1:6 scale modeling, a.k.a. Playscale Miniaturism, is a hobby focusing on the collecting and/or customization of commercially produced 1:6 scale action figures and accessories.

The term "Playscale" originally represented the domestic, urban or civilian expressions of the scale, especially when coed, and not, usually, exterior genres, like military and adventure themes. As such, it came to represent cross-genre miniaturism, as well, which routinely includes elements from the former. Miniaturists who focus exclusively on exterior themes tend to prefer the protologism sixthscale.

This scale is fairly new to the modeling world, having been standardized in the early 1960s through Barbie and G.I. Joe toys (it is not clear exactly when these figures were first used for mainstream modeling purposes). Most of this style of miniaturism is constructed around posable plastic figures. The average 1:6 figure stands roughly 30 cm (12 in) tall, representing a 1.8 m (6 ft) tall human. Figures can be outfitted in a wide variety of mass-produced, limited-production, and custom clothing and items. Some people undertake vehicleprojects ranging from tanks and helicopters to sand rails and jeeps. Talented "customizers", miniaturists specializing in construction of one-off and limited production items or the extensive modification of stock products, are limited only by their imagination.

A significant focus of supporting manufacturers is military subjects of many different eras, but many crossover miniaturists will reassign them to science fiction, fantasy, pop culture, or civilian themes. Further emphasis on the military genre can be found in the article,Military miniaturism.

(Collecting vs. Miniaturism)

There is a distinction between 1:6 scale collectors who choose to simply display their figures in the original box, and playscale miniaturists. Consistent with other forms of miniaturism, many enthusiasts make their own custom uniforms, weapons, helmets, and equipment.Kitbashing is another component of playscale miniaturism. This involves the mixing and matching of clothing and accessories from different sources to achieve the desired look.

Other modifications to basic collectibles include the sculpting and painting of new heads for figures; altering bodies to achieve a specific look: more human, or even alien; as well as weathering. Some miniaturists also construct and paint custom accessories from scratch using materials like styrene, Sculpey, or Aves Apoxie.

Diorama work is fairly common despite the large size of the scale, and custom- or scratch-building buildings, furniture, vehicles and armor all complement basic figure work.