Line Weights

Thursday, August 19, 2021 8:26 PM

LINE WEIGHTS

Weight refers to the strength, heaviness, or a darkness of a line against the background
(paper or media). It can be achieved through different thickness (pencil), intensities
(strokes on one line), and sometimes even different patterns - dashes, dots etc.

Video about Line Weights

RELEVANCE

To show relationships in time or space.

For example, a dashed line might show an existing portion of a house has been removed, a
different stage of construction might be shown lighter, or an element which is
underground and can't really be 'seen' might be marked by a lightly dashed 'hidden line'.

To create depth.
Architects are always converting 3-Dimensional spatial ideas into 2-Dimensional drawings.
Key to this process is the ability to develop a sense of dimension and depth within a 2-D
drawing. You can use a variety of line weights within a drawing to establish a sense of
depth. Darkest line weights come to the front, while lighter, finer lines fall into the
background.

To establish a hierarchy.
Architects select line weights carefully, to bring the viewer's attention to particular part of
the drawing that they identify as important first. Traditionally, the most important
information is rendered in the deepest, heaviest line.
Taking this one further step, you might also consider the presence or absence of lines, and
what is visible in the drawing. Using different line weights, or at an extreme, erasing
elements completely, allows you to edit what should be present and communicated.

To add legibility and clarity to a dense drawing.

When your drawings need to communicate a lot of different and often overlapping
information, clarity is key. Using different line weights allows you to distinguish one type
of information from another, and to guide how the eye moves around the drawing - both
elements which are key to achieving legibility and clarity.

USE

1. Proximity
Here, the typical rule is the closer the object, the darker the line; the further away, the
lighter the line. This is because read thicker, heavier lines as being closest to us, whereas
lighter lines recede into the background.

2. Materiality
Depending on the scale of the drawing, you may show more or less information about the
specific elements and materials which make up a wall. Sometimes you may give no
indication of materials at all, and adopt an outline-only style, or infill walls and other
elements with poche.

Poche - a way of making a drawing solid.

3. Importance & Hierarchy

Heavier, darker lines suggest more importance, so you need to be selective about what
information you are showing in your drawings, and the line weights you attribute to
different elements. This is a personal decision making process which can vary from
drawing to drawing.

4. Cut (Hidden lines)

Architects use a number of drawings which rely on 'cuts' to reveal things we would not
normally see. The standard rule is that anything that is cut through to produce the
drawing will be a very heavy line weight.

5. Outlines, edges and surfaces

This rule comes into play when drawing 3-dimensional forms in axonometric, isometric or
perspective. The 'outline' or 'silhouette' of an object - where the object ends and the
space around it begins - are typically treated with the darkest lines. Mid-weight lines are
used for other edges, which denote a change in plane, but aren't set against the
background. Light-weight lines are used for any detail, texture, or elements which are
embedded within or on the surfaces of the planes.

6. Scale
Remember that line weights are most useful when a variety are used in relation to each
other. This is related to scale. As you zoom in to parts of a project, you should manage the
relative line weights within the drawing.
For example, in a 1:200 plan, a pane of glass might be demarcated by a single, light-weight
line. At 1:50 scale, the glass might be two mid-weight lines, and at 1:5, 12 light-weight
lines, with a mid-weight line on either outside edge.
Anthropometry
Monday, September 20, 2021 1:05 AM

Anthropometry is the systematic measurement of the physical properties of the human body.

Design for the Average.:

Design for Adjustability:

Design for Extremes:

Ergonomics
This is the study of the efficiency of people in relation to their working environment.
Instruments & Materials
Thursday, August 19, 2021 8:17 PM

1. T-Square
• 18 inches
• 24 inches
• 30 inches
• 36 inches
• 42 inches

2. Triangles
• 30° - 60°
• 45° - 45°

3. Scale (Triangle scale/fan scale)

• 1:20
• 1:50
• 1:100
• 1:200
• 1:500

4. Pencil
• HB
• 2B

5. Technical Pen
• 0.3
• 0.50
• 0.6

6. Drawing Paper
• Buff Paper 20x30
• Snow white paper 20x30

7. Miscellaneous
• Plastic Eraser
• Eraser Guide
• Retractable
Lettering
Tuesday, August 24, 2021 1:29 PM

Lettering
Pencil Techniques

• The best pencil for lettering on most surfaces are the H, F, and HB grades.
• Hold your pencil in the position shown. It should make approximately a 60° angle with the paper.
• Developing good lettering is a personal skill which takes practice. Letters must be formed properly.
• They must be open shaped very legible.
• Clear communication is essential to avoid mistakes and reduce waste.
• Lettering may be done using a drafting type pencil, lead holder or technical pen. Which ever tool is used, the letters must
properly formed and very black.

FREEHAND LETTERING
Vertical capitals

Vertical capital letters are preferred for most technical work. They are formed within a 6x6 grid.

