Lead Adventure Forum
Other Stuff => Workbench => Topic started by: Daeothar on November 15, 2011, 06:40:34 PM
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Are you tired of standing in the toy store or cheap outlet with a potentially suitable tank for your army in your hand, and not knowing whether it is the right scale? Are you fed up with inaccurately advertized scales that make you come home with ridiculously oversized houses or vehicles for your games? Then this might be the product for you!
Brought to you by Daeothar Entertainment, now there is the Pocket-Scale-O-Meter! Yes; the Pocket-Scale-O-Meter.
It's a scale meter and handy measuring device that fits right into your pocket or even wallet. Printed out on cheaply available transparency film commonly used for overhead projectors and maybe even laminated for extra sturdiness, this innovative product will rapidly prove to be an indispensible tool for all your miniature and wargaming purchasing sprees.
Let me demonstrate how easy the Pocket-Scale-O-Meter is to use. Just imagine you're browsing your favourite cheap toy store and spotting that perfectly formed armoured vehicle, that would go so well with your Galactic Defenders from Mars. But wait a minute... It looks about the right scale, but is it really? There is no scale mentioned on the cardboard box and there is strict no return policy in this store. So here, see; I whip out my wallet, easily select the Pocket-Scale-O-Meter, that is conveniently sized exactly like a credit card for perfect storage in my wallet's credit card compartment, deploy the device alongside the toy box and presto!
With one look, I can establish whether or not this cheap and desirable toy is a match for my miniatures. See; there is a scale division on the right hand side, telling you how tall the toy is in your favourite scale. Mine's 1/56 in this particular case.
Also note the (almost, nearly) patented Base-O-Vision area just below the, equally accurately scaled, horizontal scale division. It accurately displays two of the most popular base sizes - 25mm Round and 30mm Round & Lipped - so an easy slide of the Scale-O-Meter will tell me if the toy will still look good beside properly based miniatures.
The horizontal bar and the Base-O-Vision system also allows you to measure the suitability of doors, gantries or other areas a miniature needs to be moved through, so you do not end up with miniatures balanced on side rails, or moved sideways through door openings, because the base doesn't fit through.
The selected miniature is an image of a readily available and suitably common miniature that provides a nice average humanoid silhouette with which to judge the appropriateness of your intended purchase.
Of course, this image can be changed at your leasure, to depict your own favourite miniature you wish to compare against. The options are limitless!
So, help yourself to this must have piece of miniature purchasing equipment. Allow yourself the luxury of this easy to use tool and never arrive home with new purchases to disappointment and frustration on the tabletop. It is available now and best of all; it is free!
Yes; completely free for you to snag and print and use where ever you like. And depending on the demand and suggestions, we at Daeothar Entertainment might venture into different scales as well, allowing you to easily browse for any scale you fancy. Imagine getting those 15mm houses you so desire, or those 20mm tanks that could be so cheap. You can have it all, with Daeothar Entertainment's Pocket-Scale-O-Meter!
Get yours today. :D
(http://www.fierylions.nl/Pictures/ForumPictures/OtherSystems/Pocket-Scale-O-Meter/Pocket-Scale-O-Meter.png)
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As you say; handy. Would be even better if there was a cut-out slot at the base area, so when looking at a based mini I could insert the base into the slot, such that the mini itself ended up butting against the card. (I wonder if that made any sense?)
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hmm time to get printing and laminating at work !!!!
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I thought of having a similar sort of thing in my wallet. But this one is so much better than what I wanted to do. Very nice idea. Thanks for sharing yours.
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Super, many thanks!!!
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Thanks guys. As goes for everyone, there are too few hours to spend as hobby time, but I will try do a few more in the near future. Any preferences for different scales?
Also, I will try to get a few 'in action' shots up as soon as possible.
As you say; handy. Would be even better if there was a cut-out slot at the base area, so when looking at a based mini I could insert the base into the slot, such that the mini itself ended up butting against the card. (I wonder if that made any sense?)
It actually does; don't worry (even though I had to read it twice :P ). What you suggest is more of use for measuring miniatures against eachother, which is a purpose enchroaching on the fabulous, world famous and stickied Scale-O-Matic. But then in a live environment, so to speak.
I suppose you could take a sharp scalpel to the finished, laminated product and cut out the base area easily. Only problem I see with that is that some miniatures could have basing stuffs poking out over the base's top surface, thus requiring you to enlarge the base shaped hole in the Scale-O-Meter...
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Looking forward to the 15mm one next....
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Hmmm, very handy that! A Workbench Moderators Gold Star to you, m'boy!
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It is interesting how many LAFers consider Copplestone the norm for 28mm miniature size.
