CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO TECHNICAL DRAFTING

LESSON 1: Core Concept of Technical Drafting

About the Lesson

This lesson tackles about the core concept of technical drafting which
includes its fundamental principles, definition, importance, and its basic function
in the construction industry that would lead to specialization of its key areas such
as architectural and structural layout and details. In order to have a thorough
understanding about the topics, you will be tasked to engage yourself in writing
an essay related to the topic and answer a short quiz to check the extent of
knowledge you acquired in this lesson. Reviewing the lesson thoroughly is the
key to effectively accomplish the desired result better than skimming.

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to:

1. expound the fundamental principles and concept of technical drafting;

2. discover the importance and function of technical drafting in the
construction industry; and,
3. acquire important set of information needed to prepare yourself in drafting
architectural and structural layout and details

TIME ALLOTMENT

240 minutes (4 hours)

LEARNING OUTPUTS

LO1: Learn the core concepts and underlying principles of technical drafting

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LEARNING ACTIVITIES:

Opening Activity: Name the Basic

Let’s test your knowledge on basic drawing and drafting! List

down at least five (5) basic tools and materials used in manual drawing.

1. _______________________
2. _______________________
3. _______________________
4. _______________________
5. _______________________

What is Technical Drafting (also known as Technical

Drawing)?

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 • Is the act and discipline of composing plans that visually communicate
how something functions or has to be constructed. (www.definitions.net)
• A precise and detailed drawing of an object, as employed in architecture
or engineering. (Oxford Dictionary)
• A precise drawing of an object or structure (ex: component or a building)
with the aid of drawing instruments (ex: T-squares, triangles, computers).
• Alson known as engineering drawing, because it is one of the best ways
to communicate one's ideas through some form of picture or drawing for
the engineers.

Technical - Involving or needing special skills or knowledge, especially in

science or engineering (the design and building of machines, equipment,
and structures).
- Cambridge Dictionary

Drafting – A piece of writing or drawing that is done early in the development of

a work to help prepare it in its final form.
- Cambridge Dictionary

Drawing

A graphic representation of an object and is widely used forms of graphic

communication. This is often the result of a creative mind of an individual,
whether by profession or just a hobby. Graphic communication always involves
visual materials such as sketches, drawings, photographs and other medium that
uses visual image to convey a message or instruction.

Two Types of Drawing

1. Artistic Drawing – used to express the feelings, belief, philosophy and

ideas of the artist often in a subtle or abstract approach which gives
various interpretations.

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 2. Technical Drawing – is a means of communicating all of the information
to transform an idea or concept into reality, often contains not only a
graphic representation of a subject but also dimensions, notes and
specifications.

Types of Technical Drawing

Based on the fundamental principles of projections, technical drawing

represents an entity of an imaginary plane to be visualized in different distinctive
angle. There are four components of projection which can be interpreted by the
movie screen such as:

1. The actual object that the drawing or projection represents

2. The eye of the viewer looking at the object
3. The imaginary projection plane
4. Imaginary lines of sight called Projectors

Types of Projection

1. Parallel Projection – a type of projection from which projectors are

parallel to the picture planes.

Three Classification of Parallel Projection

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1. Orthographic Projection – projection with multi-view projections
that show flat view of the original object.

2. Oblique Projection – projection that show the actual size of the

object.

3. Axonometric Projection – projection that show three-dimensional

view of the object with three varieties such as isometric, diametric
and trimetric.

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 2. Perspective Projection – a type of projection which replicates the actual
view of the human eye when looking at the object.

Three Types of Perspective Projection

1. One-point Projection -

2. Two-point Projection -

3. Three-point Projection -

Forms of Technical Drawing

• Manual Drawing – a traditional practice of creating drawings by hand.
• Computer Aided Drawing (CAD) – refers to the use of computers to
create graphical representations of physical objects to assist in the design
process.

Elements of Technical Drawing

• Graphic Language – describe a shape

• Word Language – describe size, location and specification of the object

Importance of Technical Drawing

To achieve the intended output of a product that is to be manufactured,

assembled, fabricated, constructed or built, technical drawing or draft of the
design must be first to accomplished.

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 The following are the importance of systematic procedure and the design
process of technical drawing:

 Help streamline the manufacturing process

 Significantly helps builders create objects without errors, delays and other
costly issues
 Allows communication among engineers more efficient

Application of Technical Drawing

Almost all field of production used technical drawing in their setting which
involves design, but most common application of it are highly needed in
manufacturing, engineering and construction as their blue print to transform the
idea to reality.

In engineering and construction, technical drawing of projects such as

building, bridges, roads and dams are required to produce to systematically
manage the whole process in all aspects for their blue print.

In manufacturing, technical drawing of a product such as toys, furniture,

equipment and machines are needed avoid errors in assembly instructions for
the machine operators. This includes technical drawing of component and circuit
board in electronics manufacturing.

