Orthographic Projection: Multiview

O RTHOGRAPHIC PROJECTION is a
common technique used to
produce mechanical and architectural
CAD drawings. Multiview orthographic
projection drawings allow the drafter
to represent a 3D drawing in a 2D
environment. Multiview drawings can
consist of up to six principal views:
front, back, top, bottom, left side, and
right side. Most multiview drawings
have three principal views, but more
views may be shown for complex
objects with lots of details.

Objective:

þ Examine multiview orthographic projections and draw the six principal views.

Key Terms:

Ñ axonometric projection
back view
isometric projection
left side view
orthographic projection
plane of projection
bottom view line of sight projection theory
cabinet linear perspective right side view
cavalier line precedence six principal views
diametric projection multiview orthographic three-point perspective
front view projection top view
general oblique projection trimetric projection
glass box technique one-point perspective two-point perspective

Drawing Multiview Orthographic Projections

Orthographic projection is a method to represent three-dimensional (3D) objects in
two dimensions (2D): a series of separate 2D inter-related views. Orthographic projection is a

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 parallel projection technique
where the plane of projection is
positioned between the observer
and the object and is perpendicu-
lar to the parallel lines of sight.
This technique is used to produce
pictorial drawings that show all
three dimensions of an object or
multiviews that only show two
dimensions of an object in a sin-
gle view.
The difference between ortho-
graphic projection and any other
method is the use of 2D views of
the object instead of a single view.
Orthographic projection (draw-
ings) helps overcome the chal-
lenge of viewing 3D objects’ six
faces. Orthographic drawings are
used to provide a manufacturer or
fabricator an accurate, measured,
drawing that can be followed
when making an object. Engi- FIGURE 1: This image shows an orthographic multiview projection drawing.
(Image Courtesy: Mark Smith, Industrial Technology Instructor, Reed-Custer
neers used orthographic projec- High School, Braidwood, IL)
tion to create multiview drawings.

MULTIVIEW ORTHOGRAPHIC PROJECTIONS

A multiview orthographic projection is a drawing technique in which up to six images
of an object are produced (illustrated). With each drawing the object is behind the plane of
projection and the object is positioned in such a way that only two of its dimensions are
shown. The parallel lines of sight go through the projection plane and the features of the part
are outlined. Perspectives in orthographic and multiview projections include: linear,
axonometric, and oblique types.

Linear Perspective
A linear perspective (drawing) is a system that creates an illusion of depth on a flat sur-
face. All parallel lines in a linear perspective drawing use this system to unite all lines to a single
or multiple vanishing points on a horizon line. There are three types of linear perspective:
one-, two-, and three-point perspectives.

t One-point perspective is a projection system that uses a single vanishing point to cre-
ate the illusion of depth in a drawing.

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 FIGURE 2. This drawing is an example of FIGURE 3. This drawing is an example of FIGURE 4. This drawing is an example of
1-point perspective. 2-point perspective. 3-point perspective.

t Two-point perspective is a projection system that uses two vanishing points to create
the illusion of depth in a drawing. Two-point perspective gives a more realistic view of an
object than 1-point perspective.
t Three-point perspective is a projection system that uses three vanishing points to cre-
ate the illusion of depth in a drawing. This system can have three types of perspective:
l Bird’s eye view
l Ground’s eye view
l Worm’s eye view

Axonometric Projection
An axonometric projection is a type of orthographic projection used to create a pictorial
drawing, where lines of sight are perpendicular to the plane of projection and the object is
rotated around one or more of its axes to show multiple sides. There are three types of
axonometric projections: isometric, diametric, and trimetric.

t An isometric projection is a pictorial representation of an object in which all three

coordinate axes appear equally foreshortened and the angle between any two of them is
120 degrees. Isometric projection is the most commonly used from of axonometric pro-
jection for engineering drawings. The term “isometric” comes from the Greek for “equal
measure.”
t A diametric projection is a pictorial representation of an object where the direction of
viewing has two of the three axes appearing equally foreshortened. The third axis is deter-
mined separately.
t A trimetric projection is a pictorial representation of an object where the direction of
viewing has all three axes appearing unequally foreshortened.

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 Oblique Projection
An oblique projection is a method of drawing objects in three dimensions. It is a picto-
rial drawing method similar to isometric projection except two if its axes are perpendicular to
each other so that one of its planes is parallel to the ground.

t Cavalier is a type of oblique projection where the receding side (depth) is scaled to
actual size.
t Cabinet is a type of oblique projection where the receding side (depth) is half the actual
size.
t General is a type of oblique projection where the receding side (depth) is two-thirds the
actual size.

SIX PRINCIPAL VIEWS

Multiview projections are a major subdivision of orthographic projections. Multiview draw-
ings used by CAD drafters show the object behind the plane of projection and the object is
positioned such that only two of its dimensions are visible. A CAD drafter trained to interpret
multiview drawings can visualize an object’s 3D shape by studying the multiview drawings of
that object. The method of visualizing multiviews is known as the glass box technique.

Glass Box Technique

The glass box technique is a method of visualizing a six-sided clear glass container and
each side of the box is one of the six planes of projection used in multiview drawings. It is a
visual aid used to define orthographic projection.

