Scale Models Key Terms

Build on your knowledge with scale model terminology

By B. Lumadue

Scale models are used in several industries. Real estate professionals, architects and planners use scale models to represent buildings and locations. Craft stores and hobby stores sell components of models, or may use models as a backdrop for other products. Hobbyists and other sales people use scale models as part of exhibits and displays. Get to know some of the key terminology used in scale models to find the right items to sell or use.

Model vehicles

Model cars and other vehicles have been valued by hobbyists and collectors for decades. Model cars are available assembled or in kits to be assembled. Quality model cars are true miniature replicas of the originals in shape and detail. Besides being collected, model cars also have a place in train layouts and other large layouts depicting streets or areas.
Try: Toy Wonders offers model vehicles for sale and provides an overview of model car description and scale.

Model railroading

Model railroading is a popular hobby. Besides collecting scale models of trains, model railroad hobbyists construct scenery and backgrounds. Layouts are often large and extremely detailed.
Try: The National Model Railroad Association provides information about scale in model railroading, as well as layouts.

Laser cutting

Laser cutting is used to cut patterns in wood, metal and plastic. It offers strength and accuracy that is unmatched by other cutting methods, making it perfect for detailed modeling work.
Try: Find a thorough definition of laser cutting, including how it works, at wiseGEEK.

Architectural models

Architectural models can be used to present buildings and areas to clients or the public. They can be used for educational purposes -- to show where buildings are located -- or as a sales tool. Professional model makers use advanced technology to assemble high quality, accurate models.
Try: The firm Architectural Models offers an overview of architectural models, examples of how they are used, and links to completed models.

Scale

There are many standard scales in use in different hobby fields. For example, dollhouses and some miniature cars use 1/12 scale; HO is a model railroading scale that is roughly one half of 0 scale, or approximately 1:87. Scale is usually demonstrated as one unit of the model to the number of units in the actual item -- so 1/12 scale means that a real item that is one foot tall is represented as a miniature one inch tall.
Try: The Miniatures Page features a list of scale model ratios and gauges. The Great Lakes Modeling Association gives details about how to reduce items to the proper scale.

Topographic modeling

Topographic modeling produces life-like models of an area's topography, including hills, mountains and other elevations, bodies of water, landscapes and other physical features.
Try: The Visualizing Earth website from the University of California explains topographic modeling and gives details and instructions for creating topographic models.