Drafting: Orthographic and Isometric Drawings
Orthographic Drawings
Orthographic drawings are projections from a single angle. Most objects can be fully represented
showing a front view, side view, and top (or plan) view.
The biggest limitation of orthographic drawings is they represent a single perspective that may
not show details hidden from view. For this reason, several views may have to be shown to
indicate all details. Most commonly, front views and top views are shown.
Figure 1 – Imagine an object floating inside a glass Figure 2 – Each side of the glass box shows only one plane
box. of the object, and all lines are straight and parallel.
Figure 3 – Views in an orthographic drawing Figure 4 – Drawing with the glass box flattened out
Isometric Drawings
1
Isometric drawings are most commonly used by tradespeople to communicate a large amount of
information in a single drawing. Because isometric drawings show three sides of an object, they
make it easy to visualize how a finished project may look or to better understand how the pieces
will fit together.
As demonstrated in the development of orthographic drawings, much more detail can be
conveyed in a single isometric drawing than in a series of three orthographic drawings.
Figure 5 – Isometrics show a three-dimensional object from three
perspectives in a single drawing
An isometric drawing can be identified by several factors:
Vertical planes or edges are still drawn vertically.
Left and right planes are drawn at an angle of 30° above horizontal.
No horizontal lines are found on isometrics.
The strength of using isometrics in the plumbing trade is that all fittings can be shown on a
single drawing, whereas an orthographic may have fittings hidden from view. This can create
confusion and uncertainty in the mind of the tradesperson. It is common practice for a
tradesperson to examine blueprint drawings (orthographic plan views) and create isometric
sketches to clarify areas of uncertainty. This can be used to discuss issues with inspectors,
supervisors, architects, or homeowners. The ability to visualize and plan a project before actually
using materials is a valuable skill.
2
Isometric to Orthographic
Figure 6 – Basic shapes and simple ideas can be Figure 6 – More complex shapes can be created by
shown more realistically through creating wire frames or boxes to which
development of isometric sketches detail is added.
Hints for Orthographic Sketching:
Identify the major features and overall dimensions
Use clean, crisp strokes
Do not use straightedges or scales when sketching
Start by drawing bounding boxes and a miter line, using construction lines
Align the views
Use light construction lines to locate vertices and edges
Only measure dimensions along primary axes
Map inclined and oblique faces between all three views
Follow the precedence of lines
Doublecheck to make sure there are no missing hidden or center lines
3
Darken all visible, hidden and center lines
4. Finish adding all final lines.
Be sure to add all hidden and center lines.
Procedures:
Darken all final lines.
1. Block in the 3 views using overall width, height and
depth.
Front View first, then project height and width using
construction lines.
Make sure depth is the same on Top and Right Views.
2. Lightly block in major features in each view.
Place circles in views where they look round.
Begin darkening major features.
3. Construction lines can be used to project
location or size of one feature to another
view.
A miter line can be used to project depth
dimensions.
4
Completed Sketch with construction lines
erased.
Orthographic to Isometric
Hints for Isometric Sketching
Identify major features and overall dimensions
Use clean, crisp strokes
Do not use straightedges or scales when sketching
Start by drawing a bounding box, using construction lines
Only measure dimensions along the primary axes
Do not directly transfer angles from a multiview to a pictorial
Use light construction lines to locate vertices and edges
5
Sketch faces roughly in this order:
Normal faces on the perimeter of the bounding box
4. Sketch
Normal faces in the interior of the bounding box the outlines of the top and side faces
using the same basic procedure as used for the
Inclined faces front face.
Oblique faces
Darken all object lines Begin sketching start/end points of major
features.
Procedures:
1. Set up Isometric Axis using 1 vertical line and
2 lines at 30 degrees from horizontal.
2. Estimate the overall width height and depth of
the object, and sketch the edges of a block that
would completely enclose the object.
3. Sketch the outline of the front face using lines
parallel and equal in length to the two
previous height and width edges.
6
5. Begin darkening major features as they are
developed.
Locate start/end points of additional and
smaller features.
6. Locate and sketch start/ end points for non-
isometric lines such as the angled surface.
Sketch and darken the non-isometric features.
Completed Isometric Sketch with construction
lines erased.
