LESSON 4

PREPARE AND INTERPRET TECHNICAL DRAWING

ALPHABET OF LINES
A drawing is made up of different lines. Each line represents something. A surface, a hidden
surface, an extension of a surface, a center of a hole, or a line with dimension on it. In order to make
the drawing easier to read and understand, each kind of line is drawn with a different line weights.
Read and understand the following.

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Visible line – a thick line that represents the visible edges or outline of the object; also
known as the object line
Hidden line – a medium thick line composed of short dashes about 2-3 millimeters long with
space between dashes about 1-2 millimeters wide; it represents the surface or edges that
cannot be seen
Center line – a thin line consisting of two long dashes and short dash drawn alternately with
a gap of at least 2 millimeters in between; it represents the axis or center of symmetrical
shapes like a ball, washer, rectangular block, cube
Section line – a thin lines to show the surface that has been cut; they are spaced evenly at
45 degrees with the horizontal to make shaded effect
Extension line – a thin line that extends from the object in order to show dimension limits
Dimension line – a thin line with an arrowhead in one end used to indicate the
measurements of the object

Long-break line – a medium thick line consisting of broken and straight lines drawn
alternately. This is also known as the limiting line. This limits the length of an elongated
object without changing the size of its view.
Short-break line – thick line drawn in freehand to show details that a part has been cut off
or broken out.
Leader line – a short inclined thin line with an arrowhead at the end and short horizontal line
on the other end.
Phantom line – a thin line that shows position(s) of part of an object that moves drawn by
two short dashes and one long dash.

Cutting-plane line –thick lines used to indicate an imaginary cut through an object along the
line. Made up of two long dashes broken in one end with an arrowhead and two short
dashes drawn in between the long dashes.

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 THEORIES AND PRINCIPLES OF ORTHOGRAPHIC PROJECTION

Multi-view drawing – a drawing that shows more than one view of an object.

Orthographic Projection – A system for graphical representation of an object by a line drawing on

a flat surface.

Orthographic View – a drawing that shows a side of an object viewed directly from 90 degrees.

Six (6) Principal Views of an Object:

The simple work piece below shows the six (6) principal sides or views.

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 TOP

L REA

FRO
R

BOTTO

An orthographic view is made by projecting the edge of the object perpendicular to a plane of
projection.

Planes of Projection

Three planes of projection are used in orthographic drawing. These are called the horizontal
plane, frontal plane, and the profile plane.

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 The planes of projection join and form quadrants. The quadrants are called first angle, second angle,
third angle, and fourth angle. The first and the third quadrants are used for drafting purposes.

Overall Size of the Object

1. Height is the perpendicular distance between two horizontal planes.

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 HEIGHT WIDTH

2. Width is the perpendicular distance between two profile planes.

3. Depth is the perpendicular distance between two frontal planes.

Mechanical drawing is describing the shapes of objects completely and exactly by the use of
orthographic views. Although there are six principal views that can be drawn in an object, only the three
regular views are normally required in the preparation of a working plan.

ORTHOGRAPHIC PROJECTIONS

1. First-Angle Projection (ISO Standard)

The first-angle projection is a system of orthographic projection used by the European countries
which places the object on the first quadrants.

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 Here the horizontal plane is below the object.

• The top of the object is projected down the horizontal plane.

• The rear projects to the frontal plane.

Unfolded Planes

With the planes unfolded and laid flat, the front view is above the top view.

The position of the unfolded planes in the first-angle

projection

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 SYMBOL USED FOR FIRST ANGLE

2. Third-angle Projection (ANSI)

The third-angle projection is a system used in the United States which places the object in the third
quadrants.

The third-angle projection places the object in the third quadrant. (An observer here would be facing
the frontal plane).

• Observe that the object is placed below the horizontal plane.

• The top view of the object projects up to it, therefore, the top view is in the horizontal plane.

• The object is behind the frontal plane. The front view of the object projects forward to it,
therefore, the view is on the frontal plane.

• The side of the object projects to the profile plane, therefore, the side view will be seen in the
profile plane.

Unfolded Planes

If the planes be unfolded and laid flat, the top view would be above the front view.

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The position of the unfolded planes in the third-angle projection

SYMBOL USED FOR THIRD ANGLE

PICTORIAL DRAWING

A pictorial drawing shows likeness (shape) of an object as viewed by the observer. It represents a
portion of the object and shows the method of its construction. In some presentations, the whole object is
shown in one view.

Types of Pictorial Drawing:

A. Axonometric Pictorial Drawing

1. Isometric drawing – a pictorial drawing showing the three surfaces of the object tilted 30 degrees in
front of the observer.

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 Angle a = 30 0, s =
30

Width: Scale 1:1

Height: Scale 1:1

Depth: Scale 1:1

Isometric drawing according to standard

2. Dimetric drawing – the angle that is used for the horizontal planes varies according to the angle of view
that has been chosen. This type is not widely used.

3. Trimetric drawing - a classification of an axonometric projection where in a cube is positioned in

the way that no axes and angles are equal when projected to the plane projection.

B. Oblique Pictorial Drawing

1. Cavalier drawing – an oblique drawing in which the depth axis lines are full scale or in full size.

2. Cabinet oblique – depth axis lines are drawn one-half scale.

3. General oblique – depth axis lines vary from one-half to full size.

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 CAV CA
ALIER BINET

GENERAL

C. Perspective Pictorial Drawing

1. 1-pt. or Parallel perspective – a perspective drawing using one vanishing point, the front view is
drawn in its true shape in full or scale size.

2. 2-pt. or Angular perspective – a perspective drawing using having two vanishing points.

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 ANGULAR ( TWO -POINT )

3. 3-pt. or Oblique perspective – a perspective drawing using three vanishing points.

