How do I scale out a real decal to a 1:6 scale decal

Seems to me you would need to scale it down to 16.6% (1/6), 600% will make it 6x bigger.

What you'll want to do is first scan the page in your model instruction sheet which shows the decal placement. Then, scale that scan up (or down) to match your model's actual size. Now, you can properly determine your decal's final target size. Next, scan in your decal, then scale it up or down as needed to match your first scan's decal dimensions. If your software does not allow you to scale with drag handles, you can probably do it numerically. To easily figure the proper percentage, you can use a proportion wheel, which is a common device for determining scale percentages. There are many free proportion wheels on the web. Just do a Google search for "online proportion wheel".

I'm lost. I don't get those online proportioners. How does one enter 13x5??

I'm not sure if I correctly explained myself but here I go: It's a real life sized decal. I'm not using the kit's decals. And I am a hopeless mathematical idiot, (I'll get it eventually).

I want to scan the real life decal to 1:6 to match the model, (which is 1:6).

Panzer Madness wrote:

I'm lost. I don't get those online proportioners. How does one enter 13x5?? I'm not sure if I correctly explained myself but here I go: It's a real life sized decal. I'm not using the kit's decals. And I am a hopeless mathematical idiot, (I'll get it eventually).

OK. Try this. First obtain the length measurement of the actual full size vehicle, front to back. Now measure your model front to back.

Now go here: http://www.copyitmailit.com/p.htm

Take the first measurement (actual vehicle size) and enter it in the first box (original size).

Next, enter the model's length in the second box (new size).

Now click the "Calculate percent" button. This is your percentage of reduction.

Now measure your actual (full) size decal at its widest point. 

Now grab a handheld calculator* and take that decal measurement and multiply it by the reduction percentage you just got from the online proportion calculator.

Example: If the actual decal is 10" across, and the percentage number you got from the online calculator was, say, 22.45%,  you would punch in on your handheld calculator 10 x .2245 =

This gives you 2.245, or roughly 2-1/4" (rounded). This means your final decal should be about 2-1/4" at its widest point.

*You can also do this calculation online at the same website page via the secondary (lower) calculator (Get New Size). Referring again to our example above, enter the 10 in the top box (original size) and enter the percentage (22.45) into the bottom box (New Percent), then click the "Calculate Size" button.

You did not mention which editing software you are using, but most can manipulate scans by either dragging handles, scaling tools, or with numeric scaling.

 

O.K

A life size Police Harley Road King is 95.1-inches long. The model's length is 15-inches long. Using the proportioner's calculation gives me 15.77%.

Now the decal is 13-inches long, so 13 x's .1577= 2.0501, (or rounded 2" long). This was fun!!

My confusion was I did'nt know wether to enter it in feet or inches on the proportioner since it did'nt say. Anyway I hope I got it right. 

 Yeah I did'nt mention the software because it's the default program that came with the scanner. That's my next hurdle.....

Thanks, your help was very much appreciated.

What's with all the math and scale converters?  Like Waikong said, you need to get the image down it 16.7%, which is 1 / 6 = 16.7, of it original size. 

Scan the image at hi-res and save it full size.  When you go to print the decal, somewhere in your printer setup there will be a control, usually called Scaling, where you can set the size of the print.  Set it at 16.7% (or17 if it won't take a decimal) and it will print the image at 1/6 its original size.

And to answer your original question, yes that too is an option.  Scan the original, save it and with a graphics program, resize it and save. 6 of 1, half dozen of another.  I prefer the 1^st method since it is easier to make adjustment to the final size when you prtint.

wing_nut wrote:

What's with all the math and scale converters?  Like Waikong said, you need to get the image down it 16.7%, which is 1 / 6 = 16.7, of it original size..

How are you Marc, long time! Well I suppose you COULD take the easier, less complicated way, but REAL men take the difficult road!!! I really didn't know the capabilities of his scan or print software, hence the long version as a solution.

 Yes, I was raised on the "old school" methods, which aren't always the quickest! I was gonna loan you my slide rule, my abacus, and my sun dial, but now I don't think I will!!!!

 

I'd say 15.77% and 16.70% are pretty darn close.

Scaling it down, just divide length and width by 6... eg, if it's 1 foot long, 12in, divided by 6, = 2in.

Well I scaled them down to 16.7, (they look better then my 15.77 calculation). But here's a snag I ran into: I'm using PhotoShop 7.0 but this darn program is so complex that I had to buy two books just to understand the most menial task, (even so it still takes me quiet a while). 

 My biggest hurdle is being able to make a decal sheet of all of the oem decals I scaled. I can easily print one at a time but that's it, (that's a waste of time and paper). I still have'nt figured it out so I tried Testors Surething Decal maker. What a piece of crap that program is. No tutorials and vague explanations in the help dialog.

My brain is exhausted. Trying to learn new programs takes all the fun out of modeling. Anyone have knowledge of how to make a sheet of decals with PhotoShop 7.0? I know how to do some of the most basic things and this program is solid. But it's complexity is killing me. I'm not going to buy anymore programs.

This one, (PS 7.0),  is very good and should be capable of doing this according to what I've read in various Photo forums. But they are all experts and I'm just your average.