ENGINEERING DRAWING PRACTICE M ANUAL I B.

Tech

ISOMETRIC AXES, LINES, PLANES AND SOLIDS

Isometric projection:
Isometric projection is a type of pictorial projection in which the three dimensions of a solid are not
only shown in one view but their actual sizes can be measured directly from it. The three lines AL,
AD and AH, meeting at point A and making 1200 angles with each other are termed Isometric Axes.
The lines parallel to these axes are called Isometric Lines. The planes representing the faces of the
cube as well as other planes parallel to these planes are called Isometric Planes.

Isometric scale:
When one holds the object in such a way that all three dimensions are visible then in the process all
dimensions become proportionally inclined to observer’s eye sight and hence appear apparent in
lengths. This reduction is 0.815 or 9/11 (approx.). It forms a reducing scale which is used to draw
isometric drawings and is called Isometric scale. In practice, while drawing isometric projection, it
is necessary to convert true lengths into isometric lengths for measuring and marking the sizes. This
is conveniently done by constructing an isometric scale as described on next page.

Construction of isometric scale:

From point A, with line AB draw 300 and 450 inclined lines AC & AD respective on AD. Mark
divisions of true length and from each division-point draw vertical lines up to AC line. The divisions
thus obtained on AC give lengths on isometric scale.

Note:
Isometric Drawing/Isometric view true length

Isometric Projection Reduced length (isometric length)

Figure 4.1
 ENGINEERING DRAWING PRACTICE M ANUAL

Isometric scale [Line AC] required for Isometric Projection:

Figure 4.2

Terminology:

Figure 4.3

Isometric axes: The Three Lines CB, CD, CG meeting at a point C and making an angle of 1200
with each other are called Isometric axes.

Isometric Lines: The Lines parallel to the Isometric Axis are termed as Isometric lines. Example
from above fig. AB, AD, GF, GH, BF, DH are Isometric Lines.

Non-Isometric Lines: The lines which are not parallel to the isometric axes are known as Non-
Isometric Lines Example from above fig. BD, AC, CF, BG are Non-Isometric Lines.

Isometric Planes: The planes representing the faces of the cube as well as other planes parallel to
these planes are termed as Isometric Planes Example from above fig. ABCD, BCGF, CGHD are
Isometric Planes

Isometric Scale: It is the scale which is used to convert the true length in to Isometric Length
 ENGINEERING DRAWING PRACTICE M ANUAL

Isometric views of planes:

Simple Problems:
Problem:
Draw the isometric view of a square with 40mm side?
Solution:

(a) (b) (c)

Figure 4.4

Problem:
Draw the isometric view of a Hexagon with 40mm side such that its surface is Parallel to the HP
and a side Parallel to the VP?
Solution:

(a) (b)
Figure 4.5

Problem:
Draw the isometric view of a Circle with a 60mm Diameter on all three Principle Planes Using Co-
ordinate methods?
Solution:
Construction Procedure:
1. Draw a circle with 60mm Diameter and enclose it in a square abcd.
2. Mark midpoints of the sides 1, 2, 3 and 4, where the square touches the circle
tangentially
3. Draw the Diagonals of the square which cut in the circle at points 5, 6, 7 and 8 as
shown in fig (a).
4. Draw a Rhombus ABCD to represent Isometric view of a square abcd.
5. Mark points 1, 2, 3 and 4 on it as the midpoint of the sides.
6. Mark points 5, 6, 7 and 8 on it, such that they are at a distance equal to Ax from the
side of the square .join points to obtain isometric view as shown in figures(b)(c)(d)

(a) (b) (c)

 ENGINEERING DRAWING PRACTICE M ANUAL I

(d)
Figure 4.6

Problem:
Draw the isometric view of a Circle lamina with a 60mm Diameter on all three Principle Planes
using for center methods?
Solution:
Construction:
1. Draw a Rhombus ABCD of 60mm side to represent isometric view of a square
2. Mark 1,2,3 and 4 as a midpoints of the sides AB,BC,CD and DA respectively join
(the ends of the minor diagonals) B to meet points 3 & 4 and D to meet points 1 & 2.
Let B4 and D1 intersect at point E and B3 and D2 intersect at a point F. then B,E,D
and F are the Four centers for drawing the ellipse
3. With center B and radius B3 draw Arc 3-4. With center D and Radius D1 draw Arc
1-2. With center E and radius E1 draw Arc 1-4. With centre F and radius F2 draw
Arc 2-3.
4. These Arcs join in the form of an Ellipse which represents the required isometric as
shown in figure (a)(b)(c)

(a) (b) (c)

Figure 4.7

Isometric views of solids

Problem:
Draw an isometric view of a square prism having a base with 40mm side and a 60mm long axis,
resting on the HP when (a) On its base with axis Perpendicular to the HP (b) On its rectangular faces
with axis perpendicular to the VP and (c) on its rectangular face with axis parallel to VP.
Solution:

(a) (b) (c)

Figure 4.8
 ENGINEERING DRAWING PRACTICE M ANUAL

ISOMETRIC VIEW OF SOLIDS CONATINING- NON ISOMETRIC LINES

The inclined lines of an object are represented non isometric lines in isometric projections. These are
drawn by one of the following methods

[Link] Method:
In this box method, the object is assumed to be enclosed in a rectangular box and both the isometric
and non-isometric lines are drawn by locating the corresponding points of contact with the surfaces
and edge of the box.

[Link]-Set Method:
In this Off-set Method the lines parallel to isometric axes are drawn from every corner or reference
of an end to obtain the corner or the reference point at the other end.

