Technical drawing is a form of design communication based on line symbols

recognized and understood worldwide. Hence, technical drawing is often

referred to as a universal language understood (readable) by anyone regardless
of the language they speak. Contractors, estimators, tradesmen and builders
rely totally on technical drawings for the information they need to build,
construct and manufacture a product. To work in design and manufacturing
industries, the study of technical drawing –ability to prepare, read and interpret
technical drawing is essential.

ALPHABET OF LINES, also known as “line symbols” are line symbols used in technical
drawing. This enables engineers and designers to express 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.
 Line significance is conveyed by line weight or thickness of the line. Every
line is drawn at different thickness and darkness to express contrast as
well as importance. Lines that are less important are thin and light.
 The standard thick line weight varies from .030 to 0.38 of an inch.
 The standard thin line weight varies from .015 to .022 of an inch.
 The key to successful drafting is to have a good technical knowledge of
these various line characteristics – to understand where and when to
apply them in technical drawing.

11 Main Line Types

1. Object or Visible Line – thick, dark line used to show the outline of the object. It also defines
features you can see in a particular view.
2. Construction Line – lines that are very light and very thin use to construct layout work
3. Dimension line – dark, heavy lines that show the length, width, and height of the features of an
object. It is terminated with arrowheads or tick markings at the end.
4. Hidden Line – light, narrow, short dash lines used to show non-visible surfaces in orthographic
view. Shown as a medium in thickness, It is used to help clarify a feature but can be omitted if
they clutter a drawing.
5. Center Line – long and shot dash lines. It usually indicates center of holes, slots, paths of
rotation, and symmetrical objects. Its line is thin and dark.
6. Extension Line – a light line that extends from the edge or end of a main object line on a drawing
and is used in conjunction with dimension lines to help determine the dimension of a particular
feature. This must have at least a 1/16 th space between the object and the extension line.
7. Cutting Plane Line – extra thick line used to show cutaways views or plane of projection where a
section view is taken. The arrow indicates the direction of the view.
8. Leader Line – a thin line used to connect a dimension line with a particular area or point on the
drawing. It is used to show notes or labels that is too large to be placed beside the feature itself.
9. Phantom Line – long line that is followed by two short dashes used to show alternate position of
a moving part. This can also show how two or more parts go together without having to draw
the dimension of both parts. It has three purposes:
 1. show the alternate position of moving parts;
2. show the relationship of parts that fit together; and
3. show repeated detail.
10. Short-break line – thick wavy line that is used to break the edge of a surface of a part for clarity
on a hidden surface.
11. Long-break line – long, thin lines that is used to show that the middle section of an object has
been removed so it can be drawn on a smaller piece of paper.