PROJECTION OF LINE

Projection of Line

 A straight line is the shortest distance between any two

points in space.
 A line represents the locus of a point moving along a fixed
linear path in space.
 As a line consists of a number of points, its projections
are drawn by joining the projections of any two points on
the line (preferably the end points) or on the extension of
the line.
 RP`S means VP and HP.
 Projection of Line
Information regarding a line means it’s length, position
of it’s ends with HP & VP, it’s inclinations with HP & VP will be
given.

AIM:- TO DRAW IT’S PROJECTIONS - MEANS FV & TV.

SIMPLE CASES OF THE LINE

1. LINE PARALLEL TO BOTH HP & VP.
2. A VERTICAL LINE ( LINE PERPENDICULAR TO HP & // TO VP)
3. LINE INCLINED TO HP & PARALLEL TO VP.
4. LINE INCLINED TO VP & PARALLEL TO HP.
5. LINE INCLINED TO BOTH HP & VP.
 Terms used in Projections of Lines
🠶 True Length (TL): The actual length of a line is called its true length.

🠶 Plan Length (PL) or Top View Length: The apparent length of a line seen in TV is
called the plan length or top view length.

🠶 Elevation Length (EL) or Front View Length: The apparent length of a line seen in
FV is called the elevation length or front view length.

🠶 Side View Length (SVL): The apparent length of a line seen in SV is called its side
view length.

🠶 Inclination with the HP (θ): It is the true angle that a line makes with its
projection on the HP. It is indicated by θ (True inclination with HP).

🠶 Inclination with the VP (Φ): It is the true angle that a line makes with its
projection on the VP. It is indicated by Φ (True inclination with VP).
 Terms used in Projections of Lines
🠶 Apparent Angle with the HP (α): It is the angle which an oblique line seems
to be making with the HP in FV. It is the angle between FV and XY. It is
indicated by α.

🠶 Apparent Angle with the VP (β): It is the angle which an oblique line seems
to be making with the VP in TV. It is the angle between TV and XY. It is
indicated by β.

🠶 Horizontal Trace (HT): The point of intersection of the line (or its extension)
with the HP is called the horizontal trace of the line.

🠶 Vertical Trace (VT): The point of intersection of the line (or its extension)
with the VP is called the vertical trace of the line.

🠶 Point View of the Line: The view of a line seen as a point (i.e., when the
views of two ends coincide) is called the point view.
 LINE PARALLEL TO BOTH THE PLANES
For TV
V.P.
Note:
FV & TV both are a’ Fv b’
b’ // to xy
B &
a’ both show T
A Y L
X Y

b
a b
X Tv
a

H.P.

• General Observations :
• If a line is parallel to HP or VP then its TL will be visible in TV or
FV respectively.
• FV and TV, will be parallel to XY and both will show the TL.
• If a line is parallel to both the HP and the VP, it must be
perpendicular to the PP. Therefore, point A and point B will
coincide in SV of the line. Hence, the LHSV is a point view.
 LINE PARALLEL TO BOTH THE PLANES

1. Line AB 50mm long is placed in a first quadrant. It is

parallel HP and VP. It is 20mm above HP and 30mm in front of
VP. Draw its Projections.
Orthographic Pattern
NOTE:
FV & TV BOTH ARE
For TV
// TO XY V.P. FV
& 50
a’ b’
b’ BOTH SHOW T. L.
B
a’ 20
30
A Y
x y

20 30
b

X b
a TV
a

H.P
.
 LINE PARALLEL TO BOTH THE PLANES

2. Line AB 50mm long is placed in a first quadrant. Its

side view is a point and it is 60 mm from the
intersection of HP and VP. It is equidistant from both
the reference planes. Draw the projections and
specify the position of a line.
 LINE PERPENDICULAR TO EITHER OF THE RPs
For TV Orthographic Pattern
V.P
a’ Note: a’
.
A FV is a vertical line
Fv
FV Showing True Length
& b’
b’
Y
TV is a point.
X Y
B

TV a b
X Tv a
b

H.P
.
General Observations :
• If a line is perpendicular to the HP, it will automatically be parallel to
the VP and PP. Hence, its FV will show the TL.
• TV will be a point, wherever two (or more) points overlap, the
visible
point should be marked first.
• TV is marked as a, b. It means that a is visible and b is hidden. The
hidden point(s) may be enclosed in parenthesis ( ), e.g., a( b).
 LINE PERPENDICULAR TO EITHER OF THE RPs

