Practical works: Technical drawing First Year Engineer TCST/ University Blida 1

Faculty of Technology / Department of TCST Engineer

Chapter 4: Orthographic Projections

1. Orthographic projection concept

Orthographic projection is a method of viewing of three dimensional objects so that a

number of plane views may be obtained. Each plane shows two of the three dimensions,
length, height or depth.

Applying this projection method, even the most complex shape can be fully described. It is
used for illustrating the shape and dimensions of many types of engineering features.

It is a multi-view system in which the principal views are perpendicular apart in the horizontal
and vertical planes giving a total of six possible views.

Orthogonal projects are always shown in two dimensional representations. That simply means
showing either length, height or length and width or width and height as shown below.

A plane is an imaginary surface on which pictures are prepared imaginably. This plane is
faced toward the object whose view is to be prepared as shown in Figure below.

Projection method illustrates the front view of an object drawn using an orthographic
projection. Imagine a sheet of glass parallel to the front surfaces of the object. This represents
the plane of projection.

Dr. ASNAM A. 2023/2024

Practical works: Technical drawing First Year Engineer TCST/ University Blida 1

Faculty of Technology / Department of TCST Engineer

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.”

The total number of views to observe an object is shown in Figure below. These views are
Front, rear, Right Side, Left Side, Top, and Bottom views. Due to the use of dashed lines to
represent hidden features, the number of views can be reduced to three. These are Front View,
Side View, and Top View.

Dr. ASNAM A. 2023/2024

Practical works: Technical drawing First Year Engineer TCST/ University Blida 1

Faculty of Technology / Department of TCST Engineer

2. About Projections

To make and interpret drawings, you need to understand projections and the standard
arrangement of views. You also need to be familiar with the geometry of solid objects and be
able to visualize a 3D object that is represented in a 2D sketch or drawing. 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.

3. Different Views of Objects

A photograph shows an object as it appears to the observer but not necessarily as it is. It
cannot describe the object accurately, no matter what distance or which direction it is taken
from, because it does not show the exact shapes and sizes of the parts. It would be impossible
to create an accurate 3D model of an object using only a photograph for reference because it
shows only one view. It is a 2D representation of a 3D object. Drawings are 2D
representations as well, but unlike photos, they allow you to record sizes and shapes precisely.

In engineering and other fields, a complete and clear description of the shape and size of
an object is necessary to be sure that it is manufactured exactly as the designer intended. To
provide this information about a 3D object, typically a number of systematically arranged
views are used.

The system of views is called multiview projection. Each view provides certain definite
information. For example, a front view shows the true shape and size of surfaces that are
parallel to the front of the object. An example of a 3D object and its different views projection
is shown in Figure below:

Dr. ASNAM A. 2023/2024

Practical works: Technical drawing First Year Engineer TCST/ University Blida 1

Faculty of Technology / Department of TCST Engineer

Defining the Six Principal Views or Orthographic Views of the object presented above

4. The Glass Box

One way to understand the standard arrangement of views on the sheet of paper is to
envision a glass box. If planes of projection were placed parallel to each principal face of the
object, they would form a box, as shown in this Figure.

Dr. ASNAM A. 2023/2024

Practical works: Technical drawing First Year Engineer TCST/ University Blida 1

Faculty of Technology / Department of TCST Engineer

The outside observer would see six standard views (front, rear, top, bottom, right side, left
side) of the object through the sides of this imaginary glass box. To organize the views of a
3D object on a flat sheet of paper, imagine the six planes of the glass box being unfolded to
lie flat, as shown in Figure.

Think of all planes except the rear plane as hinged to the frontal plane. The rear plane is
usually hinged to the left-side plane. Each plane folds out away from the frontal plane. The
representation of the hinge lines of the glass box in a drawing are known as folding lines. The
positions of these six planes after they have been unfolded are shown in Figure below.

Dr. ASNAM A. 2023/2024

Practical works: Technical drawing First Year Engineer TCST/ University Blida 1

Faculty of Technology / Department of TCST Engineer

5. Necessary Views (Which Views to Present?)

A sketch or drawing should contain only the views needed to clearly and completely
describe the object. These minimally required views are referred to as the necessary views.
Many objects need only three views to clearly describe their shape.

 Choose the views that have the fewest hidden lines and show essential contours or
shapes most clearly.
 If an object requires only three views, and the left-side and right-side views show the
object equally well, use the right-side view.
 If an object requires only three views, and the top and bottom views show the object
equally well, choose the top view.
 If only three views are necessary and the frontal view and rear view show the object
equally well, choose the combination that fits best on your paper.

Note: Complicated objects may require more than three views or special views such as partial
views.

Examples:

Figure (a) shows the six views of an object while Figure (b) shows three necessary views.

Dr. ASNAM A. 2023/2024

Practical works: Technical drawing First Year Engineer TCST/ University Blida 1

Faculty of Technology / Department of TCST Engineer

6. Basics shape in orthographic projection:

The following models show some basic shapes, how it is seen in the main 3 views and the
intersection between more than one of them:

Dr. ASNAM A. 2023/2024

Practical works: Technical drawing First Year Engineer TCST/ University Blida 1

Faculty of Technology / Department of TCST Engineer

Application exercise:

From the drawing below select the views which correctly show the frontal view of the
objects below:

Dr. ASNAM A. 2023/2024