Technical Specs & Measuring for Uru Maps

Notice

In answer to a question by Sel:
The units are running strides. We will just convert the strides to feet by multiplying by 3 for the scale that will appear on the final map. I don't think that having a scale on the final map of strides would help anyone. Actually it doesn't really matter whether we say that a running stride is 3 ft. or 3.5 ft. or even 4 ft. The scale is not so important, what is important is that the designs are proportional within themselves.

But just so that we are all on the same page, let's measure them in running strides and then for the final design multiply by three to give a close approximation of the scale. The only way to know the exact scale that I can figure out is if there is a large distance that is defined in the Age. In other words if in the age it says that a certain length is 50 ft. long.

In answer to a question by Bilbo:
A very good point! Not silly at all! I did a test and there is a difference. For instance the bottom fence [side near the initial link-in point] is 205 running strides for a woman and 183 running strides for a man. So that everyone's numbers are the same and we are all on the same page, let's use the man as the standard simply because the numbers will be smaller and easier to count. Keep asking those silly questions!

(I hope that this paragraph does not confuse the issue but it really doesn't matter whether you decide to measure it as a man or a woman or running or walking as long as you use a consistent technique. (i.e., don't measure one wall in a walk and another wall in a run or part of the floor as a man and part as a woman) All I need is your sketch (I don't even need to know if you ran it or walked it or you were a man or a woman) and then I will run one length in the age and that way I can put your sketch in scale with mine [even] if they have nothing in common )

I think everyone needs to keep in mind that we don't need to be accurate down to the inch. Small measurements can be guessed at by assuming that your man is about 6 ft tall and that if he were to extend his arms it would be about 6 ft. from fingertip to fingertip. Some measurements that you can't actually walk might be guessed at and if you are within 10 ft. that might be okay. Other measurements...it just might be a guess and be 50 ft. off (like things you see in the distance..ie...how wide and tall are those mushrooms??) and that would be fine too. All we can do is the best we can do. I think you will find this out as we go on. The main thing is that we have fun and enjoy naming things!

In Uru the mapping unit of measure is the Male Avatar's Running Stride. To facilitate keeping maps to scale one Running Stride will be considered 3 feet or 1 meter. (we know that is not exact)

Pixel Based Units - We are going to omit all the technical mumbo-jumbo and suggest that if one's software cannot draw maps in standard units, they place a legend on their map showing the length of 100 feet or 100 meters on the map.

Stairs: When measuring stairs, measure running up the stairs. Avoid measuring when there is computer lag present.

Walking verses Running Stride - Some have asked about walking and counting steps. Futographer elected to use the running stride to save time. The Running Stride has been officially adopted as the Uru Cartographer's base unit of measure.

However, you can measure using walking or even sidestepping. Just make sure you measure everything using the same standard. Avoid measuring part running and part walking.

Note: The use of the D'ni terms torantee and spantee as related to the GUild's mapping efforts is defined on the Uru Map Conversions Page.