Development of Surfaces

Paper: Engineering Graphics and Design

Paper Code: Es-ME 291

Tripuresh Deb Singha

Asstt. Professor

Mechanical Engineering
Govt. College of Engg. and Textile Technology, Serampore
Hooghly-712201, India.

Tripuresh Deb Singha GCETT Serampore June 16, 2025 1

Introduction
 A development is the unfold / unrolled flat / plane figure of a 3-D object. It is also
called a pattern where the plane may show the true size of each area of the
object. When the pattern is cut, it can be rolled or folded back into the original
object as shown in the Figure.
 The knowledge of development of surfaces is essential in many industries such as
automobile, aircraft, ship building, packaging and sheet-metal work. In
construction of boilers, process-vessels, hoppers, funnels, chimneys etc., the plates
are marked and cut according to the developments which, when folded, form the
desired objects. The form of the sheet obtained by laying all the outer surfaces of
the solid with suitable allowances for the joints is known as pattern.

Figure . Typical development of the surface of a cuboid.

Source: https://nptel.ac.in/courses/112103019/
Tripuresh Deb Singha GCETT Serampore June 16, 2025 2
Types of Development
 Parallel-line development
 Radial-line development
 Triangulation method
 Approximate development

Figure: Typical examples of the various types of development

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Tripuresh Deb Singha GCETT Serampore June 16, 2025 3

 True Development
 A true development is one in which no stretching or distortion of the surfaces occurs
and every surface of the development is the same size and shape as the
corresponding surface on the 3-D object. e.g. polyhedrons and single curved surfaces.

 As illustrated in Figure, polyhedrons are composed entirely of plane surfaces that can
be flattened true size onto a plane in a connected sequence, where as single curved
surfaces are composed of consecutive pairs of straight-line elements in the same
plane which is obtained for a cone.

Figure: True development obtained for polyhedrons and single curved surface

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Tripuresh Deb Singha GCETT Serampore June 16, 2025 4

Approximate Development
An approximate development is one in which stretching or distortion occurs in the
process of creating the development. The resulting flat surfaces are not the same size
and shape as the corresponding surfaces on the 3-D object. Wrapped surfaces do not
produce true developments, because pairs of consecutive straight-line elements do not
form a plane. Also double-curved surfaces, such as a sphere do not produce true
developments, because they do not contain any straight lines. An example of the
approximate development of a sphere is shown in following Figure.

Figure : An approximate development of a sphere.

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Tripuresh Deb Singha GCETT Serampore June 16, 2025 5

Parallel-line Development
They are made from common solids that are composed of parallel lateral edges or
elements. e.g. Prisms and cylinders as shown in Figure. The cylinder is positioned such
that one element lies on the development plane. The cylinder is then unrolled until it is
flat on the development plane. The base and top of the cylinder are circles, with a
circumference equal to the length of the development. All elements of the cylinder are
parallel and are perpendicular to the base and the top. When cylinders are developed,
all elements are parallel and any perpendicular section appears as a stretch-out line that
is perpendicular to the elements.

Figure : Parallel line development technique for (a) cylinder and (b) rectangular block

Source: https://nptel.ac.in/courses/112103019/

Tripuresh Deb Singha GCETT Serampore June 16, 2025 6

Radial-line Development
Radial-line developments are made from figures such as cones and pyramids. In the
development, all the elements of the figure become radial lines that have the vertex as
their origin. The following Figure shows the radial development for a cone. The cone is
positioned such that one element lies on the development plane. The cone is then
unrolled until it is flat on the development plane. One end of all the elements is at the
vertex of the cone. The other ends describe a curved line. The base of the cone is a
circle, with a circumference equal to the length of the curved line.

Figure : Radial development method for a cone.

Source: https://nptel.ac.in/courses/112103019/

Tripuresh Deb Singha GCETT Serampore June 16, 2025 7

Development of Prism
Problem: To draw the development of a square prism of side of base 30 mm and height 50 mm
Construction:
(i) Assume the prism is resting on its base
on H.P. with an edge of the base parallel
to V.P and draw the orthographic views of
the square prism.
(ii) Draw the stretch-out line 1-1 (equal in
length to the circumference of the square
prism) and mark off the sides of the base
along this line in succession i.e., 1-2, 2-3,
3-4 and 4-1.
(iii) Erect perpendiculars through 1,2,3
etc., and mark the edges (folding lines) 1-
A, 2-B, etc., equal to the height of the
prism 50 mm.
(iv) Add the bottom and top bases 1234 (a) (b)
and ABCD by the side of any of the base
edges. Fig. (a) Orthographic view (b) Development of surface

