ISOMETRIC DRAWING

Isometric drawing is a method of producing a pictorial view of an

object, that is, a view that shows three faces of the object
simultaneously. An isometric drawing is based on three lines, called
axes, which are used to show the three basic dimensions: width,
height, and depth. Isometric means equal measure so that there are
three equal angles between the axes.

120

120 120

30
30
 EXAMPLE
The figure shows two views of an object. Draw an isometric drawing of the
object. Do not show hidden detail. Scale 2 : 1

10 30
5 20

10

20

50
30
Draw the three axes, namely,
the vertical and the two
inclined axes at 30 to the
horizontal plane.

30 30
Draw a block using the
overall dimensions.

30

50
30
Use a divider, or compass,
and mark off the lengths
on the three axes.
Complete the block in
construction lines.
When you are certain that all
the necessary details are
added in, the block may be
completed by drawing the
necessary full lines. Unwanted
or unnecessary construction
lines may be erased.
 EXAMPLE
The figure shows two views of a cylindrical
object. Draw an isometric projection of the
object.

Ø 60

80
 SOLUTION
In order to obtain the centre
points for the ellipse, the round
cylinder is first drawn as a
square object. The following
steps can be used to construct
the object:
 First construct the object as if
it is a normal isometric block.
The width and the height of
the square are equal to the
diameter of the object. The
length must also be drawn in
and complete a square at the
end.
 Obtain the centre lines
in the front and back
squares. It is essential
that all your work be
accurate.
Each square has two
obtuse angles (angles
that is larger than 90).
These angles are
opposite each other in
the squares. Join these
obtuse angles with each
of the centres of the
opposite sides in the
squares by means of
construction lines.
Because only the one half of
the rear ellipse will be seen, a
diagonal line can be drawn
across the square.
With r as a radius, draw the
arcs as full lines as shown in
the figure. r

r
r

r
With R as radius, draw the
remaining arcs as full lines as
shown in the figure.

R
Draw the sides as tangents to
the arcs in full lines.

R
Notice that the radii for the
arcs at the back are the same
as the radii for the arcs at the
front.
CIRCULAR ARCS OR RADII
The construction for these arcs or radii
is the same as for a full ellipse. The full
ellipse will now not be drawn, but only
the part or portion of the ellipse that is
needed. When an arc is more or less
than a quarter circle, it is sometimes
possible to draw all or part of a
complete isometric circle and use as t
much of it as needed. The thickness, t,
of the object is the distance for moving
the centres for the rearmost arcs, in r
the correct direction.
r
ANGLES IN ISOMETRIC DRAWING

Angles can not be measured with a protractor x z

in isometric projection since the axes of the
isometric projection are not at right angles to
each other. The angles must be drawn by
means of ordinates that are parallel to the y
isometric axes. Angles in isometric can be
found in the following way:

Draw an orthographic view of the angle as

shown in the figure. Obtain the distances
parallel to the axes on the drawing.
Now draw the isometric view
of the angle and get the z
angles by marking off the
distances obtained from the
orthographic drawing. Note x
that the distances are
marked off parallel to the
axes of the isometric
projection.
y
This method can be used to lay out any angle on any isometric projection plane.