3. Line AB 50mm long is placed in a first quadrant. It is

perpendicular to HP and parallel VP. It is 20mm above HP and
30mm in front of VP. Draw its Projections.
Orthographic Projection
For TV

V.P b’
b’
B
.
50

a’
a’ 50
Y 20
30
x y
A
20 30

X ab
ab

H.P
.
 LINE PERPENDICULAR TO EITHER OF THE RPs

4. Line PQ of 50mm length. The top view of

line is a point which lies 20mm above XY line.
One of the end of line lies 30mm below the
reference line. Draw the projections of line,
specify the quadrants and its location with
respect to reference planes.
 LINE INCLINED TO HP AND PARALLEL TO VP

V.P
FV inclined to xy .
b’
b’ TV parallel to
B xy.
a’ 
 Y X Y
a’

a b
T.V
A b .
X
a
H.P
.
• General Observations :
• Line parallel to VP, so its TL will be visible in FV.
• Its true inclination with HP (θ) will be visible in FV.
• As the line is inclined t HP so its apparent length will be visible in
TV.
• Apparent length will be less than the True Length.
 LINE INCLINED TO HP AND PARALLEL TO VP

5. Line AB 50mm long is placed in a first quadrant. It is

30o inclined to HP and parallel to VP. One of the end of line
is 20mm above HP and 30mm in front of VP. Draw its
Projections.

V.P
b’
FV inclined to xy .
b’ TV parallel to
a’ 30o
B xy.
20
50 x y
Y 30
a’
30
A a b
b
X 20
a
H.P
.
 6. A line AB, 50 mm long, is inclined to the HP at 30° and parallel to the VP. The end
nearest to the HP is 40 mm above it and 25 mm in front of the VP. Draw the
projections.

1.Assuming that the line AB is initially parallel to both the RPs, draw its FV a’b1’ and
TV ab1 as shown. a’b1’ is 40 mm above XY and ab1 25 mm below XY. a’b1’= ab1 = TL =
50 mm.
2. Rotate a’b1’ about a’ through 30° to get a’b’. a’b’= a’b1’= TL. The angle made by a’b’
with XY represents θ.
3.Project b’ below XY to obtain b on ab1.a’b’ and ab represent respectively FV and TV
of the line. Note that a’b’ (= EL) is equal to TL and ab(= PL) is shorter than TL.
4. Obtain LHSV a” b” by projecting a’b’ and ab with respect to X1 Y1.
7. Line AB 70mm long lies in the first quadrant and it is
inclined to HP and parallel to VP. One end of line lies
20mm above HP while another end lies 50mm above
HP.Line is 30 mm in front of VP. Draw its projections,
find out its inclination with HP and its apparent length.
8. Line AB 70mm long lies in the third quadrant and it
is inclined to HP and parallel to VP. One of the end of
line is 25 mm below HP and 35 mm behind VP. The
distance between the projections of end points is
50mm (Apparent length). Draw its projections and find
out its inclination with HP.
 LINE INCLINED TO VP AND PARALLEL TO HP

V.P
TV inclined to xy .
b’ Fv
Fv parallel to xy. a’ b’
a’
Ø
A B
X Y
Ø
a
Ø
a b Tv

b
H.P
.
• General Observations :
• Line parallel to HP, so its TL will be visible in TV.
• Its true inclination with VP (φ) will be visible in TV.
• As the line is inclined t VP so its apparent length will be visible in
FV.
• Apparent length will be less than the True Length.
• Always draw view in which TL is visible (In this TV).
 LINE INCLINED TO VP AND PARALLEL TO HP

9. Line AB 50mm long is placed in a first quadrant. It is

45o inclined to VP and parallel to HP. One of the end of line
is 20mm above HP and 30mm in front of VP. Draw its
Projections.
For TV

V.P
.
TV inclined to xy
b’
Fv parallel to xy. a’ b’
a’
20
45 x
A B y
50 30
20
a 45o
45
a b

b
H.P
.
 A line AB, 50 mm long, is inclined to the VP at 45° and parallel to the HP. The end
nearest to the HP is 40 mm above it and 25 mm in front of the VP. Draw the
projections.