Tripuresh Deb Singha GCETT Serampore June 16, 2025 8

Development of Prism (Contd..)
Problem: A hexagonal prism of side of base 30 mm and axis 70 mm long is resting on its base on H.P.
such that a rectangular face is parallel to V.P. It is cut by a section plane perpendicular to V.P. and
inclined at 30° to H.P. The section plane is passing through the top end of an extreme lateral edge of
the prism. Draw the development of the lateral surface of the cut prism.
Construction:
(i) Draw the projections of the prism.
(ii) Draw the section plane VT.
(iii) Draw the development AA1A1A
of the complete prism following the
stretch out line principle.
(iv) Locate the point of intersection
1’,2’,3’ etc., between VT and the
edges of the prism.
(v) Draw horizontal lines thrugh (b)
1’,2’,3’ etc., and obtain 1,2,3 etc., on
the corresponding edges in the
development.
(vi) Join the points 1,2,3 etc., by
straight lines and darken the sides
corresponding to the retained (a)
portion of the solid. Figure (a) Orthographic view (b) Development of surfaces

Tripuresh Deb Singha GCETT Serampore June 16, 2025 9

Development of Pyramid
Problem: Development of a square pyramid with side of base 30 mm and height 60 mm.
Construction: (i) Draw the views of the
pyramid assuming that it is resting on H.P.,
and with an edge of the base parallel to V.P.
(ii) Determine the true length o-a of the slant
edge.
Note: In the orientation given for the solid,
all the slant edges are inclined to both H.P
and V.P. Hence, neither the front view nor
the top view provides the true length of the
slant edge. To determine the true length of
the slant edge, say OA, rotate oa till it is
parallel to xy to the position Oa1 .Through a1
draw a projector to meet the line xy at a1’
Then O’-a1’ represents the true length of the
slant edge OA. Figure (a) Orthographic view (b) Development of surfaces

(iii) with centre O and radius O’-a1’ draw an arc.

(iv) Starting from A along the arc, mark the edges of the base i.e., AB, BC, CD and DA.
(v) Join O to A,B,C, etc., representing the lines of folding and thus completing the development

Tripuresh Deb Singha GCETT Serampore June 16, 2025 10

 Development of Pyramid (Contd..)
Problem: Draw the development of the lateral surface of the frustum of the square pyramid of side
of base 30 mm and axis 40 mm, resting on H.P. with one of the base edges parallel to V.P. It is cut by a
horizontal cutting plane at a height of 20 mm.
Construction:
(i) Draw the projections of the square pyramid.
(ii) Determine the true length. o-a ofthe slant edge.
(iii) Draw the trace of the cutting plane VT.
(iv) Locate the points of intersection of the cutting
plane on the slant edges a’, b’, c’, d’ of the pyramid.
(v) With any point O as centre and radius equal to
the true length of the slant edge draw an arc of the
circle.
(vi) With radius equal to the side of the base 30 mm,
step-off divisions on the above arc.
(vii) Join the above division points 1,2,3 etc., in the
order with the centre of the arc O. The full
development of the pyramid is given by 012341.
(viii) With centre O and radius equal to oa mark-off
these projections at A, B, C, D, A. Join A-B, Figure (a) Orthographic view (b) Development of surfaces
B-C etc. ABCDA-12341 is the development of the
frustum of the square pyramid.

Tripuresh Deb Singha GCETT Serampore June 16, 2025 11

Development of Cylinder
Problem: Development of a right cylinder of 30 mm base radius and 50 mm height.

Construction
(i) Divide the circle in the top view
into twelve equal parts. Project the
division points to the front view
and draw the generators .
(ii) Draw the development of the
lateral surface of the whole cylinder
along with the generators Figure
(b). The length of the line 1-1 is
equal to πd (circumference of the
circle).
(iii) Add top and bottom circular base
planes. Figure (a) Orthographic view (b) Development of surfaces

