SCALEMASTER is a straightforward number crunching
program of interest to model makers; model engineers etc., indeed
anyone who is interested in models or plans and their related
scales. It has many functions which can be selected from the main
menu. It will convert imperial measurements, (feet/inches) to metric
(cm. or mm.), and back again.
If you know the full size of something you wish to model, enter it,
and enter the scale that you wish to use. The program will give you
the scale size of that measurement. This option has been
particularly enlightening with die-cast cars such as Dinky, Corgi
etc., which purport to be 1:43 scale. SCALEMASTER will tell you
differently. You can also scale a model up to full size. If you have
an accurate model of something such as a construction kit of an
aeroplane or ship, measure it and enter the size in mm. Now tell
SCALEMASTER what scale the model has been made to, (this is usually
printed on the box) and SCALEMASTER will respond with the full size
in feet/inches. If, on the other hand, you want to know what scale
your model has been built to, enter the full size in feet/ inches
and enter the model size in mm. SCALEMASTER will respond with the
exact scale. Finally, if you want to know how many mm. to the foot a
scale represents, just enter the scale and SCALEMASTER will tell
you.
Written in BASIC, SCALEMASTER uses a simple no frills GR0 display.
The program is fully error trapped with the usual exception of
RUBBISH IN, RUBBISH OUT. The BREAK key has been disabled, and the
program will accept responses in upper or lower case. In normal use,
only the RESET key will stop it!
The idea for the program came from a friend of mine who collects
model die-cast cars and wanted to check the accuracy of their scale.
It has proved very successful in this respect, but I feel that the
scope of the program could be widened for other model enthusiasts.
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