1. Draw TV ab = TL, inclined at 45° to XY. a is 25 mm below XY.

2.Project ab above XY to obtain a’b’. ab and a’b’ represent respectively TV and FV of
the line.
 LINE INCLINED TO BOTH THE PLANES
For TV
For TV
On removal of object
b’
i.e. Line AB
b’
FV as a image on VP.
B

TV as a image on B
Y
HP, 
a’ Y
a’
A
V.P
 A
X
a . b’
T.V b 
X
. FV a T.V b
.
a’ 

X Y

Orthographic Projections Note These Facts:-

FV is seen on VP clearly. a  Both FV & TV are inclined to xy.
(No view is parallel to xy)
To see TV clearly, HP is TV Both FV & TV are reduced
rotated 900 downwards, H.P lengths.
b
Hence it comes below xy. . (No view shows True Length)
 Orthographic Projections Note the procedure Note the procedure
Means FV & TV of Line AB When FV & TV known, When True Length is known,
are shown below, How to find True Length. How to locate FV & TV.
(Views are rotated to determine (Component a-1 of TL is drawn
with their apparent
True Length & it’s inclinations which is further rotated
Inclinations
with HP & VP). to determine FV)
&
V.P V.P V.P
. b’ . b’ b1’ . b’ b 1’

FV FV
TL 
a’  a’  a’  1’

X Y X Y X Y

1
a  b2 a Ø
a  TV 

TV TV

H.P b H.P b H.P b b1

. . .

Here TV (ab) is not // to XY In this sketch, TV is rotated Here a -1 is component

line Hence it’s corresponding and made // to XY line. of TL ab1 gives length of FV.
FV a’ b’ is not showing Hence it’s corresponding Hence it is brought Up to
True Length & FV a’ b1’ Is showing Locus of a’ and further
True Inclination with Hp. True Length rotated to get point b’. a’ b’
& will be FV.
True Inclination with Similarly drawing component
Hp. of other TL(a’ b1‘) TV can be
he most important diagram showing graphical relations 1) True Length ( TL) – a’ b1’ & a b Important
among all important parameters of this topic. 2) Angle of TL with HP -  TEN parameters
Study and memorize it as a CIRCUIT DIAGRAM 3) Angle of TL with VP –
to be remembered
And use in solving various problems. Ø with Notations
4) Angle of FV with xy –  used here onward
V.P
Distance between 5) –
. End Projectors. 6) Angle of Length)
FVL (FV TV with –xyComponent (a-1)
b’ b1’ 7) TVL (TV Lngth) – Component (a’-1’)
8) Position of A- Distances of a & a’ from xy
9) Position of B- Distances of b & b’ from xy
10) Distance between End Projectors

a’  1’
Important Observations :
• b and b’ lie along same vertical line as end
X Y points are same.
a 1 • b & b1 on same locus.
Ø • b’ & b1’ on same locus.

• True Length is never rotated. It’s horizontal
component is drawn & it is further rotated to
locate view.
• Views are always rotated, made horizontal &
H.P b b1
further extended to locate TL,  & Ø
.
• If True Length is given then Project and Rotate to get Apparent Length
• If Apparent length is given then Rotate and Project to get True Length
1. Line AB is 75 mm long and it is 450 & 300 Inclined Given : TL = 75mm
to HP & VP respectively. End A is 20mm above HP
Ø=30o =45o
and 30 mm in front of VP. Draw projections. Line is
in 1st quadrant.
Calculate α,β, FVL and TVL

SOLUTION STEPS:
α=45o,β=55o, FVL=53 and TVL=65
V.P
1) Draw xy line and one projector. .
2)Locate a’ 12mm above xy line Locus of b’ b’
b 1’
& a 10mm below xy line.
3) Take 300 angle from a’ & 400 from a
and mark TL I.e. 75mm on both
lines. Name those points b1’ and b1 α
respectively. a’ =45o

4) Join both points with a’ and a resp.

