What is an Orthogonal Drawing?

An orthogonal drawing is a two-dimensional drawing system where three dimensional objects are drawn in separate but aligned two-dimensional views: a top or plan view, front view and side or end view/s.

How many views? This depends on the complication of the object. As you can see in the toy truck below; there are two end or side views this is because they are different and hold different information.

However, a very simple objects such as a drinking glass would only need a front and plan view. Orthogonal drawings are often used by engineers, product designers and architects. The drawing system makes it possible to see all the views of a three-dimensional object on the one page. There are rules and conventions that must be adhered to when producing orthogonal drawings.

Third angle projection In Australia we commonly use the third angle projection for orthogonal drawings rather than the first angle projection. Third angle projection means that the Front elevation or view appears on the bottom left directly under the Plan elevation or view and an End or Side elevation or view appears to the right of the Front elevation.

The Australian Standards Association publication, Drawing Practice for Students, SAA HBI (1994) provides explanations of rules and conventions. Third angle projection is depicted by this symbol, which should appear on all such drawings. Think of the 3rd angle symbol as an orthogonal drawing for a simple tapering cylinder such as pictured above. The symbol only includes 2 views as a front view would be identical to the view from any side and would not include any extra information.

Australian Standards or rules for orthogonal drawings. Use the points below as a checklist when producing your orthogonal drawing. In an orthogonal drawing: It is important to have all (commonly three) views on the one page All views must be aligned Top or plan view is directly above and aligned with front view Side view is to the right and directly aligned to front view Views do not touch each other Views are approximately 20 - 40mm apart depending on the size of the drawing. All views are dimensioned but dimensions do not need to be repeated.

The example below shows how an isometric (3D) drawing of a sharpener is changed to an orthogonal (2D) drawing.

The Isometric (3D view) of the sharpener

How would you draw the left end view below?

The Orthogonal (2D view) of the sharpener

Orthogonal Sketches Make your sketch as accurate as possible. Your final orthogonal drawing will be taken from this. Use the following as a checklist: The draft should be produced on a blank A4 sheet of paper Use a hard pencil (either 2H or HB) Start by drawing the front view slightly to the left and to the bottom of the page Draw faint construction lines from the front view to assist you in lining up the plan and side views Keep all proportions accurate Align the views according to the rules of orthogonal drawing Invisible outlines are drawn by a dashed line Include the main measurements (at least the height, length and depth) of the object on the sketch.

Drawing Exercise
Label the faces on the Isometric Drawings so they correspond to the letters on the Orthogonal Views. Use a pencil.

Orthogonal Sketching Exercises

Draw the front top and side views of each of the objects shown. Label each view. Use a pencil ONLY .

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