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Random conundrum of the day
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Author:  elsmore01 [ Sun Oct 27, 2019 1:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Random conundrum of the day
Ok, here's something I've been mulling over. What universally recognised object that is always the same size could be used to illustrate the scale of miniatures? It's pertinent to Epic as people often don't realise how small they are. I've used / have seen people use a variety of items, but nothing is quite perfect:

Coins - I use a penny, but non Brits won't necessarily know how big that is.
Matches - These not all the same size.
AA battery - Good, but too big, and definitely too big for 6mm.
Coke can - As above.

Items I've thought about using:
An M&M sweet - Not sure if these are always the same size or whether they are universal, though.
SD Card - Good, but technology moves so fast it could be obsolete in a couple of years.

So, obviously not the most important thing one could spend time thinking about, but It's a fun little conundrum. Anyone have any suggestions?
Author:  Vaaish [ Sun Oct 27, 2019 5:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Random conundrum of the day
You could keep a finger visible or maybe a pencil or a ruler. Not universally identical but should help.
Author:  rubberlizard [ Sun Oct 27, 2019 5:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Random conundrum of the day
Agree on the coin, not good untill we get a one world government.
Finger is not good eather, bodyparts can vary alot.
Liked the pencil.

I have used a zippolighter, 4a papir and spaghetti before. Last one is not perfect, comes in too many different sizes. Maybe peppercorn or beerbottle?
Author:  semajnollissor [ Sun Oct 27, 2019 6:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Random conundrum of the day
A 2x4 LEGO brick. Make sure that the tops of the studs are visible, so people know it’s not a duplo brick.
Author:  elsmore01 [ Sun Oct 27, 2019 10:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Random conundrum of the day
Agree on the finger, big variation though it does put the viewer in the right ball park. The Lego idea is inspired! I wonder how close a non-Lego user would get to estimating the size of such a brick..


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Author:  malika2 [ Mon Oct 28, 2019 9:23 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Random conundrum of the day
what about a tiny ruler?
Author:  elsmore01 [ Mon Oct 28, 2019 10:57 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Random conundrum of the day
The ruler idea would give the most accurate idea of scale, but I believe that idea would be arrived at via computation in the brain, rather than reflex action, which I think has more impact. For example, I see a mini ruler with a scale of say 5cm, and I see the model next to it. I look at both and my brain says 'ok, that model is 6mm tall'. But, if I put a Lego brick / M&M next to a model, I look at both, and my brain says 'shit, that model is small!' :P

Also, I guess you'd have to show 2 scales - metric and imperial.
Author:  Apocolocyntosis [ Wed Oct 30, 2019 11:42 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Random conundrum of the day
instead of finger, could have end of a biro.
ok pens come in different sizes, but a regular biro kinda thing is a pretty good scale indicator.
pot of paint from a main brand most hobbyists know could also work in background (too big, but evne cut-off shows scale)
Author:  jimmyzimms [ Wed Oct 30, 2019 12:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Random conundrum of the day
Apocolocyntosis wrote:
instead of finger, could have end of a biro.
ok pens come in different sizes, but a regular biro kinda thing is a pretty good scale indicator.
pot of paint from a main brand most hobbyists know could also work in background (too big, but evne cut-off shows scale)


Could work. I'd leverage a reaper style bottle considering the number of companies that have standardized around them (or bottles so close as to not matter). GW pots come in 3 different sizes today right now on their website so less effective (also outside of GW games their paints are not much used)

Personally I think a ruler is best. Everyone has a ruler or immediate access to it and a centimeter is centimeter (expect in the US which uses fake measurements and we don't care much for them anyways ;) )
Author:  rubberlizard [ Wed Oct 30, 2019 9:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Random conundrum of the day
Apocolocyntosis wrote:
instead of finger, could have end of a biro.
ok pens come in different sizes, but a regular biro kinda thing is a pretty good scale indicator.
pot of paint from a main brand most hobbyists know could also work in background (too big, but evne cut-off shows scale)


Great example, never heard the term biro before. But still good idea.
Author:  elsmore01 [ Thu Oct 31, 2019 9:16 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Random conundrum of the day
I like the biro idea - the tip would be pretty constant in size, and universally recognised. Ideally, I want something to fit in the frame completely. I'm convinced the most impact can had by using something that is already considered small, and allow viewers to come to the conclusion that the epic model must be tiny - "damn, that model is smaller than a [...]!"

I do like the Lego idea, though I'm not sure its size is universally recognised. I'm leaning towards confectionary - M&Ms or Skittles. Pretty consistent size, similar in size to a pea (which would also be a great candidate were it not for petit pois!), universally recognised, and fun. Plus I can eat them after the pictures are taken!

Am I overthinking this whole issue? Definitely. :P
Author:  jimmyzimms [ Thu Oct 31, 2019 10:56 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Random conundrum of the day
Def overthinking but in the best way possible :D
Author:  Kyrt [ Sat Nov 02, 2019 12:30 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Random conundrum of the day
Personally I think lego is about as ubiquitous an item as any that exists in the developed world. And if you want it to demonstrate small size, dont see much wrong with a one'er. I think people would be better at estimating lego than sweets. I'm picturing a 6mm infantryman in a polo hole now though, thanks for that weird thought.

What kind of M&M? There are different t types and they're different sizes ;) TBF it's probably a good choice, right up until they go through a cost reduction of course. In the timeframe that an SD card might become obsolete that could happen. I have a couple of friends at Mars that I can ask if they've ever changed the size before though.

If you liked peas, there's always rice?
Author:  jimmyzimms [ Sat Nov 02, 2019 2:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Random conundrum of the day
ah yes rice. Next to bananas the most highly selectively bred food on the planet, largely around length and thickness...
naaa avoid that. :D

showcasing tiny models is the very definition of a proverbial "1st world problem" and Legos, as Kyrt points out, and correctly I might add, are probably the most universal item for humans with disposable income have to compare with. I mean even the knockoffs are in identical scale and proportions so it's really pretty ubiquitous. I could show someone in China, someone in Israel, someone in South Africa, someone in UK, and someone in NA and they'd instantly know what we're discussing. If you're not familiar with a lego you're probably not giving a crap about someone's models either.
Author:  Otterman [ Wed Nov 13, 2019 4:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Random conundrum of the day
semajnollissor wrote:
A 2x4 LEGO brick. Make sure that the tops of the studs are visible, so people know it’s not a duplo brick.


Brilliant!
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