Hi,
just to add to my last post and to Andre, even in Autocad (and other programs, I scale from drawings (and photos etc using my own special scales), and draw the ship full size (not the model size) in model space, then scale through into paper space to the scale I want the model. That way any errors or inaccuracies transfered fron the original, are minimized. I also draw in the units which the original was built (ie imperial or metric) as modules used in full size construction are different. (ie frames at 2 feet spacing is quite different to frames at 600mm centres, when taken over the length of a vessel).
Rick, I have done the same at times (scale from plan, then calculate conversion and draw), all very time consuming, another point for 'murphy' to slip into, and how easy is it to have a module of frame spacings of 609.6mm when drawing an imperial ship with 2foot frame spacings, especially if measuring from an original full size vessel with frame spacings varying from 603.3mm to 615.9mm? ( thats 24inch frames varying by + or -1/4 of an inch, fairly standard for the hulls I have been drawing up).
Using scale rules also means you can measure direct from your model (in real measurements, which may mean something) when checking from photos etc. ie you have a photo with some known reference (say a 15" high bucket on deck next to a doorway) using a scale rule draw in the 15" bucket on your plan and eyeball it from there, no fiddling with calculators or buts of scribble on scraps of paper - works for me.
Each of us have our own "favourite" way of doing things, but for me to think in imperial (or metric), for the whole of one job, is a definite plus (and 'murphy doesnt pop up as often).
You all have a happy Christmas, and enjoy your modelling, whatever way you do things
cheers
kiwi