Isometric Drawing

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 Vertical

Left-cross axis Right – cross axis

Axes used in Isometric Drawing

1. Vertical axis
2. Right-cross axis
3. Left-cross axis
Isometric drawing – a pictorial drawing showing the three surfaces of the object tilted 30 degrees in
front of the observer.

Isometric lines – are lines drawn parallel to the isometric axes.

Steps in Drawing Isometric from a given Orthographic Views

1. Study the given orthographic views carefully. Estimate the width, height and the depth of the
object, then sketch the axes used in isometric drawing.

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 2. Transfer the height (A), the width (B), and the depth (C) of the object to the corresponding
axis respectively.

Height (A) Width (B)

Depth (C)

3.Sketch isometric lines to complete the isometric

box.

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 ISOMETRIC BOX
4. Layout details of the object inside the box then finish the pictorial view by drawing the object
lines.

Isometric view

More information on Oblique Drawing

Oblique drawing – the kind of pictorial drawing of an object one surface of which is shown parallel to the
frontal plane and the other is inclined to it.

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 Axes in Oblique Drawing Variations in Direction of Receding
Axis

Classifications of Oblique Pictorial Drawing

1. Cavalier drawing – An oblique drawing in which the depth axis lines are full scale or in full
size. The receding lines are true depth – that is makes an angle of 45 degrees and
30 degrees with the plane of projection.

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 2. Cabinet oblique – Depth axis lines are drawn one-half scale. When the receding line is
drawn to half – size, and the projectors makes an angle of 30, 45, 60 degrees respectively.

3. General oblique – Depth axis lines vary from one-half to full size. Drawn at any convenient
angle and the receding lines are drawn to full size, one- third size, one-half size, or
one fourth-size.

Procedure in Sketching Oblique Pictorial View

1. Study carefully the given orthographic views. Sketch the vertical line OB and horizontal line OA.

2. Draw line OC as the receding line.

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3. Complete the oblique box by sketching parallel lines to the oblique axes.

4. Layout the details of the object inside the oblique box.

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5. Erase the unnecessary lines to complete the drawing.

CAVALIER OBLIQUE CABINET OBLIQUE

SCALING

Proportion – a size or distance in comparison to another.

Proportion Scale – a scale for measuring distances for drawings. Marks on a proportion scale indicate the
reduced size in proportion to the full or actual scale.

Scale – a graduated measurement to allow production of a drawing to any size desired.

The Scale

To draw accurate drawings, you must measure accurately, develop the ability to measure distances.
The measuring tool, called the scale (commonly known as the metric scale), has several edges. Each edge
is called the proportion scale. It helps the drafter to reduce or enlarge the drawing of an object in proportion
to its actual size.

Function of a Scale

1. To measure or layout line distances accurately either in full size and larger or smaller than full size.
2. To produce drawing to a certain sizes (making drawing into scale)

The Scale Ratio (Object/Drawing)

Scale ratio 1 : 1 – means that 1 mm. on the drawing represent 1 mm. on the actual
product or work piece.

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 Each mark as you pass represents one millimeter from zero.

Proportion Scales

Most drafting scales are equipped with proportion scales. Each of these scales aids the drafter in
reducing an object on a drawing in a different proportion.

Commonly Used Scale

Full-Size Scale – has a ratio of 1:1. This means that 1 mm on the drawing represents 1 mm of the
actual object. The views on the drawing paper are the same size as those of the actual object.

Reduced Scale (Scaled-down) – has a ratio of 1:2. This means that 1 mm on the drawing
represent 2 mm on the actual object. The views of the actual object are twice the size of the views on the
drawing paper.

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 Sometimes you want to show the shapes of the objects clearly and to be able to show the dimension
more convenient, you have to prepare drawings that are larger than the actual object. Listed below are
sample of enlarged scale.

Enlarged Scale (Scaled-up)

Scale 2:1 - This means that every 2 mm on the drawing represent 1 mm on the actual object.
The views on the drawing paper are twice the size of those of the actual object.

Scale 5:1 - This means that every 5 mm on the drawing represent 1mm on the actual object.
The views on the drawing paper are five times larger than those of the actual object. \

Things to Remember in Scaling a Drawing

1. Whenever possible, the work piece must be drawn into full-size.

2. When dimensioning, always enter the actual dimension of the work piece.
3. Angular dimensions remain the same regardless of the scale to which an object is drawn.
4. The first figure of a scale designation refers to the dimension used to construct the views. The second
figure of a scale designation refers to the actual dimensions of the object being drawn.

Dimensioning
Dimensioning – placing sizes and related information on a drawing

Size dimension – gives the detail and overall sizes of the object
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 Location dimension – merely locates part or parts and features of the object

Dimensioning Method

Aligned Method
All dimensions are placed aligned with the dimension line and be read from either the bottom
or right side of the paper.

Unidirectional Method

In the unidirectional method, all dimensions are read from the bottom of the page as
illustrated. This is a new method.

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Kinds of Dimensions

Over-all dimension – every object, regardless of its shape, has three over-all dimensions. An over-all
dimension indicates the over-all width, height and depth of an object.

Detail dimensions – provide size or location information concerning any feature or details of an

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 object other than its over -all dimension.

Rules in Dimensioning

For a beginner like you, remember these dimensioning rules when placing measurements in your drawing.

1. Dimensions should be placed between the views.

2. Avoid repetition of dimensions.

3. Use outside dimension if the space is limited, and use an inside dimension if there is enough space.

4. Continuous dimensions should be used whenever possible.

5. Staggered dimensioning should be used when the space for dimensioning is limited.

6. When dimensioning a circle, it should be from center to center.

7. Dimensions are entered in millimeters without measures.

8. Extension lines must have a distance of about 10 mm from the object edge and an approximate 2
millimeters after the dimension lines.

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