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JackJJW
New Participant
February 8, 2023
Question

Creating a 'to scale' drawing for architecture

  • February 8, 2023
  • 3 replies
  • 5592 views

I'm trying out Indesign to see if I can create scale documents in it. 

Please can some help me to...

- set the in document measurement to metres, e.g scale 1:100 or 1:50

- I'm using an A3 document 

- so that I can draw a line, or instance, that is 10 metres long

Is there a proper way of doing this within InDesign? As opposed to just doing the working in my head. 

This topic has been closed for replies.

3 replies

Mike Witherell
Mike Witherell
Adobe Expert
February 9, 2023

Whereas InDesign's measurement system of rulers can be set to mm and cm, it cannot be set to Meters.

But you can do so in Adobe Illustrator!

Mike Witherell
James Gifford—NitroPress
James Gifford—NitroPress
Brainiac
February 9, 2023

Well, that's because the maximum value that could be used is about 5.5. Not terribly useful... 🙂

 

I have often worked at one pica per inch for large format stuff, though. Simple 1:6 ratio with no math required.

 

Peter Spier
Peter Spier
Adobe Expert
February 9, 2023

While I agree in genral with James on this, there's no real trick to doing scale drawings in InDesign if you chosse a ruler unit that scales appropriately and do a little math in your head.

For orders of 10 I would choose CM or MM as the ruler units. For inches-to-feet the math is a bit more complex, depending on the factor, but Picas and Points are helpful -- there are six picas per inch, and 12 points per pica.

    James Gifford—NitroPress
    James Gifford—NitroPress
    Brainiac
    February 8, 2023

    InDesign does not really have precision drawing tools or features. You can set a document grid to almost any scale you like, and basic shapes will snap to it, but overall the features are basic and simple. It's not really any substitute for a CAD program, or even a vector illustration tool like Illustrator, or even a "drawing" tool like Visio.

     

    Now, I've done simple technical illustrations in it, simply because I have a high degree of mastery and know what it can and cannot do, and sometimes it's just faster to whip out a few lines and shapes than it is to go to another tool. Such as—

     

     

    But overall, it's not really a recommended path. Do your layouts in another, more capable tool and import them.

     

    J
    JackJJWAuthor
    New Participant
    February 9, 2023

    Thank you, that's a shame there's no way to set the scale. I only want to create simple drawings like yours but that would make it a bit too tricky. Thanks for the advice, I'll go back to exploring the more dedicated software. 

    James Gifford—NitroPress
    James Gifford—NitroPress
    Brainiac
    February 9, 2023

    Don't take it as an absolute. Peter clarified a point I kind of glossed over — yes, you can set a document grid to any values you like, including something useful for scaled drawings. (Whether they will export or print with enough precision of scale is not something I'd bet on, if your intent is to print things like model part diagrams).

     

    But yes, you can do simple tech diagrams, and you can use a scaled grid if you choose. Just don't expect too much and aim for the very simple end of things.

     

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