Tripuresh Deb Singha GCETT Serampore June 16, 2025 12

 Development of Cylinder (Contd..)
Problem: A cylinder of diameter of base 45 mm and height 60 mm is standing on its base on H.P. A
cutting plane inclined at 45° to the axis of the cylinder passes through the left extreme point of the
top base. Develop the lateral surface of the truncated cylinder
Construction
(i) Divide the circle in the top view into
twelve equal parts. Project the division
points to the front view and draw the
generators. Mark points a', b' and b'1, c'
and c'1 etc. in which the generators are
cut.
(ii) Draw the development of the lateral
surface of the whole cylinder along with
the generators. The length of the line 1-1
is equal to π x D (circumference of the
circle).
Figure (a) Orthographic view (b) Development of surfaces
(iii) Draw horizontal lines through points a', b'
and b'1 etc. to cut the corresponding
generators in points A, B and B1 etc. Draw
a smooth curve through the
points thus obtained. The figure 1-A-A-1 is
the required development.

Tripuresh Deb Singha GCETT Serampore June 16, 2025 13

Development of Cone
Problem: Development of a right cone of 50 mm base radius and 60 mm height.
Construction
(i) Draw top view and front view of
the cone considering its axis
perpendicular to the H.P. Divide
circle in the top view into equal
twelve divisions.
(ii)The development of the lateral
surface of a cone is a sector of a
circle. The radius and length of the
arc are equal to the slant height
and circumference of the base of
the cone respectively. The
included angle of the sector is given Figure (a) Orthographic view (b) Development of surfaces
by
(r / s) x 360°
where, r is the radius of the base
of the cone and s is the true length
(ii) Add the base circle

Tripuresh Deb Singha GCETT Serampore June 16, 2025 14

Development of Cone (Contd..)
Problem: A cone of base diameter 40 mm and slant height 60 mm is kept on the ground
on its base. An AIP inclined at 45° to the HP cuts the cone through the midpoint of the
axis. Draw the development.

Draw the Front view and top view of the

cone. Divide the circumference of the
circle (Top View) in to 12 equal parts 1, 2,
3, 4, …., 12. Project these points on the
Front view to obtain the points 1’, 2’, 3’, ….,
12’. Draw a line inclined at 45 ° to the
horizontal and passing through the mid
pint of the axis of the cone to represent
the AIP. The location the intersection
points of the AIP with the generators O’-
1’, O’-2’, …. O’-12’ as P1’, p2’, p3’, …. P12’.

Continued to next slide

Tripuresh Deb Singha GCETT Serampore June 16, 2025 15

Development of Cone (Contd..)
Continued from previous slide…..
Draw the projection (figure shown on the
right of the Front view) by drawing the
line O1 parallel to O’ 7’. Obtain the
included angle of the sector θ = (20/60)*
360 = 120° (following the procedure shown
in problem 4). Then draw sector O–1–1– O
with O as a centre and included angle
120°. Divide the sector into 12 equal parts
(i.e., 10° each). Draw lines O–2, O–3, O–4,
…, O–12. Draw horizontal projectors from
P1’, P2’, …., P12’ such that it meets the line
O1 at p1, p2, p3, …, p12. With O as centre
and radius O’P1’, mark point P1 on line O1.
With O as centre and radius equal to Op2,
draw an arc to intersect the radial line O2
at point P2. Similarly obtain points P3, P4,
…, P12, and P1. Join points P1, P2, P3, ….,
P12 and P1 to obtain the development of
the truncated cone.
Tripuresh Deb Singha GCETT Serampore June 16, 2025 16
References
[1] Bhatt, N.D. “Engineering Drawing”, 50th ed., Charotar Pub. House Pvt. Ltd. , 2011.
[2] Taffesse, W. and Kassa, L., “Engineering Drawing”, EPHTI, 2005.
[3] Narayana, K.L. and Kannaiah, P. “Engineering Graphics”, Tata McGraw Hill, New Delhi, 1988
[4] Lakshminarayanan, V. and Vaish Wanar, R.S., “Engineering Graphics”, Jain Brothers, New Delhi
1998.
[5] Chandra, A.M. and Chandra Satish, “Engineering Graphics”, Narosa, 1998.
[6] Jolhe, “Engineering Graphics”, Tata McGraw-Hill- WBUT Series.
[7] Gill, P.S., “A Text Book of Engineering Drawing”, Katson Publishing House (Kataria and Sons).
[8] Venugopal, K., “Engineering Drawing & Graphics + AutoCAD”, New Age International.
[9] Ventaka Reddy K., “Text Book of Engineering Drawing (2nd Edition)”, BS Publication.
[10] http://nptel.ac.in/courses/112103019/5-7

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