Scale determines everything
The scale you choose affects print time, material cost, detail visibility, and whether the model fits on your print bed. Picking the wrong scale wastes hours and filament.
Scale comparison
| Scale | Typical size | Print time | Material | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1:50 | 25–40 cm | 15–30 hrs | 300–500g | Detailed presentations, single rooms |
| 1:100 | 12–20 cm | 6–12 hrs | 80–150g | Standard architectural models |
| 1:200 | 6–10 cm | 2–4 hrs | 20–40g | Desk displays, quick prototypes |
| 1:350 | 3–6 cm | 1–2 hrs | 10–20g | Gift-sized, collections |
| 1:500 | 2–4 cm | 30–60 min | 5–10g | Keychains, miniatures |
1:100 — the sweet spot
For most floor plan models, 1:100 is the best balance. A typical two-bedroom apartment fits within a 200mm x 150mm footprint. Interior walls are thick enough to print reliably on FDM printers. Door and window openings are clearly visible.
1:200 — compact and practical
Half the size of 1:100, four times faster to print. Great for larger homes that would not fit a standard print bed at 1:100. Interior walls get thin at this scale — Ritn3D automatically thickens walls below 0.8mm to ensure they print correctly.
1:50 — maximum detail
Double the size of 1:100. Individual room features become clearly visible. May require splitting the model across multiple prints and gluing sections together. Best for single-floor presentations where detail matters.
1:500 — keychain scale
Tiny but recognizable. Perfect for realtor closing gifts, keychains, or desk trinkets. At this scale, resin printers produce much better results than FDM — the resolution matters when the entire house fits in your palm.
How to choose
- Measure your print bed. If your bed is 220mm x 220mm and your floor plan is 12m x 9m, the maximum scale before it overflows is about 1:55.
- Consider the audience. Clients appreciate detail (1:50–1:100). Quick internal reviews work fine at 1:200.
- Match the printer. FDM works well down to 1:200. Below that, switch to resin for crisp results.
Ritn3D handles scaling automatically
When you download an STL from Ritn3D, choose your scale and the file comes pre-scaled. No manual calculations, no slicer math. Import, slice, print.
Get started free — your first 3D model is on us.