AXONOMETRIC PROJECTION

Axonometric projection is a parallel projection technique used to create a pictorial view or projection of an
object by rotating the object along one or more Of its axes relative to the plane of projection (or the picture
plane). When projection is obtained on plane inclined to all the three principal planes, then it is called
axonometric projection. The projection of an object in which the length' height and depth are shown in one
view is called pictorial projection.
The Greek word axon means axis and metric means to measure.
To create an axonometric view, the object is tilted to the planes of projection so that all of the faces of the
object are shown in a single view. This produces a pictorial drawing of the object. But, since the edges and
surfaces of the object are inclined to the plane of projection, the lengths of the lines are shortened. The angles
between surfaces and edges appear either larger or smal ler than the true angle.

object

rallel
rojectors

Object

Figure l : Axonometric projection

Axonometric drawings are used in technical documents, sales documents, maintenance manuals and
documentation supplements in engineering drawings.

Difference between a multiview orthographic projection and axonometric projection

The main difference between a multiview projection and an axonometric projection is that, in a multiview
projection, only two dimensions of an object are visible in a view and hence more than one view is required to
define the object while in an axonometric projection, the Object is rotated about an axis to show all three
dimensions, therefore, only one view is required.

Figure 2: (a) Multiview projection and (b) Axonometric projection

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Axonometry axes
The main purpose of axonometric projections is to show the shape and the size of an object in 3-dimensional
view, i.e. on XYZ axes. Coordinate axes X, Y, Z form angles to the axonometric image plane
 Figure 3: Axonometric axes

The types of axonometric projections are based on the angle between the X, Y and Z axes.
• If the three axes X, Y, Z are at different angles, the axonometric projection is a trimetry type.
• If two of the axes X, Y, Z are at the same angles, the axonometry is a dimetry type.
• If the three axes X, Y, Z are at the same angles, the axonometry is an isometry type.

Types of Axonometric Projections

Axonometric projections are classified according to the angles between the lines of the axonometric axes.
Based on that, there are three main categories of axonometric projections:
i. Isometric projection
ii. Dimetric projection iii.
Trimetric projection
Ang

x
DtUETRtC ISOMETRIC
TRIUETNC C are equal Angles A. B, and C are
AnglosA and eq.jal MY and are equal Comers MZ, MY, MX are
eqLA
Corners
eqaal in lengtt

When all three angles are valen two Of the three When all three
angles
unequal the drawing is angles are equal the are equal the
drawing
classified as a drawing is classified as is classified as a
trimetric.
a dimetric. isometric.
Figure 4: Types of Axonometric projections

Some important notes when making axonometric projection

• Position of the Object: The object to be drawn shall be orientated or positioned to show its important
features.
• Axes ofSymmetry: Axes of symmetry Of the Object shall not be drawn unless necessary.
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 e Hidden Contours and Edges: Hidden contours and edges should preferably be omitted.
• Hatching: Hatching to indicate a section shall be drawn preferably at an angle of 450 with respect to axes
and contours Of the section. Hatching to indicate planes parallel to the planes of projection shall be drawn
parallel to the projected coordinate axis.
Dimensioning: Dimensioning Of axonometric prOjections is normally avoided. However, if, for
special reasons, dimensioning is considered necessary' the same rules given for orthographic projections
shall be used.

ISOMETRIC PROJECTION

Isometric projection is an axonometric projection in which the angles between the three coordinate axes appear
equal.

Isometric Terminology
• The three coordinate axes in isometric projection are called isometric axes

• Any line parallel to isometric axes is called isometric line

• A non-isometric line is a line not parallel to any one of the three isometric axes

• In isometric projection of a cube, the faces Ofthe cube and any plane parallel to them is called isometric
planes For example in Figure 5, when a cube is kept in particular position then it gives isometric axes,
isometric lines and isometric planes.

Isometric planes
Figure 5: Isometric axes, isometric planes and isometric lines of a cube

Isometric Axes
In Figure 6, the three lines or coordinates X, Y and Z meeting at the point O and making angle of 1200 degree
with each other are called isometric axes. Here, Z is vertical, Y is inclined at 300 to the right (i.e., ß = 300) and
X is inclined at 300 to the left (i.e., a =300).

Isometric axes

Figure 6: Isometric axes

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 Isometric Scale
When an object is held in such a way that all three dimensions are visible, all the dimensions will become
proportionally inclined to observer'S eye sight and hence appear reduced in lengths. The reduction of 0.815 or
9/11 of the true length forms a reducing scale which is called isometric scale. Figure 7 shows the natural and
isometric scales.

TL0fAE 80%of full scale

Figure 7: Natural and Isometric scale

• True lengths (TL) of the edges of the object are equally foreshortened
• Isometric projection can be drawn using isometric scale.
• In practice, while drawing isometric projection, it is necessary to convert true lengths into isometric
lengths for measuring and marking the sizes.