5) Draw horizontal lines (Locus) from 10
both points.
x y
6)Draw horizontal component of TL 15
a b1 from point b1 and name it 1.
( the length a-1 gives length of Fv as we a
Ø=30o
have seen already.) 
7) Extend it up to locus of a’ and rotating
a’ as center locate b’ as shown. Join
a’ b’ as Fv.
8) From b’ drop a projector down ward &
get point b. Join a & b I.e. Tv. H.P Locus of b b b1
2. Line AB 75mm long makes 45o inclination with VP while Given : TL = 75mm
it’s FV makes 550. End A is 10 mm above HP and 15mm in Ø=45o α=55o
front of VP. If line is in 1st quadrant draw it’s projections Calculate ,β, FVL and TVL
and find it’s inclination with Hp.
=35o,β=60o, FVL=53 and TVL=61
Solution Steps:- V.P
1. Draw xy line. .
2. Draw one projector for a’ & a Locus of b’ b’
b 1’
3.Locate a 15 mm below xy & a’ 10mm above
xy.
4.Draw a line 450 inclined to xy from point a
and cut TL 75 mm on it and name that point
α=55o
b1 Draw locus from point b1 
a’
5.Take 550 angle from a’ for FV above xy line.
6.Draw a vertical line from b1 up to locus of a’ 10
and then draw arc of radius FVL (a’1’). It is
horizontal component of TL & is FVL. x y
7.Continue it to locus of a’ and rotate upward 15
up to the line of FV and name it b’. This a’ b’
line is FV. a
Ø=45o
8.Drop a projector from b’ on locus from point 
b1 and name intersecting point b. Line a b is
Tv of line AB.
9.Draw locus from b’ and from a’ with TL
distance cut point b1‘
10. Join a’ b1’ as TL and measure . it’s angle at
a’. It will be true angle of line with HP. H.P Locus of b b b1
3. FV of line AB is 500 inclined to xy and measures 55 mm Given : FVL = 55mm
long while it’s TV is 600 inclined to xy line. If end A is 10 α=50o β =60o
mm above HP and 15 mm in front of VP, draw it’s Calculate Ø,, TL and TVL
projections, find TL, inclinations of line with HP & VP.
=31o, Ø =48o, TL=82 and TVL=71
V.P
SOLUTION STEPS: .
’
1.Draw xy line and one projector. Locus of b’ b’ b1
2.Locate a’ 10 mm above xy and
a 15 mm below xy line.
3.Draw locus from these points.
α=50o
4.Draw FV 500 to xy from a’ and 
a’
mark b’ Cutting 55mm on it.
5.Similarly draw TV 600 to xy 10
from a & drawing projector
x y
from b’ 15
Locate point b and join a b.
a
6.Then rotating views as shown, Ø
locate True Lengths ab1 & a’b1’ β =60o

and their angles with HP and VP.

H.P Locus of b b b1
4. Line AB is 75 mm long .It’s FV and TV measure 50 mm & Given :TL= 75mm
60 mm long respectively. End A is 10 mm above HP and FVL=50mm and TVL=60mm
15 mm in front of VP. Draw projections of line AB if end B Calculate α ,Ø,, and β
is in first quadrant. Find angle with HP and VP.
=37o, Ø =48o, α =64o , β =69o
SOLUTION STEPS: V.P
1.Draw xy line and one projector. .
Locus of b’ b’
2.Locate a’ 10 mm above xy and b 1’
a 15 mm below xy line.
3. Draw locus from these points.
4.Cut 60mm distance on locus of a’
& mark 1’ on it as it is LTV. α
5. Similarly Similarly cut 50mm on a’ 

locus of a and mark point 1 as it

is LFV. 10
6.From 1’ draw a vertical line upward
and from a’ taking TL ( 75mm ) in x y
15
compass, mark b’1 point on it. TVL
Join a’ b’1 points. a
Ø
7. Draw locus from b’1 β
8. With same steps below get b1 point
and draw also locus from it.
9. Now rotating one of the
components
I.e. a-1 locate b’ and join a’ with it
H.P Locus of b b b1
to get Fv.
 5. T.V. of a 75 mm long Line CD, measures 50 mm. End C is in HP and 50 mm in front of
VP. End D is 15 mm in front of VP and it is above HP. Draw projections of CD and find
angles with HP and VP.
d’ d’1 LOCUS OF d’ & d’1

