Computer Aided Engineering Graphics (CAEG) B.

TECH – I YEAR

UNIT 4
ISOMETRIC PROJECTIONS

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Isometric Projection

In engineering drawing, orthographic projection of a solid is best way of projecting the details
of an object when a solid is resting in its simple position. As the front view or top view taken
separately, gives an incomplete idea of the object, a pictorial projection is the best method to
show the object in one view only. Basically, pictorial projection represents three dimensional
shape of an object and represents real things in one view only, which indicates length, breadth
and height of the object. Therefore, the object is easily visualized from a pictorial projection
than from its orthographic projection.

The pictorial projection may be divided as:

1. Oblique projection
2. Perspective projection
3. Axonometric projection.

Axonometric Projection
An axonometric projection is a type of single-view parallel projection used to create a
pictorial drawing of an object. The object is placed in such a position that the three mutually
perpendicular faces are visible from a single direction. The word ‘axonometric projection’
means measuring along axis in which “axon” means axis while metron means measuring.
Axonometric projections are commonly used to draw mechanical parts of an object for the
clear picture of an object which are visualized from the orthographic projection. In this
projection the object can be drawn at different angles and having the different length of
edges.

Axonometric projections are again classified as:

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Trimetric Projection
In this type, an object is placed in such a way that no two axes make an equal angle with the
plane of projection.

Dimetric Projection
In this type of projection, an object is placed in such a way that two of its axes make equal
angle with the plane of projection and the third axis makes either a smaller or a greater angle.

Isometric Projection
In this type of projection, an object is placed in such a way that all three axes make equal
angle with the plane of projection.

The isometric projection is the most common pictorial representation used in industries where
visualization of the three dimensions of a solid are not only shown in one view, but their
actual sizes can be measured directly from it. As it shows views of three faces of an object
equally, it is very helpful to even a layman to understand the shape of the object. A multiview
drawing requires two or more orthographic projections to define the exact shape of a three
dimensional object. Each orthographic view is a two-dimensional drawing showing only two
out of three dimensions of the object.

Principle of Isometric Projection

The isometric projection can be visualized is by considering a view of a cube with one of the
solid diagonals perpendicular to the vertical plane and the three axes equally inclined to the
vertical plane. The final front view is the isometric projection of the cube. Figure 15.3(a)
shows the front view when hidden lines are removed. It gives the realistic view of the cube.
The corners are renamed in capital letters. A keen study of this view reveals the following
information.
1. The outer boundary ABFGHDA is a regular hexagon.
2. All the faces of the cube which are actually square in shape appear as rhombus.

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3. The three lines CB, CD and CG meeting at C, represent the three mutually perpendicular
edges of the cube.
a. They make equal angles of 120° with each other.
b. They are equal in length but smaller than the true length of the edge of the cube.
c. The line CG is vertical, and the other lines CB and CD make 30° with the horizontal.
4. All other lines representing the edges of the cube are parallel to one or the other of the
above three lines, i.e., CB, CD and CG, and are equally foreshortened.
5. The diagonal BD of the top face ABCD is parallel to V.P., and hence shows its true
length.

A comparison of the rhombus ABCD of the front view with the square face of the cube is
shown in below figure.

Isometric Axes, Lines and Planes

1. The three lines CB, CD, CG meeting at a point C and making an angle of 1200 with each
other are called Isometric axes.
2. The lines (AB, BF, FG, GH, DH and AD) parallel to the Isometric axis are termed as
Isometric lines.
3. The lines (BD, AC, CF, BG, etc.,) which are not parallel to the isometric axes are known
as Non-Isometric lines
4. The plane (ABCD, BCGF, CGHD, etc.,) representing any face of the cube as well as
other plane parallel to it is called an Isometric Plane.
5. The plane (ABGH, CDEF, AFH, CFH, etc.,) which is not parallel to isometric planes are
known as Non-Isometric Planes.
6. The scale which is used to convert the true length into isometric length is known as
Isometric Scale.