Types of isometric drawings

Types of isometric drawings are grouped into Isometric Drawing and Isometric projection
If the view of an object is drawn at full or true scale it is called an isometric drawing. (The drawing is made
using the natural or true scale)
• If all edges of an object are foreshorten to about 0.8 time (i.e., the projected length is approximately 80%
of the true length) in a drawing it is called isometric projection. (The drawing is made using the
isometric scale)
Isometric drawings are always preferred over isometric projection for engineering drawings, because they
are easier to produce.
Isometric projection Isometric drawing
(Full scale)
(True projection)

Forshorten
Full scale

Figure 8: Isometric projection and Isometric drawing

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Creating isometric projection
The basic steps for creating an isometric drawing are as follows:
i. Determine the isometric view that clearly shows the important features of the object, ii. Draw/establish
the isometric axes which will produce that isometric view of the object iii. Construct isometric planes, using
the width (W), height (H) and depth (D) of the object, such that the object will be totally enclosed in a box,
iv. Locate and draw the details on the isometric planes,
v. Darken all visible or detail lines and eliminate construction and hidden lines unless when they are
necessary to describe the object.

Example of creating isometric projection

Create the isometric projection of the object below

The steps involve in creating the isometric projection of the object are shown below

STEP t. ESTABLISH ISOMETRIC AXIS STEP 2. CREATE A CUBE WITH THE OVERALL
THICKNESS, WIDTH. AND LENGTH
THE OF
THE OBJECT

STEP 3. DRAW IN DETAILS STEP CONSTRUCTION DARKEN IN THE LINESDETAIL LINES ANO ERASE

Figure 9: Example of steps for creating an isometric drawing

Sketching isometric projection from a multiview projection
l. Interprete the meaning of lines and areas in the multiview Projection.
2. Locate the lines or surfaces related to the isometric axes.
 Metti'ie• orthographic projection Isometric projection

Figure 10: Sketch of isometric projection from orthographic projection

OBLIOt E PRO.JECTJON
08hgue projection is a projection in VOIich projectors are parallel to each other and inclined to the plane of
projecoon at an angle other than right angle. Oblique projection are made in the same '*ay as isometric
i.e. on three axes. Hosaever, in oblique projection, tuo axes are parallel to the picture plane (plane of
rather than just one, as in isometric projection.

Figure I l : Oblique projection

In oblique projection, the front view is its true size, i.e. the front view or face of the object is
sketched •ith its true share uhile the receding lines or surfaces are at an angle to gis.e the view a pictonal
am,earance In oblique projection, axes that the face or front view are draw ith one horizontal and cgher
vertical. The third axis is usually drawn at 300, 450 and 600 as shown in Figure 12.

Figure 12: Angles of receding lines used in oblique projection

of oblique projection ate two types of oblique projection

u.sed in engineering drawing•
Cavaltct
Cabinet
 Figure 13: Types of oblique projections

Cavalier: In cavalier oblique drawings, all lines are made to their true length. All vertical lines are drawn
vertical and all horizontal lines in the front view or face of an object are drawn horizontal to give a true
front view or elevation. All horizontal lines (receding lines or surfaces) in the side view or elevation are
drawn full length at 450 to the horizontal.
Cabinet: In cabinet oblique drawings, the receding lines are shortened by half of their true length. All
vertical lines are drawn vertical and all horizontal lines in the front view or front elevation or face are
drawn horizontal to give a true front view or elevation. All horizontal lines (receding lines or surfaces) in
the side view or elevation are drav,n to half of their full length at 450 to the horizontal.

PERSPECTIVE PROJECTION
A perspective projection is a three dimensional representation Of an Object. In perspective projection, an
object is projected on the picture plane (plane of projection) using lines of sight that converge to a point
(station point, SP or observer) called center ofprojection.
of sight coverge at the

Figure 14: Perspective projection

In perspective projection, lines not parallel to picture plane appear to converge at some point called the
vanishing point (VP) on the plane of projection (see Figure 14, VP on the Picture plane)

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Types of Perspective projections
The different types Of perspective projection are obtained based on the finite number of vanishing points
(VI)). Perspective views can have one, two, three or even more Vanishing points.

• One-point that has one perspective: vanishing point One-point (VP) (see perspective Figure 15)• is One-
point also called perspective parallel perspective. occurs when It the is a projection perspective plane viewis
parallel to two principal axes. Receding lines along one of the principal axis converge to a vanishing point.
 Figure 15: One-point perspective projection

• Two point perspective: Two-point perspective drawings have two vanishing points (VPI and VP2). This
perspective view is also called angular perspective, because none of the faces is drawn parallel to the picture
plane. If the projection plane is parallel to one Of the principal axes or if the projection plane intersects
exactly two principal axes, a two-point perspective projection occurs. Figure 16 shows a typical two-point
perspective.
z

Figure 16: One-point perspective projection

• Three-point perspective: If the projection plane is not parallel to any principal axis, a three-point projection
occurs. Figure 17 shows a typical three-point perspective.

Figure 1 8: Three-point perspective projection

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