STRAIGHT LINE LETTERS

Most letters are slightly narrower than they are tall. The shapes of the letters are as open as possible. Letters with small loops and
crossing strokes are avoided.

This sequence is recommended to assure that each letter is the correct width in relation in height. For example, form the two
vertical sides of the "H", "N", and "M" first. Form the top of the "T" first.

• The "H" and "N" are slightly narrower that they are tall.
• The "T" and the "M" are just as wide as they are tall

Note: Proportion: width vs. height is very important in forming letters.

SINGLE STROKE GOTHIC LETTERING

LETTERING ERRORS

STROKES

Notes:
• Have a uniform spacing in between your letters
Alphabet of Lines & Basic Dimensioning
Friday, October 1, 2021 1:36 PM

Alphabet of lines
Line symbols used in technical drawing are often referred to as the alphabet of lines.

The use of line symbols enables engineers/designers to express the features of designed products
clearly and accurately. Line features vary not only by width but also by how they are graphically
represented in a drawing.

1. Object/visible lines
- Thick, dark line used to shadow: Outline of object, visible edges and surfaces

2. Phantom Line
- Long-short-short-long lines
- Most often used to show the travel or movement of an object or a part in alternate positions
- Can also be used to show adjacent objects or features

3. Dimension line
- Thin lines used to show the actual size of an object
- There are arrowheads at both end that terminate at the extension lines.
4. Hidden line
- Short dash lines used to show non-visible surfaces.
- Usually shows as medium thickness

5. Center line
- Long and short dash lines
- Usually indicates center of holes, circles and arcs. Line is thin and dark.

6. Extension line
- Thin and dark line use to show the starting and ending of dimension.

7. Cutting plane line

- Extra thick lines which help to show the internal shape at a part or assembly by slicing through the
object
- Arrow indicates the direction of view.

8. Page break/ break line

- There are three kinds of break lines used in drawings. They are used to remove, or ‘break out”
part of a drawing for clarity, and to shorten objects which have the same shape throughout their
length and may be too long to place on the drawing.

- Short and long break lines are used for flat surfaces. Cylindrical are used on rods, dowels, etc.

9. Leader line
- Medium line with arrowhead to show notes or label for size or special information about a feature
 10. Section line
- Fine, dark lines
- Used to show the cut surfaces of an object in section views
- Various types of section lines may indicate the type of material cut by the cutting plane line

Common Floor Plan Symbols

Common Floor Plan Abbreviations

A/C or AC: Air Conditioning

BD: Board
BLDG: Building
B/O: By Others
BR: Bedroom

CAB: Cabinet
CO: Clean Out
COL: Column
CONC: Concrete
CMU: Concrete Masonry Unit
CONST: Construction
CONT: Continuous

DIA: Diameter
DIM: Dimension
DW: Dishwasher
DR: Door
DS: Downspout

ELEV: Elevation
EQ: Equal
EXT: Exterior

FCB fiber Cement Board

FLR: Floor
FTG: Footing

Application
Basic Dimensioning
A floor plan is carefully dimensioned to ensure that items such as walls, columns, doors, windows,
openings, stairs, and other particulars are correctly located for construction. Dimensioning is done in a
hierarchical manner. Buildings, structural framework, rooms, and fixtures are dimensioned in decreasing
size order

The actual number of dimensions on a plan is dependent upon how much latitude the designer affords
the contractor. An over dimensioned plan allows the builder little freedom to make field adjustments or
substitute cost-saving techniques. However, too few dimensions can produce a lot of guesswork and
increase the chances for error in the field and in coordination between subcontractors.

Dimensioning Techniques
Dimensions are placed on the floor plan. Note that the dimension lines are drafted lighter than wall lines
and are generally done as a continuous group or string of numbers along a line. The extension line
begins slightly away from the object, never touching it. Arrows, dots, or 45-degree tick marks (most
common) are used at the extension line and dimension line junction. The arrows, dots, or tick marks are
drawn with a thicker and/or darker line to make them stand out graphically. The 45-degree tick marks
are drawn in a consistent direction.

Dimensioning on a floor plan usually requires two or three continuous dimension lines to locate exterior
walls, wall jogs, interior walls, windows, doors, and other elements. Exterior walls of a building are
dimensioned outside the floor plan. The outermost dimension line is the overall building dimension.
Other miscellaneous details in the plan (such as minor offsets, jogs, or cabinetry and fixtures) are
located on a third dimension line. This hierarchy of line work allows the carpenters and other trades to
quickly locate major framing elements and minor details by referring to the appropriate dimension line.

A leader is used to indicate the distance of 1'-3J'2" from a wall corner to the check-in shelf on this partial
plan, as the space within the dimension line is too small to letter in.
Orthographic Projection
is a way of presenting a 3D object