How to read Isometric drawing

1- A pipe into a isometric view, is always drawn by a single line.

2- This single line is the centerline of the pipe, and from that line, the
dimensions measured. So, not from the outside of a pipe or fitting.
3- The image below shows a orthographic view of a butt welded pipe
with three sizes (A, B, C).

4- The above drawing is very simple and quick to implement.

5- The red lines show the pipe, the black dots are the butt welds and A, B and C are
the dimensions of front to center line and center line to center line.
Routing starting point X

• pipe runs to the east

• pipe runs up
• pipe runs to the north
• pipe runs to the west
• pipe runs down

Routing starting point X

• pipe runs to the south

• pipe runs up
• pipe runs to the west
• pipe runs to the north
• pipe runs down
Routing starting point X

• pipe runs to the south

• pipe runs up
• pipe runs up and to the west
• pipe runs up
• pipe runs to the west
• pipe runs to the north-west
• pipe runs to the north

Routing starting point X

• pipe runs to the south

• pipe runs up
• pipe runs up and to the north-
west
• pipe runs to the north
Routing starting point X

• pipe runs up
• pipe runs up and to the east
• pipe runs up

Routing starting point X

• pipe runs up
• pipe runs up and to the north
• pipe runs up
 Routing starting point X

• pipe runs up
• pipe runs up and to the north-
west
• pipe runs to the north

Important Notes
The Iso, as isometric are commonly referred, is oriented on the grid relative to the north arrow found on plan
drawings. Because iso's are not drawn to scale, dimensions are required to specify exact lengths of piping
runs.
Pipe lengths are determined through calculations using coordinates and elevations. Vertical lengths
of pipe are calculated using elevations, while horizontal lengths are caculated using north-south
and east-west coordinates.
ISOMETRIC SYMBOLS