Figure Placement Calculator — Realistic Spacing

In reality, infantry on patrol maintain 3-5 metre intervals. At 1:35 scale that is 86-143mm. A squad in combat might be closer at 1.5m intervals (43mm at 1:35). Crowds and civilians can be as close as 0.5m (14mm at 1:35).

As a composition guide, a believable uncrowded scene on a 200x150mm base at 1:35 often uses just 4-8 figures in a casual group, or 2-4 in a spread patrol — leaving plenty of empty ground for a natural look. The calculator works differently: its "Recommended for this base" figure is 45% of the tight square-packing maximum, so it scales with base size and your chosen spacing and can run higher than that artistic guideline (a large base with close casual spacing packs many more). Use the calculator number as the upper end of what stays visually comfortable, and the 4-8 composition guide when you want a deliberately sparse, story-driven scene.

No. Realistic figure placement uses natural grouping with varied spacing. People cluster in odd-numbered groups (3s and 5s look more natural than 2s and 4s). Leave gaps between groups for visual flow.