Below are the most common scales found on the triangular architect's scale with their approximate metric equivalent in parentheses:
The scales are designed to measure feet, inches, and fractions of an inch. For example, if one end is a 1/8-inch scale, the opposite end is a 1/4-inch scale the opposite end of a 1 1/2-inch scale would be a 3-inch scale. Likewise, a scale is usually either half or double that of the scale it is paired with. Length of the instrument: one is read from left to right and the other from right to left. DIAMETRAL DIMENSION Figure 4.3 A drawing with examples of diametral and radial dimensions. Figure 4.1 shows slashes at the endpoints, and Figure 3.8C shows dots at its end points.
Each of these scales uses the full Figure 4.2B A drawing showing dimension lines terminating at the extension lines with arrows at the endpoints. All three sides of the triangle scale (except those with a 12- inch scale) contain two scales on each usable surface. Architectural scales are normally flat or triangular in shape and come in different lengths, the 12-inch (30-cm) triangular shape being the most popular.
