ENGINEERING DRAWING
CHAPTER 4: ORTHOGRAPHIC PROJECTION
A view of an object is called a projection. By projecting multiple views from different directions
in a systematic way, you can completely describe the shape of 3D objects. There are certain
standard practices that you must know to create sketches and documentation drawings that can
be easily interpreted. For example, you need to know which views to show, how they should be
oriented in your drawing, and how to represent key information such as edges, surfaces, vertices,
hidden lines, centerlines, and other crucial details.
An object can be viewed from 6 mutually perpendicular directions. An observer can achieve this
by moving around the object.
The ability to identify whether surfaces are normal, inclined, or oblique in orientation can help
you visualize. Common features such as vertices, edges, contours, fillets, holes, and rounds are
shown in a standard way, which makes drawings simpler to create and help prevent them from
being misinterpreted.
Orthographic Projections is a technical drawing in which different views of an object are
projected on different reference planes observing perpendicular to respective reference plane.
Imagine a sheet of glass parallel to the front surfaces of the object. This represents the plane of
projection. The outline on the plane of projection shows how the object appears to the observer.
In orthographic projection, rays (or projectors) from all points on the edges or contours of the
object extend parallel to each other and perpendicular to the plane of projection. The word
orthographic means “at right angles.”
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The different Reference planes are Horizontal Plane (HP), Vertical Plane (VP) and Side or
Profile Plane (PP). Many objects only require three main views to fully represent their shapes.
The different views are;
–Front View (FV) or Front Elevation –Projected on VP
–Top or Plan View (TV) –Projected on HP
–Side or End View (SV) –Projected on PP
Front View
The front view should show a large surface of the part parallel to the front viewing plane and
should show the shape of the object clearly. In most cases, the front view is the view which has
most features. The side view and plan views are projected from the front view.
Spacing between Views
Spacing between views is mainly a matter of appearance. Views should be spaced well apart but
close enough to appear related to each other. You may need to leave space between the views to
add dimensions.
Hidden Features
Thick, dark lines represent features of the object that are directly visible. Dashed lines represent
features that would be hidden behind other surfaces. Hidden lines use a dashed-line pattern to
represent portions of the object that are not directly visible from that direction of sight. Hidden
features mostly include holes and slots.
Centerlines
The centerline pattern is used to:
• show the axis of symmetry for a feature or part
• indicate a path of motion
• show the location for bolt-hole circles and other circular patterns
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The centerline pattern is composed of three dashes: one long dash on each end with a short dash
in the middle. In the drawing, centerlines are shown thin and black. Because a centerline is not
an actual part of the object, it extends beyond the symmetrical feature.
First and Third Angle Orthographic Projections
There are two main systems used for projecting and unfolding the views: third-angle projection,
which is used in the United States, Canada, and some other countries, and first-angle projection,
which is used primarily in Europe. Difficulty in interpreting the drawing and manufacturing
errors can result when a first-angle drawing is confused with a third-angle drawing.
First Angle Orthographic Projection
In first angle orthographic projection, the object is placed in the first quadrant and is positioned
in front of the vertical plane and above the horizontal plane. The front elevation is the first view
to be projected, the end elevation is then projected to the left of the front view while the top or
plan view is projected to the bottom of the front view.
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Third Angle Orthographic Projection
In third angle projection, the 3D object to be projected is placed in the third quadrant and is
positioned behind the vertical plane and below the horizontal plane. The front elevation is the
first to be projected, the side view is then projected to the right of the front view while the top
view is projected on top of the front view.
Projection Symbol
A projection symbol is included in all the orthographic projection drawings and shows what an
observer would see when looking at a cone from the left, drawn sitting to the left of the drawing
of the front face of the cone. A projection symbol is drawn at the bottom left or bottom center of
the projection drawings. A projection symbol can be drawn in first angle or third angle and
therefore tells whether projection drawings have been made in first angle or third angle.
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Dimensioning
Each of the drawn projections should have appropriate number of dimensions. Dimension lines
are drawn using full lines thicker than construction lines but thinner than drawing lines.
EXAMPLES
Draw the front view, side view and top view of the 3D isometric models below taking the side
with the arrow as the front view.
1. First Angle Projection Examples
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2. Third Angle Projection Examples
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ASSIGNMENT 4
1. The following figure 1 Q1 shows a 3D isometric drawing. Draw to scale the following in
first angle orthographic projection;
a) A front view taken in the direction of the arrow (5mks)
b) A plan view projected from the front view (5mks)
c) A side view projected from the front view (4mks)
d) A projection symbol (1mk)
e) At least 6 principal dimensions (2mks)
f) A suitable title block (3mks)
All dimensions are in mm
Figure 1: Q1
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2. The following figure 2 Q2 shows a 3D isometric drawing. Draw to scale the following in
third angle orthographic projection;
a) A front view taken in the direction of the arrow (5mks)
b) A plan view projected from the front view (5mks)
c) A side view projected from the front view (4mks)
d) A projection symbol (1mk)
e) At least 6 principal dimensions (2mks)
f) A suitable title block (3mks)
All dimensions are in mm
Figure 2: Q2
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