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Well - Copplestone minis are pretty much of the 'modern' size (not quite 'heroic' scale, but large-ish). Lots of variation to be found in different ranges, though...
One question? How do I force that pic to be printed at the intended size? If I insert it in Word, it becomes slightly smaller (a ruler reveals that, 7.2 cm becomes 6.85), and if I open the pic and print it using windows, it becomes almost twice as big....
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Very useful idea.
Thank you.
And your blurb made me chuckle!
lol
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A very interesting concept!
Would anyone be interested in a laser cut plastic version.
Assuming Daeothar doesn't mind :D
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A very interesting concept!
Would anyone be interested in a laser cut plastic version.
Assuming Daeothar doesn't mind :D
I would, depending on price of course.
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I find myself rather intrigued by this simple but brilliant idea. I have however one minor suggestion to improve the thing. Having the sales right at the edges would make comparison easier and more exact.
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I find myself rather intrigued by this simple but brilliant idea. I have however one minor suggestion to improve the thing. Having the sales right at the edges would make comparison easier and more exact.
That can easily be done with some image software... I think... (my recent succes rate when dealing with graphics might contradict that statement..)
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It is interesting how many LAFers consider Copplestone the norm for 28mm miniature size.
Isn't it? And then to imagine that it's only been a couple of months ago that I aquired my first non-GW miniatures. Judging by the Scale-O-Matic's results though, they seem to be the perfect middleground when it comes to scale. I picked this particular one simply because my assortment of non-GW miniatures is still rather limited and it was the most generic one in my possession. Also, it was standing up reasonably straight, which helps...
How do I force that pic to be printed at the intended size? If I insert it in Word, it becomes slightly smaller (a ruler reveals that, 7.2 cm becomes 6.85), and if I open the pic and print it using windows, it becomes almost twice as big....
I created this picture in Photoshop, which allows many printing options and printing it true size is actually the default setting.
What I suggest in your case is using the standard Microsoft Office Picture Manager. I believe this will allow you to print pictures at their actual size. Failing that, I suppose any graphical editing software (including free ones) would allow you to do the same. It would probably a chore to size a picture correctly using Word, which is not designed to do so.
The provided JPG is exactly the right size though.
Would anyone be interested in a laser cut plastic version?
I would! :D And that immediately answers your other question... ;)
Having the sales right at the edges would make comparison easier and more exact.
Good call; I will make the suggested changes as soon as possible and post that version.
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GIMP did the job - after I slapped it 'round a bit. Not the easiest interface, but, heck, it's free...
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As promised, an updated version, with the scales right along the edge.
I also added 1/2 meter marks. Just because I could... :D
(http://www.fierylions.nl/Pictures/ForumPictures/OtherSystems/Pocket-Scale-O-Meter/Pocket-Scale-O-meter2.png)
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A very interesting concept!
Would anyone be interested in a laser cut plastic version.
Assuming Daeothar doesn't mind :D
Depends on price.
Maybe Mark Copplestone would sponsor a batch?
Museum Miniatures had a batch of plastic business cards a few years ago made as "arc of fire" templates/protractors.
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How handy!
My wife made a similar device for me a few years back (5?) and I have used it a fair few times. It has rectangles to the height of each of the miniature sizes I used then (6mm, 10mm, 15mm, 28mm, and 54mm), a 25mm base, as well as a standard ruler.
Yours, with the scale ruler, the miniature profile, and the side view of the base is very helpful as well, and I wonder if the two ideas could be combined...
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I am considering bringing out my photo-etch kit to make a Steampunk version...
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How handy!
My wife made a similar device for me a few years back (5?) and I have used it a fair few times. It has rectangles to the height of each of the miniature sizes I used then (6mm, 10mm, 15mm, 28mm, and 54mm), a 25mm base, as well as a standard ruler.
Yours, with the scale ruler, the miniature profile, and the side view of the base is very helpful as well, and I wonder if the two ideas could be combined...
The initial idea actually was to make one version for each scale and then attach them together, much like those colour sample things you see at paint stores. You know; the stack of coloured strips that you can fan out. I was thinking to have three or four scales attached like that, so it wouldn't be too thick and would still fit into a credit card slot in my wallet.
The point of the thing is, to always have it with me, so any unexpected prize find can be measured. After all; you never know where the next treasure is to be found... ;)
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The point of the thing is, to always have it with me, so any unexpected prize find can be measured. After all; you never know where the next treasure is to be found... ;)
My thought exactly... I've often stood stooping over a crate of cheap toys on sale, wondering whether this or that thingy would work for gaming... lol
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Depends on price.
Maybe Mark Copplestone would sponsor a batch?
Museum Miniatures had a batch of plastic business cards a few years ago made as "arc of fire" templates/protractors.
