UNDERSTANDING MEASUREMENTS IN DRAFTING

For any drafting or drawing presentation, the ability to interpret correctly any subject
or object will always be the most sought. The ability to interpret ‘scripts’ or technical
sketches from designers, engineers and architects is one the most basic yet very
important factor in good drafting. Another important factor in drafting is the ability to
measure, or interpret measurements.
Measurements and dimensioning in drafting are the key for precision drawing.
Your measurements should always be exact and precise.
The value of units in every drawing should be done with so much attention that any
small mistakes will affect the whole presentation.
In 2D drafting we interpret drawings as orthographical, flat and on-face or surface
presentation. Measurements and dimensioning for this type of presentation will be of
linear, oblique or aligned.
Measurements can be done from one edge to another edge of ‘face’ of the object to
show its HEIGHT, LENGTH or THICHNESS AND WIDTH or SPAN.
It can also be done in arcs and circles to show its diameter or radius. And also for
angular lines or drawings to show its degrees of inclination.
Here’s some samples of 2D presentation.
Units could be metric or imperial
For Metric you have your- millimeter (mm)
centimeter (cm)
meter (m)
For imperial you have your- inches (in, “)
feet (ft, ‘)
For angles we use degrees (º), degrees and minutes (º,”), degrees,
minutes and second (º,’,”)
For arcs and circles we use radius (r,R) and diameter (d, D, Ө)

Here’s some sample of dimensioning on 2D surfaces

Activity for today.
ACTIVITY 2.0

Copy the following sketches, do the required drawings using your favorite CAD apps.
Follow and do the required measurements accurately. USE UNIT OF YOUR CHOICE,
IT COULD BE MM OR CM.