2004

106 | Chapter 9 Specify Units, Angles, and Scale
Example
The sample architectural scale ratios in the table can be used to calculate text
sizes in model space.
If you are working in metric units, you might have a sheet size of 210 x 297
mm (A4 size) and a scale factor of 20. You calculate drawing limits as follows:
210 ➤ 20 = 4200 mm
297 ➤ 20 = 5900 mm
Once you establish the scale factor, you can use it to set text height, dimen-
sion sizes, linetype scale, hatch pattern scale, and viewport scale. When the
drawing is complete, you can plot it at any scale, or you can plot different
views of your model at different scales.
Apply Scale Factors
You set values for the following elements depending on whether you intend
to plot from model space or from a layout in paper space.
■ Text. Set the text height as you create text or by setting a fixed text height
in the text style (
STYLE). The text height for text plotted from model space
should be multiplied by the scale factor. Text created directly on a layout
should be set to true size (1:1).
■ Dimensions. Set the dimension scale in a dimension style (DIMSTYLE) or
with the
DIMSCALE system variable. Dimensions created directly on a
layout should be set to true size (1:1).
Scale Scale factor To plot text
size at
Set drawing text
size to
1/8" = 1'-0" 96 1/8" 12"
3/16" = 1'-0" 64 1/8" 8"
1/4" = 1'-0" 48 1/8" 6"
3/8" = 1'-0" 32 1/8" 4"
1/2" = 1'-0" 24 1/8" 3"
3/4" = 1'-0" 16 1/8" 2"
1" = 1'-0" 12 1/8" 1.5"
1 1/2" = 1'-0" 8 1/8" 1.0"