1. What is the Scale Factor in AutoCAD?

The scale factor (k) in AutoCAD is the ratio between the new dimension and the original dimension when scaling objects. It's a unitless value that determines how much an object should be enlarged or reduced.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the scale factor formula:

Where:

• \( k \) — Scale factor (unitless)
• \( \text{new\_dim} \) — Desired dimension after scaling
• \( \text{old\_dim} \) — Original dimension before scaling

Explanation: The scale factor is simply the ratio between the new size and the original size of an object.

3. Importance of Scale Factor

Details: Accurate scaling is crucial for maintaining proportions in technical drawings, architectural plans, and engineering designs. The scale factor ensures all dimensions change proportionally.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter both the original dimension and the desired new dimension in the same units. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does a scale factor of 1 mean?
A: A scale factor of 1 means no scaling - the object remains the same size.

Q2: What's the difference between scale factor and actual scale?
A: Scale factor is a direct ratio, while scale is often expressed as a ratio (e.g., 1:100) where the first number represents the drawing and the second the actual object.

Q3: How do I scale an entire drawing in AutoCAD?
A: Use the SCALE command, select all objects, specify a base point, and enter the scale factor.

Q4: Can I use this for 3D objects?
A: Yes, the scale factor applies uniformly in all dimensions unless you specify non-uniform scaling.

Q5: What if my scale factor is less than 1?
A: A scale factor less than 1 reduces the object's size (e.g., 0.5 makes it half the original size).