One inch on the drawing represents two feet in the real world.
- Engineering Scales: Engineering drawings often use metric units (millimeters or meters). Common engineering scales include:
- 1:10: One unit on the drawing represents ten units in the real world.
- 1:50: One unit on the drawing represents fifty units in the real world.
- 1:100: One unit on the drawing represents one hundred units in the real world.
It’s important to note that these scales are not exhaustive, and different industries and projects may require specific scales based on their requirements. Additionally, CAD software often provides tools to adjust the scale and customize it as needed for specific drawings or projects.