What are the things that you normally see in technical drawing?
1. Dimensions – the measurements of an object (length, width, height),
normally centered above the dimension line.
2. Dimension lines – the system of lines in technical drawing that indicates
the distances between objects which is normally end with arrow, dots, tick
mark and slash.
3. Extension lines – are lines that extend past a dimension and connects
them to an object.
4. Drawings may include objects that have been heavily hatched or filled to
make an object stand out.
5. Lines - Usually the heaviest lines on a drawing, object lines show the
edges of an object.
6. Drawings may include notes to provide more information.
7. A set of prints or plans may have a legend on the first sheet to explain all
symbols used in a drawing or map.
8. North arrow - is a symbol on a map that shows which direction is north.
This symbol is not necessarily the shape of an arrow.
9. A Graphic scale is a visual representation of the scale used to measure or
create a drawing.

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POSSIBLE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Technical drawing professionals, commonly referred to as drafters or CAD

operators, produce drawings and plans for a wide range of fields. Their drawings
provide visual aids and blueprints for construction and factory workers, engineers
and architects. Following are some of the most common career options for
drafters.

Architectural Drafting

Technical drawing professionals can work in the housing or construction

industry composing drawings for architects or adding details to existing
blueprints. They may be required to draft blueprints for houses and other
buildings, or for renovations to existing structures. Alternatively, they may be
asked to translate physical blueprints and sketches to electronic versions in order
to present clients with digital representations of proposed projects. Professionals
in this field must have knowledge of building techniques.

Civil Engineering Drafting

Technical drawing professionals can find jobs working with engineers in

large engineering firms. They will produce renditions for building projects,
including bridges and dams and other structures. Workers in this field might be
required to have advanced math skills. They may be asked to estimate quantities
of building materials or determine certain design requirements. Additionally they
could be required to create three-dimensional models of a proposed project, built
to scale.

Electrical Drafting

Electrical drafters prepare wiring diagrams that construction workers use

to install and repair electrical equipment and wiring in power plants, electrical
distribution systems, and residential and commercial buildings.

Electronics Drafting

Another career option for drafters is in the field of electronics drafting.

Workers in this sector will create the blueprints for circuit boards and other
electronic components. They will be required to create manual drawings as well
as computer aided renditions of designs. Workers in this field might need a
background in electronics as well as advanced math courses.

Manufacturing Drafting

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 Drawing or drafting tradesmen are needed in the manufacturing field to
prepare drawings of products such as furniture, toys, equipment and machines.
They draw manufacturing and assembly instructions for manufacturers. For many
of these products, they are required to offer manually composed designs,
including freehand drawings. These workers need basic math skills as well as
artistic ability.

ACTIVITY 1: LET’S TRY!

Directions: To check your understanding of the lesson, try to
distinguish the kinds of drafter they belong by filling up the table
below. Choose your answers from the job cloud.

 Wiring diagram draft

 PCB diagram draft
 Machine diagram draft
 Road plan draft
 House floor plan
 Bridge plan
 Interior design plan
 Toy plan draft
 Foundation plan
 Roof framing plan

CIVIL ARCHITECTURAL ELECTRONICS ELECTRICAL MECHANICAL

NOTE: Good Job! You have finished the task. Check yourself by reviewing the
discussion above.

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Remember:
Drafting is a technical term for drawing and is different from sketching.
Drafting is based on precise calculation and carefully made with respect to the
actual design with the use of drafting tools, while sketching is based on
approximate with the aid of just pencil and paper, hence, inaccurate.

ACTIVITY 2: LET’S DO IT!

Directions: Classify the different pictures as to what type of
drawing they belong to. Write only ARTISTIC DRAWING or
TECHNICAL DRAWING.

________________________ ________________________

________________________ ________________________

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 ________________________ ________________________

ACTIVITY 3: SELF CHECK!

ASSESSMENT

Part I. Directions: Read each statement carefully and identify the following
statement. Write your answer before each number.

________________________1. It is a discipline of composing drawing or plans

that visually tell functions of something or how it has to be constructed.

________________________2. It involves special skills or knowledge especially

in science or engineering.

________________________3. It represents technical drawing in different visual

angle.

________________________4. Can be define as skills in transferring idea into a

piece of paper whether in writing or drawing.

________________________5. It is the most common mode of communication

through graphic.

Part II. Directions: Write T if the statement is true and F if the statement is false.

_____6. Technical drawing is also known as engineering drawing.

_____7. Technical drawing is not part of the design process of a product.
_____8. Drafting is a technical term for drawing.
_____9. Technical drafting is with the use of pencil and paper alone.
_____10. Manual drafting is a traditional way of making drawings.

Part III. Directions: List down at least five (5) basic parts of the house.

11. ________________________________
12. ________________________________
13. ________________________________

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 14. ________________________________
15. ________________________________

Part IV. Directions: Describe your understanding about the following types of
language in technical drawing. Minimum of three (3) sentences.

16-30. Graphic Language

________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

31-45. Word Language

________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

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