*The Box Method is generally convenient for solving most of the problems*

Problem:
Draw isometric view of a hexagonal prism having a base with 30 mm side and a 70mm long axis
resting on its base on the HP. With an edge of the base parallel to the VP when (a) using Box
Methods (b) using Off-set Method?

Solution:

(a) Box Method (b) Off-set Method

Figure 4.9

Problem:
Draw an isometric view of a cylinder, with a 50mm base diameter and a 70mm long axis when
(a) The base is on the HP (b) when one of the generators is on the HP?

Solution:

Figure 4.10
 ENGINEERING DRAWING PRACTICE M ANUAL
Problem:
Draw an isometric view of a pentagonal pyramid having a base , with a 30 mm side and 50mm long
axis (a) when the its axis is vertical (b) when the its axis is horizontal?
Solution:

(a)Axis is Vertical (b)Axis is horizontal

Figure 4.11
Problem:
Draw an isometric view of Cone with a base diameter is 50 mm side and 70mm long axis (a) when
the base is on the HP (b) when the base is on the VP?
Solution:

(a)Base is on the HP (b) Base is on the VP

Figure 4.12

ISOMETRIC VIEW OF FRUSTUMS

Problem:
Draw an isometric view of Frustum of Hexagonal Pyramid having 35 mm base side 20 mm top side
and 80mm long axis, resting on its base on the HP with an Edge of the base parallel to the VP?
Solution:

Figure 4.13
 ENGINEERING DRAWING PRACTICE M ANUAL
Problem:

Draw an isometric view of Frustum of Cone with a 60 mm base diameter, 40 mm Top diameter and
70mm long axis, resting on its base on the HP?

Solution:

Figure 4.14

ISOMETRIC VIEW OF COMPOSITE SOLIDS

Problem:
A Sphere with a 60 mm diameter is resting centrally on the Top of the Square Block with a 70 mm
side 20 mm thickness. Draw an isometric view of the arrangement?

Solution:

Figure 4.15

Problem:
A square pyramid resting centrally over a cylindrical block which is resting centrally on top of the
Square block. Draw an isometric projection of the arrangement .consider the pyramid has a base of
25mm side and a 40 mm long axis, the cylinder block has a 50mm base diameter and 20mm
thickness and the square block has a70mm base side and 15mm thickness.?

Solution:
Note: Solve this problem by using isometric scale (reduced length)
 LEARNING OUTCOMES
ISOMETRIC DRAWING
It is expected that students will be able to:
• Understand the significance of
isometric drawing
• Apply the basics method of isometric
drawing

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 ISOMETRIC DRAWING
• INTRODUCTION
• SIGNIFICANCE
• TRUE LENGTH
• BASIC METHOD

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 INTRODUCTION
• Isometric drawing method shows the
drawing in 3-D
• The real shape of an object can be
easily interpreted by using isometric
drawing
• The construction of an isometric
drawing can be made by viewing the
object from certain angle and
directions.
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 SIGNIFICANCE
• In this Chapter, you will be constructing isometric
drawings from given orthographic projections of an
object.
• Isometric drawing is important to engineering
designers as the drawing shows clearly what that has
been designed
• It is also useful for equipment designers as they can
easily interpret the method of construction of an
object or equipment.
• This type of drawing also can cope with beginners of
someone who has no basics in engineering drawing
unlike orthographic drawing.
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 TRUE LENGTH

• Every measurements that are transferred to

the isometric drawing is in its true length of
the object
• However, only vertical & horizontal lines in
orthographic drawing can be transferred
directly to isometric drawing.
• Inclined, oblique lines, circles and others
however cannot be transferred directly and
must be drawn using certain techniques

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 Distance in Isometric Drawing
True-length distances are shown along
isometric lines.
Isometric line is the line that run parallel to any of
the isometric axes.

Nonisometric lines

Isometric axes

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 BASIC METHODS

• Isometric drawing is built on 3 main axis

namely the vertical axis and two 30 degrees
axis from a horizontal line to the left and
right of the vertical axis
Vertical Axis

30 degrees axis
30 degrees axis

Horizontal line

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 ISOMETRIC DRAWING AND SCALE

Isometric drawing is a drawing drawn on an isometric

axes using full scale.

Isometric projection Isometric drawing

(True projection) (Full scale)

Foreshorten
Full scale
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 SKETCH FROM AN ACTUAL OBJECT

[Link] the object in the position which its

shape and features are clearly seen.

2. Define an isometric axis.

3. Sketching the enclosing box.

4. Estimate the size an and relationship of
each details.
5. Darken all visible lines.

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 SKETCH FROM AN ACTUAL OBJECT

STEPS
1. Positioning object.
2. Select isometric axis.
3. Sketch enclosing
box.
4. Add details.

5. Darken visible lines.

Note In isometric sketch/drawing), hidden lines are omitted

unless they are absolutely necessary to completely
describe the object.
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 Top View Top
H
Regular

Front
Side
Front View Side View
H

W
D

W D Side
Front
Reverse
Bottom View
Bottom

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 D
Nonisometric line

H
y

x
x Front View
W

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 x

C B A x

x x
B

C A

y
y

C
B A

Nonisometric line

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 Regular
x

y C
E
B D F Front View
A

B
Reverse
C D
A F E

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 In isometric drawing, a circle appears as an ellipse.

Sketching Steps
1. Locate the center of an ellipse.
2. Construct an isometric square.
3. Sketch arcs that connect the
tangent points.

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 Four-center method is usually used when drawn
an isometric ellipse with drawing instrument.

Sketching Steps
1. Locate the center of an ellipse.
2. Construct an isometric square.
3. Construct a perpendicular
bisector from each tangent point.
4. Locate the four centers.
5. Draw the arcs with these centers
and tangent to isometric square.
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