Isometric Scale
Referring to the above Fig., all the edges of the cube are equally foreshortened. Therefore, the
square faces are seen as rhombuses in the isometric projection. The foreshortening of the edge
can be calculated as follows:
𝐵𝐴
= =
1
2
𝐵0
In triangle ABO,
cos 30 0
𝐵𝐴𝐹
√3 1
= √2
= cos
In triangle A’BO,

𝐵0 45 0
1
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𝐴 = ×
𝐼𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑟i𝑐 𝑙𝑒𝑛g𝑡ℎ 𝐵 2 1 9
Therefore, =
𝑇𝑟𝑢𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑛gℎ𝑡 𝐵𝐴 √3 = √2 1
𝐹 1

Conventional Isometric Scale Simplified Isometric Scale

This reduction of the true length can be obtained either by multiplying it by a factor 0.816 or
by taking the measurement with the help of an isometric scale.

Isometric Projection and View

Isometric projection of an object is the front view of the object placed in isometric position.
Isometric projection is the actual projection of the object on V.P. Here as the edges of the
transparent cube are inclined 35016’ to V.P., their projection on VP will have a length of
about 82% of the true length, when measured in the isometric position.
Isometric projection can be drawn directly, using the true length of the dges of the cube along
the isometric axes. As a result, the projection obtained is larger in size than the actual. This
projection is called isometric View or Isometric Drawing.

(a) Multiview projection (b) Isometric projection (c) isometric

view

Dimensioning
The general rules for the dimensioning of multi view projection is applicable for isometric
projection, except the following:
1. All the extension lines and dimension lines should be parallel to the isometric axes
and they should be on any of the isometric planes.
2. The text should be placed at the middle of the dimension line, after breaking it to a
short length.
3. The dimensional values in X direction should be readable from the right side. While
the Y direction from left side and Z direction from the right side respectively.
4. The numerals placed along the three axes should be aligned with the direction of the
axes.

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Problem:
1. Draw the isometric view of a Circle (Isocircle) with a 60mm Diameter on all three
Principle Planes Using Co-ordinate methods?

Solution:
1. Do one of the following:
 On the status bar, click Find.
 At the Command prompt, enter ISODRAFT.
2. Choose which isoplane orientation that you want to use: Left, Right, or Top.
 Press F5 or Ctrl+E to cycle through the different isoplanes
 On the status bar, Isodraft button, click the dropdown arrow and choose an option
 At the Isodraft prompt in the Command window, enter an option
3. At the Command prompt, enter ELLIPSE.
4. At prompt, enter i (Isocircle).
5. The Isocircle option is available only when an isometric drawing plane is active.
6. Specify the center of the isocircle.
7. Specify the radius or diameter of the isocircle.

2. Draw the isometric view of a square of side 40mm kept in (a) vertical Position and (b)
horizontal position

Solution:
1. Do one of the following:
 On the status bar, click Find.
 At the Command prompt, enter ISODRAFT.
2. Choose which isoplane orientation that you want to use: Left, Right, or Top.
 Press F5 or Ctrl+E to cycle through the different isoplanes
 On the status bar, Isodraft button, click the dropdown arrow and choose an option
 At the Isodraft prompt in the Command window, enter an option
3. At the Command prompt, enter Line.
4. The Polyline option is available only when an isometric drawing plane is active.
5. Specify the coordinates of the square to draw the square.

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3. Draw the isometric view of a square prism of base side 40 mm and axis 60 mm resting on
the H.P. on the (a) base with axis perpendicular to the H.P., (b) rectangular face with axis
perpendicular to the V.P., and (c) rectangular face with axis parallel to the V.P.

Solution:
1. At first, you need to change your snap settings to isometric. Type DS on the command
line and press enter.
2. Drafting settings window will pop up from this window select snap and grid tab and
make sure Isometric snap radio button is checked. Click OK to exit drafting settings
window.
3. Now make sure ortho mode is turned on from the status bar, if it is not turned on then
press F8 to turn it on.
4. You can now select isometric plane for your drawing by pressing the F5 key. The
three Isoplanes available for selection are Isoplane top, right and left.
5. Press F5 key to activate Isoplane top and then select line command and click
anywhere in the drawing area to start your line. Specify a direction and type 5 on
the command line then press enter, repeat this process by changing directions of line
to make a closed square

4. A of cone base diameter 30mm and height 40mm rests centrally over a cube of side
50mm. Draw the isometric projection of combination of solids.