Why not approach Alex, it could then be the Official Lead Adventure Scale O Meter... With suitable LAf decoration..... PERFECT Christmas present!
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Why not approach Alex, it could then be the Official Lead Adventure Scale O Meter... With suitable LAf decoration..... PERFECT Christmas present!
I don't have the contacts, but I'm more than happy to work with someone and turn this project all the way up to eleven to lift it out of the DIY realm.
No problem on prettification in whatever theme is preferred either; you name it, I'll (photo)shop it... :D
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Just PM the Prof!
He runs this show....
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Well, just out of curiosity, I've been exploring the possibilities for getting these things produced and basically, using a business card company that also does transparent plastics seems the way to go.
They all seem to do a credit card sized transparent one, with rounded corners and UV plus rubbing resistant printing. Now all I need to do is find one that does batches smaller than 500 pieces. I'd prefer going with 50 at first, even when they're relatively more expensive, just to see if there is any interest at all before investing any real money into them. I'd probably ship them out at a little over cost plus P&P. So think about € 2,00 (GBP 1,75) a piece plus P&P, give or take (this is just a rough estimate of course).
So; would anyone be interested in getting one? be aware though, that this means one (1) print. So no different scales, although I have some ideas to incorporate several scales into one card. But this means a total redesign, which I'm happy to do, but then I'd also need to know which scales would be most popular. I'm thinking 28mm and 15mm for starters?
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The transparent business card sounds ideal.
Personally I would drop the photo of the figure, maybe add in a generic stickman or silhouette.
Add two or three rulers, for standard sizes or scales. 28mm-1/58. 18mm-1/100.
I would probably add in 32mm-1/54, as between 28mm and 32mm most folk should be able to get a good idea of their own collections and what would fit with them...
18mm would seem more popular now than the older 15mm standard (15mm is like 25mm fairly redundant now...).
btw you could count me in for one, even though I will probably design something similar for my laser cut template range. I was already planning a scale rule of sorts...
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I did something very similar years ago, but I found that just the shilouette wasn't always enough.
You get height, but I couldn't get a real "feel" for the item or scale.
In the end I find it easier to just keep a mini for each scale I play in my pocket. so now all my coats and briefcase have minitures stuck in 'em.
Hopefully you will find the card more effective than I.
I dig the transparent idea, that might have helped.
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I'd buy one for certain, two if allowed. One for the wife's purse, as she is well-trained in spotting potential treasures now too.
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It's... Alive!! :o
Yesterday, I received a PM from a LAF member, inquiring about my Pocket Scale-O-Meter. I had almost forgotten about it myself (even though I have had a well used version in my wallet since I started this topic back in 2011 ;) ).
Apparently, I posted a shot of the actual thing (http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=62953.0) a couple of years ago, but the design had evolved since the introduction, now showing 28mm and 15mm scales. So he asked me for that design.
Digging into my files, I was appalled by the fact that I was unable to find the corresponding .PSD file, but then I discovered that I had changed the design over from Photoshop to Illustrator, and I was looking for the wrong file type... ::)
So, here is the final design, for your pleasure. This is a .PNG file, so it has transparency. Just print it at 100%, as it is sized exactly right.
I hope it'll help you in the acquisition of many toys, bits and bobs, all perfectly scaled... :D
(http://www.fierylions.nl/Pictures/ForumPictures/Other/Pocket-Scale-O-Meter%20WIP.png)
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I've been carrying a similar (scratch built) scale card in my wallet for years.
It was or used to be a transparent ruler for a Filofax.
Never leave home without it.
I also carry swatches of some of my favourite Games Workshop colours (Snakebite Leather being one).
Again - never leave home without it.
Tony
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Thanks a lot!!
That is exactly what I needed
I used to carry 15mm miniature as a keychain but they tend to snap bases and being lost after couple months.
28mm are too large anyway.
This I will fit into wallet nicely!
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what's this "m" in the vertical dimension? People are measured in feet.
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Only vertically insecure colonists still do that... ;D
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A very interesting concept!
Would anyone be interested in a laser cut plastic version.
Assuming Daeothar doesn't mind :D
Me, too. I'd buy a 15mm and 20mm Version, too. Just keep P&P low.
Sorry, I only now realised, that this thread is prett old. Will get out the printer and make one myself.
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I'm not adverse at all to having it lasercut, as long as the design and © references remains the same. 8)
In fact; that may be the best way to go; I thought about having them done by a business card service, but it looks as if they are too imprecise in their printing process, and one mm of difference would make the whole thing useless for our purposes.
Of course I'd be happy to add a 20mm version to the range too.
And P&P would be very cheap indeed, considering it could be sent by regular mail (unless you buy, like, a hundred of them lol )...