FURTHER EXPLORATION…
ONLINE CONNECTION:
How is CAD Connected to
Tesla Automobiles?
Tesla, the maker of electric cars, used
Autodesk’s Alias Surface to streamline design and
engineering processes. Alias Surface is used to
visualize, render, surface, and draw. The software
helped Tesla deliver high-quality designs in a very
short period of time. Read the Autodesk Customer
Success Story, “Electric Dreams Come True,” at
https://damassets.autodesk.net/content/dam/ To perfect their plans, Tesla Motors create clay model
designs using Autodesk Alias software to make rapid
autodesk/files/Tesla_Motors_Customer_Story.pdf.
prototypes and CNC mills to produce the clay model designs.

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 FIGURE 5. This image shows the glass box method of visualizing the six planes of projection. (Image
Courtesy: Mark Smith, Industrial Technology Instructor, Reed-Custer High School, Braidwood, IL)

Projection Theory
Projection theory is the principles used to graphically represent 3D objects and struc-
tures onto the six sides of the glass box. All projection theory is based on two variables: line of
sight and plane of projection.

t Line of sight is an imaginary ray of light between an observer’s eye and an object.
t Plane of projection is an imaginary flat plane or surface (surface of one of the box
sides) upon which the image created by the lines of sight is projected.

Six Principal Views

The six principal views in multiview orthographic projection drawings are front, back,
top, bottom, left, and right side. Multiview drawings generally show three views of an
object–often front, back, and side view–that show the features and dimensions in each view

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 FIGURE 6. This image shows the unfolded glass box and the six planes of projection. (Image Courtesy: Mark
Smith, Industrial Technology Instructor, Reed-Custer High School, Braidwood, IL)

that accurately represent those of the object. Each view is a 2D flat image. The views are
defined according to the positions of the planes of projection with respect to the object. There
are three principal dimensions of an object: width, height, and depth. For any object:

t The front view illustrates the width and height dimensions otherwise known as the
frontal plane of projection. To determine which face of the object is the front view, the
drafter considers that the front view should:
l Represent the most natural position of use.
l Contain the most characteristic shapes.
l Have the longest dimensions.
l Show the fewest hidden lines.
t The back view illustrates the depth and height dimensions.
t The top view illustrates the width and depth dimensions otherwise known as the hori-
zontal plane of projection.
t The bottom view illustrates the width and depth dimensions otherwise known as the
horizontal plane of projection.

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 t The right side view illustrates the depth and height dimensions otherwise known as
the profile plane of projection. [NOTE: The right side view is the side view typically
used in the United States.]
t The left side view illustrates the width and depth dimensions otherwise known as the
profile plane of projection.

Line Precedence in CADD Drawings

Line precedence is the priority of lines in orthographic drawings. In order of impor-
tance:

t Continuous object lines take precedence over all other lines. Continuous lines (or object
lines) are used to create the outline or the visible edges of an object.
t Hidden lines and cutting plane lines take precedence over centerlines. [NOTE: Hidden
lines show the concealed features of an object.]
t Centerlines indicate the midpoint of symmetrical objects.
t Phantom lines are a series of long dashes separated by pairs of short dashes. Phantom
lines indicate alternate positions of moving parts, repeated details, or referenced objects.

LINE PRECEDENCE
VISIBLE LINE takes precedence
over all other lines.
HIDDEN LINE and CUTTING PLANE
LINE take precedence over center
lines.
CENTER LINE does not have
precedence.
PHANTOM LINE does not have
precedence.

FIGURE 7. This image shows the priority that some lines have over other lines. (Image Courtesy:
Mark Smith, Industrial Technology Instructor, Reed-Custer High School, Braidwood, IL)

Summary:

2 Orthographic projection is a common technique used to produce mechanical and

architectural CAD drawings. Multiview orthographic projection drawings allow the
drafter to represent a 3D drawing in a 2D environment. Multiview drawings can
consist of up to six principal views: front, back, top, bottom, left side, and right side.
Most multiview drawings have three principal views, but more views may be shown
for complex objects with lots of details.

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 Checking Your Knowledge:

´ 1. Describe orthographic multiview projections.

2. Differentiate between 1-, 2-, and 3-point perspective.
3. Explain the glass box method.
4. List and describe the six principal views.
5. Explain line precedence in a CAD/CADD drawing.

Expanding Your Knowledge:

L Before starting your own orthographic multiview drawings, do some research

online about what other companies are doing with orthographic projection and how
they create multiview drawings. Ask for suggestions that you should consider when
creating multiview drawings. Then, use the Web Links to preview and prepare to
create multiview drawings.

Web Links:

: 2-Point Perspective Drawing Tutorial

http://www.automotiveillustrations.com/tutorials/drawing-2-point-
perspective.html

Drawing in 3-Point Perspective

http://www.automotiveillustrations.com/tutorials/drawing-3-point-
perspective.html

Ellipse Drawing Tutorial: Creating a Circle in Perspective

http://www.automotiveillustrations.com/tutorials/drawing-ellipse-in-
perspective.html

Foreshortening Perspective Tutorial

http://www.automotiveillustrations.com/tutorials/perspective-
foreshortened.html

The Glass Box Method

http://eon.sdsu.edu/~johnston/Eng_Graphics_Essentials_5th_Ed/files/ege/
ortho/ortho_page2.htm

Isometric Drawing Tutorial

http://www.automotiveillustrations.com/tutorials/isometric-drawing-
orthographic-projection.html

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