Solution:
1. Open the SOFTWARE. Click on the DRAWING in the open dialog box and say OK.
2. To set up the sheet of required size (Ex: A4) by selecting TOOLS from Main Menu
Bar and click on OPTIONS/PROPERTIES. Select document properties in dialog box
appeared and then select drawing in selection panel. Select the required size say A4,
and click OK.

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3. As per the problem draw top and front view of combined solids using suitable
commands.
4. Draw the isometric scale, as per the dimensions of the problem using POLYLINE
command and in format select PL for construction lines draw two lines of iso length
of 50 mm along 30° line as shown. Draw another two lines, using PARALLEL LINE
COMMAND and using TRIM/EXTEND CURVES, so that they are connected
systematically.
5. Draw the vertical lines at corners of parallelogram equal to isometric height of square
prism of 50 mm using POLYLINE command and in format select VL.
6. Join all the top end points using 2 POINT LINE Command and in format select PL to
get top face as shown below.
7. Since the axis of solids is collinear (square prism and cone), identify the center of
rectangle represent it as o. With o as center construct a box of iso length of side 30
mm similar to base drawn earlier as shown using POLYLINE command and in format
select PL.
8. Using 3 POINT CIRCLE command in drafting tool bar. In mode option select arc, and
use three center method draw an ellipse to get the bottom of cone.
9. Using POLYLINE command and in format select AL draw vertical line upwards at
the center of rectangle, equal to the height of cone 40 mm (given) to get apex of the
cone.
10. Using POLYLINE command and in format select VL draw tangential line from
bottom of cone to apex as shown. Trim all the unwanted construction lines by using
SMART DELETE COMMAND.
11. Using SMART DIMENSION Command in drawing tool bar dimension the drawing
as shown. To get a Hard Copy of the standard drawing select print from file menu bar.
Print dialog window will appear select page and change width to Entities and select
the activated button now substitute width 1 as 0.15 mm, width 2 as 0.05 mm, width 3
as 0.5 mm, width 4 as 0.35 mm and say OK. Select print to get a hard copy and finally
save the file. The required standard drawing is as shown below.

5. A hemisphere diameter 50mm is resting on its curved surface centrally on the top face of
frustum of a rectangular pyramid base 80mm x 60mm and top 60mm x 40mm, height
55mm. Draw the isometric projection of combined solids.

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Solution:
1. Open the SOFTWARE. Click on the DRAWING in the open dialog box and say
OK.
2. To set up the sheet of required size (Ex: A4) by selecting TOOLS from Main Menu
Bar and click on OPTIONS/PROPERTIES. Select document properties in dialog
box appeared and then select drawing in selection panel. Select the required size say
A4, and click OK.
3. As per the problem draw top and front view of combined solids using suitable
commands.
4. Draw the isometric scale, as per the dimensions of the problem.
5. Using POLYLINE command and in format select VL for visible edges draw two
lines of iso length of 80 mm and 60 mm along 30° line as shown. Draw another two
lines, using PARALLEL LINE COMMAND and using TRIM/EXTEND CURVES
so that, they are connected systematically.
6. Using POLYLINE command and in format select AL draw vertical line upwards at
the center of rectangle, equal to the height of rectangular frustum 55 mm (given).
7. At top end of vertical line drawn, using POLYLINE command and in format select
VL for visible edges draw two lines of iso length of 60 mm and 40 mm along 30° line
as shown. Draw another two lines, using PARALLEL LINE COMMAND and using
TRIM/EXTEND CURVES so that, they are connected systematically.
8. Join all the relevant corners of top to base frustum using 2 POINT LINE command
and in format select VL to get frustum as shown below.
9. Since the axis of solids is collinear (hemisphere and rectangular pyramid), identify the
center of rectangle represent it as o. With o as center using POLYLINE command and
in format select AL draw vertical line upwards at the center o of height equal to height
of hemisphere 25 mm (given). Construct a box of iso length of side 50 mm to fit top
face of hemisphere using POLYLINE command and in format select PL.
10. Using 3 POINT CIRCLE command in drafting tool bar. In mode option select arc, and
select 3 points on rectangle draw a top face of hemisphere.
11. Using CENTER CIRCLE command in drafting tool bar. In mode option select arc,
with center as center of top face of hemisphere and radius as actual radius of
hemisphere draw an arc, so that it touches the top face of hemisphere and passes
through the center of top face of the rectangle frustum.
12. Trim all the unwanted construction lines by using SMART DELETE COMMAND.
Using SMART DIMENSION command in drawing tool bar dimension the drawing as
shown. To get a Hard Copy of the standard drawing select print from file menu bar.
Print dialog window will appear select page and change width to Entities and select
the activated button now substitute width 1 as 0.15 mm, width 2 as 0.05 mm, width 3
as 0.5 mm, width 4 as 0.35 mm and say OK. Select print to get a hard copy and finally
save the file. The required standard drawing is as shown below.

