VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS 3 UNIVERSITY OF PANGASINAN

B1-2BSARC-04 PHINMA EDUCATION NETWORK

RSW NO. 1
THEORIES OF LIGHT AND
COLORS
SEPTEMBER 18, 2020 ON OR BEFORE 8:00PM

SUBMITTED BY:
(QUE-JE P. SERNICOLA)
(03-1920-00226)

SUBMITTED TO:
AR. RON PAOLO P. VIRAY RMP

ARC
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063
 Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION 3
LINE TYPES 4-10
DIMENSION RULES OF ARCHITECTURAL PLANS 11-13
REFERENCE 14

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 INTRODUCTION

Physically speaking color and light belong to a single radiant spectrum so, without light

color cannot exist. However, many investigations fail to take this basic fact into account. This is

so even in the field of architecture, which prefers to deal with both aspects separately, thus

restricting the scope of future research and producing a discourse which has become both

partial and repetitive. The objective of this paper is to attempt to explain the basics of colors and

light in the aspects of architecture.

Color is an integral element of our world, not just in the natural environment but also in

the man-made architectural environment. Color always played a role in the human evolutionary

process. The environment and its colors are perceived, and the brain processes and judges

what it perceives on an objective and subjective basis. Psychological influence, communication,

information, and effects on the psyche are aspects of our perceptual judgment processes.

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Hence, the goals of color design in an architectural space are not relegated to decoration alone.

(Frank H. Mahnke. Archinect. Color in Architecture — More Than Just Decoration)

Architectural drawings are intended to communicate design intentions in a clear manner.

This can be best presented with graphic symbols and written forms. Industry standards have

been developed to provide a universal language of graphic symbols and written forms for

different design companies and building professions. Typical drafting standards, symbols and

line types are described below.

LINE TYPES

There are standards for different types of lines. Each has a definite meaning and is

recognized as a typical symbol or object within the building trades industry. Listed below are the

standard types of lines that will typically use in design drawings.

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SOLID LINE

Solid lines are used to indicate visible objects that can be seen in plan, elevation or 3D

views. Solid lines are also used for leader lines and dimension lines.

Figure 1: Architectural Drawing

Solid lines are used to show all the visible edges of an object. The weight or thickness

of these lines is varied.

 Heavy solid lines are used as cut/ profile lines.

 Light solid lines as elevation lines.

DASHED LINE/ HIDDEN LINE

Hidden objects or edges are drawn with short dashed lines. There are used to show

hidden parts of an object or objects below or behind another object. Dashed lines are also used

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to indicate shelving or cabinets above a counter. These lines should be in contact at corners

and when perpendicular to another line.

Figure 2: Floor Plan

Dashed lines are used to show either the hidden edges of an object or an important

overhead construction. They are categorized into two types:

 Hidden lines are used to show the concealed edges of an object or a completely

hidden object, like for example the foundation of a building or a structure covered

by earth. Of course, only the most important features are shown by hidden lines,

otherwise the drawing would be cluttered.

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  Phantom lines are used to show important overhead construction, like for

example exposed beams on a living room ceiling, the edges of the roof

overhang, a balcony above, a change in ceiling height etc.

To avoid confusion between dashed lines we use for hidden lines shorter dashes and for

phantom lines longer dashes.

LEADER LINE

Leader lines are used to connect notes or references to objects or lines in a drawing.

Leader line starts as a solid line and eng in an arrow. Leader lines may be drawn in angle or

curved.

Figure 3: Standard Leader Line

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BREAK LINE

Break lines are used when the extents of a drawing cannot fit on the size of paper being

used for the drawing. It can also be used when you only need to illustrate a portion of design or

a partial view.

There are two types of break lines. One is long break line and the other is the short

break line. The long break line is the type of line that is associated with architectural drafting. To

terminate a feature on the drawing. The figure 4 shows example of long and short break line.

Figure 4: Sample of long and short break line

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CENTER LINE

Center lines are used to indicate the center of the plan, object, circle, arc, or any

symmetrical object. Use a series of very long and short dashes at the intersection (Figure 5).

Figure 5: Symmetrical objects

Center lines are used to depict symmetrical objects. Two centerlines are used to

indicate the center of round objects (the short dashes cross in the center). Centerlines are made

up of long and short dashes (dot - dash).

SECTION LINE

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 The section line is used to show a cutaway view of a floor plan. A section cutting all the

way through a floor plan is referred to as full section. The direction of the arrow shows the

direction of the section view. The symbols on the end of the section line indicate the drawing

number on the top of the page number the section will be located on the bottom (Figure 6).

Figure: 6. Section symbols and lines are placed on a drawing

DIMENSION LINE AND EXTENSION LINE

The dimension line is used to show the measurement of an object. It can be used to

indicate length, width, diameter, etc. The dimensions are listed in feet, inches and meter on floor

plans and elevations.

The dimension lines are used in the drawing to show the length of the dimension. The

extension lines show how long the dimension extent (Figure 7).

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 Figure 7: Dimension line and extension line

CUTTING PLANE LINE

Cutting plane lines are usually heavy lines with long dashes and pairs of short dashes

(dot - dot - dash). These lines are always have some identification at their ends and arrowhead

to indicate the direction from which the section is viewed.

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 Figure 8: Section view sample

A sectional view or a section looks inside an object. Sections are used to clarify the

interior construction of a part that cannot be clearly described by hidden lines in exterior views.

By taking an imaginary cut through the object and removing a portion, the inside features may

be seen more clearly.

DIMENSION RULES OF ARCHITECTURAL FLOOR PLAN

Below are the standard rules and measurements on dimensioning to use

as a guide on preparing a floor plan.

Dimension lines
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  The lines that shows where a measurement begins and where it ends and size of

an angle

 Broken for text

 3/8” (10mm) away from the object

 1/4" (6mm) away from other dimension lines

Extension lines

 The lines that extend the lines or edges of the object.

 Used to located center points and to provide space for dimension lines

 Don’t touch the object – start 1/16” (1.5mm) away from object

 Extend past the dimension line 1/8” (3mm)

Arrow Head

 Used at the ends of dimension lines and leaders to show where dimension

begins and ends.

 Can be open or solid

 Must be uniform throughout drawing

 Length = 2 ½ x height

 Usually 1/8” (3mm) long

Arrow Head Samples

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 Dimension Text and Notes

 Height = 1/8 (3mm)

 Linear Dimension text is centered on dimension line

 General notes apply the entire drawing

 Local notes apply only to the object pointing to

Placing Dimension for Reading

 Two Methods (Aligned and Unidirectional)

Aligned System – Dimension text is place in

the line with the dimensions

Unidirectional – Dimension text parallel to the bottom of the

sheet.

DIMENSION RULES OF

ARCHITECTURAL FLOOR PLAN

Below is a good example of dimensioning by Joe Caruso.

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 https://prezi.com/diej2tflq5gr/dimensioning- rules-for-architectural-floor-

plans/

References:

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 https://prezi.com/diej2tflq5gr/dimensioning-rules-for-

architectural-floor-plans/

https://slideplayer.com/slide/13537998/

http://www.decosoup.com/knowhow/1413-architectural-drawing-tutorial-01-line-weight-
a-types

https://hosting.iar.unicamp.br/lab/luz/ld/Arquitetural/livros/interior%20design%20student
%20handbook.pdf

https://theconstructor.org/practical-guide/lines-architectural-drawings-

importance/17395/

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