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Transformation of Projections

Introduction
Projection: Projection is defined as an Image or drawing of the object made on a plane. The
lines form the object to the Plane are called projectors.

Methods of Projections: In Engineering drawing the following four methods of Projection

are commonly used they are
Orthographic Projection
Isometric projection
Oblique projection
Perspective Projection

In orthographic projection an object is represented by two are three views on the mutual
perpendicular projection planes each projection view represents two dimensions of an object.

In iso, oblique and perspective projections represents the object by a pictorial view as eyes
see it. In these methods of projects in three dimensional object is represented on a projection
plane by one view only.

OrthographicProjection
When the Projectors are parallel to each other and also perpendicular to the plane the
projection is called orthographic Projection
Example: Orthographic projection of a car shown in below figure

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Orthographic Projection is a way of drawing an 3D object from different directions.

Usually a front, side and plan view is drawn so that a person looking at the drawing can
see all the important sides. Orthographic drawings are useful especially when a design
has been developed to a stage where by it is almost ready to manufacture.

Plane of projection: Two planes employed for the purpose of orthographic projections
are called reference planes or planes of projection. They are intersecting each other at
right angle to each other the vertical plane of projection is usually denoted by the letters
VP and the other Plane is horizontal plane of Projection is denoted by HP. The line in
which they intersect is termed as the reference line and is denoted by the letters XY.

Problems
1. The front and top views of a casting are shown in Fig. Draw its isometric view.

2. The front and top views of a casting are shown in Fig. Draw its isometric view

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3. The front and top views of an angle plate are shown in Fig. Draw its isometric view.

4. The front and top views of an angle plate are shown in Fig. Draw its isometric view.

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5. The front and top views of an angle plate are shown in Fig. Draw its isometric view.

6. The front and side views of an angle plate are shown in Fig. Draw its isometric view.

7. The front and top views of a casting are shown in Fig. Draw its isometric view.

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Solved Problems
1. To generate 3D Wireframe model as shown in figure, using 3D Absolute Coordinate
Method and 3D Rectangular Coordinate Method.

Solution
Command: -VPOINT ( )
 Current view direction: VIEWDIR=0.0000, 0.0000, 1.0000
 Specify a view point or [Rotate] <display compass and tripod>: 1,-1,1 ( )
 Regenerating model.
Command: UCS ( )
 Current ucs name:
*WORLD*
 Enter an option [New/Move/orthoGraphic/Prev/Restore/ .. ./World] <World>: ( )
Command: ZOOM ( )
 Specifycorner of window, enter a scale factor (nX or
nXP), or [All/Center/Dynamic/Extents/Previous/Scale/ ... ] < real time>: ALL (
)
Command: LINE ( )
 Specify first point: 0,0,0 ( )
 Specify next point or [Undo]: 50,0,0 ( )
 Specify next point or [Undo]: 50,80,0 ( )
 Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: 0,80,0 ( )
 Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: C (
) Command: LINE ( )
 Specify first point: 50,0,0 ( )
 Specify next point or [Undo]: @0,0,40 ( )
 Specify next point or [Undo]: @0,20,0 ( )
 Specify next point or [Close/Undo]:
@0,20,-15 ( )
 Specify next point or [Close/Undo]:
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 Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: @0,20,0 ( )

 Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: @0,0,-40 ( )
 Specify next point or
[Close/Undo]: ( ) Command: LINE
()
 Specify first point: 0,0,0 ( )
 Specify next point or [Undo]:
@0,0,40 ( )
 Specify next point or [Undo]:
@0,20,0 ( )
 Specify next point or [Close/Undo]:
@0,20,-15 ( )
 Specify next point or [Close/Undo]:
@0,20, 15 ( )
 Specify next point or [Close/Undo]:
@0,20,0 ( )
 Specify next point or [Close/Undo]:
@0,0,-40 ( )
 Specify next point or [Close/Undo]:
( )

Command: _qsave
Command:
_dimaligned
Specify first extension
line origin or <select
object>:
Specify second extension
line origin:
Command: _dimlinear
Specify first extension
line origin or <select
object>:
Specify second extension
line origin:
Specify dimension line location or [Mtext/Text/Angle/Horizontal/Vertical/Rotated]:
Dimension text = 48.0000
Command: _dimedit
Enter type of dimension editing [Home/New/Rotate/Oblique] <Home>: _o
Select objects: 1 found
Enter obliquing angle (press ENTER for none): 30
Command: _qsave

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2. Draw the following figure using ACAD

Solution
COMMANDS USED
Line, Dimensions, Drafting commands

PROCEDURE
Command: -VPOINT ( )
 Current view direction: VIEWDIR=0.0000, 0.0000, 1.0000
 Specify a view point or [Rotate] <display compass and tripod>: 1,-1,1 ( )
 Regenerating model.
Command: UCS ( )
 Current ucs name:
*WORLD*
 Enter an option [New/Move/orthoGraphic/Prev/Restore/ .. ./World] <World>: ( )
Command: ZOOM ( )
 Specifycorner of window, enter a scale factor (nX or
nXP), or [All/Center/Dynamic/Extents/Previous/Scale/ ... ] < real time>: ALL (
)

<Ortho on> <Isoplane Top> <Osnap on>

Command: LINE ( )
Specify next point or [Undo]: @ 0,0,0
Specify next point or [Undo]: @ 72,0,0
Specify next point or [Undo]: @ 72,104,0
Specify next point or [Undo]: @ 0,104,0
Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: C ( )

Command: LINE ( )
Specify next point or [Undo]: @ 0,0,0
Specify next point or [Undo]: @ 0,48,0
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Specify next point or [Undo]: @ 24,0,0

Specify next point or [Undo]: @ 24,-16,0
Specify next point or [Undo]: @ 24,0,0
Specify next point or [Undo]: @ 24,-16,0
Specify next point or [Undo]: @ 24,0,0
Specify next point or [Undo]: @ 24,-16,0
Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: C ( )
Command: LINE ( )
Specify next point or [Undo]: @ 0,0,0
Specify next point or [Undo]: @ 72,16,0
Specify next point or [Undo]: @ 80,0,24
Specify next point or [Undo]: @ -80,0,0
Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: C ( )
Command: LINE ( )
Specify next point or [Undo]: @ 72,32,24
Specify next point or [Undo]: @ 80,0,24
Specify next point or [Undo]: @ -80,0,0
Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: C ( )
Command: LINE ( )
Specify next point or [Undo]: @ 0,48,0
Specify next point or [Undo]: @ 104,0, 72
Specify next point or [Undo]: @ -24,0, 72
Specify next point or [Undo]: @ -24,0, 48
Specify next point or [Undo]: @ 24,0, 0
Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: C ( )

Command: _qsave
Command:
_dimaligned
Specify first extension
line origin or <select
object>:
Specify second extension
line origin:
Command: _dimlinear
Specify first extension
line origin or <select
object>:
Specify second extension
line origin:
Specify dimension line location or [Mtext/Text/Angle/Horizontal/Vertical/Rotated]:
Dimension text = 48.0000
Command: _dimedit
Enter type of dimension editing [Home/New/Rotate/Oblique] <Home>: _o
Select objects: 1 found
Enter obliquing angle (press ENTER for none): 30
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Convert Isometric to Orthographic

1. Draw the (i) Front view (ii) Top View (iii) Side view of the Following Isometric
Drawings using AutoCAD

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