SOLUTION STEPS:
1.Draw xy line and one projector.
2.Locate c’ on xy and
c 50mm below xy line.
3.Draw locus from these points.
4.Draw locus of d 15 mm below xy c’ 
5.Cut 50mm & 75 mm distances Y
on X d d1 LOCUS OF d & d1
locus of d from c and mark points
d & d1 as these are Tv and line CD
6.From d1 draw
lengths a vertical
resp.& join bothline upward
with c.
up to xy I.e. up to locus of c’ and
draw an arc as shown.
7 Then draw one projector from d to
meet this arc in d’ point & join c’ d’
c 
8. Draw locus of d’ and cut 75 mm
on it from c’ as TL
9.Measure Angles
6. A straight line PQ has its end P 20 mm above the H.P. and 30 mm in front of
the VP. And the end Q is 80 mm above the H.P. and 70 mm in front of the V.P. If
the end projectors are 60 mm apart, draw the projections of the line. Determine
its true length and true inclinations with the reference planes.
7. A straight line AB of 50 mm length has one of its end points A 10 mm above the HP and
15 mm in front of the VP. The top View of the line measures 30mm while the front view is
40 mm long. Draw the projections and find out its angles of inclination in relation to the
reference planes.
8. A straight line AB has its end A 10 mm above the HP and end B 50 mm in front
of the VP. Draw the projections of line AB if it is inclined at 30° to the HP and
45° to the VP, and it is 50 mm long.
9. A straight line AB has its end point A 15 mm in front of the VP and end point B is 50
mm above the HP. The line is inclined at 45° to the HP, while its front view is inclined at
60° to the XY line. Draw the projections of the straight line AB if its top view is 35 mm
long. Find the true length and the angle of inclination of the line with the VP.
10. A straight line PQ has its end point P 10mm above HP and 15mm in front of
the VP. The line is 50mm long and its front and top views are inclined at 60°
and 45° respectively. Draw the projections of the line and find its inclinations
with the HP and the VP.
 TRACES OF THE LINE
• These are the points of intersections of a line ( or it’s extension )
with respective reference planes.

• A line itself or it’s extension, where ever touches HP, that

point
is called trace of the line on HP(It is called HT)

• Similarly, a line itself or it’s extension, where ever touches

VP, that point is called trace of the line on VP (It is called VT)

• Vertical Trace :-
• It is a point on VP.
• Hence it is called FV of a point in VP.
• Hence it’s TV comes on XY line.( Here onward named as ‘v’)
• Horizontal Trace .:-
• It is a point on HP.
• Hence it is called TV of a point in HP.
• Hence it’s FV comes on XY line.( Here onward named as ’h’ )
 STEPS TO LOCATE HT. b’
(WHEN PROJECTIONS ARE GIVEN.)
1. Begin with FV. Extend FV up to XY
line.
2. Name this point h’ a’
v
(as it is a FV of a point in HP) x
h’
y
3. Draw one projector from h’.
4. Now extend TV to meet this
VT’ HT
projector. a

This point is HT
STEPS TO LOCATE VT. b
(WHEN PROJECTIONS ARE GIVEN.)
1. Begin with TV. Extend TV up to XY Observe & note :-
line. 1. Points h’ & v always on x-y line.
2. Name this point v 2. VT’ & v always on one projector.
( as it is a TV of a point in VP)
3. HT & h’ always on one projector.
3. Draw one projector from v.
4. Now extend FV to meet this 4. FV - h’- VT’ always co-linear.
projector. 5. TV - v - HT always co-linear.
This point is VT
 PROBLEM 11 :- FV of line AB makes 450 angle with XY line and measures 60 mm. Line’s TV
makes 300 with XY line. End A is 15 mm above HP and it’s VT is 10 mm below HP. Draw
projections of line AB, determine inclinations with HP & VP and locate HT, VT.
b’ b’1
• SOLUTION STEPS:-
• Draw xy line, one projector and
locate FV a’ 15 mm above xy.
• Take 450 angle from a’ and mark
60 mm on it locate point b’.
• Draw locus of VT, 10 mm below
xy & extend FV to this locus to a’ 450
locate VT. as FV-h’-VT’ lie on 
one straight line. 15
• Draw projector from VT & locate x v h’
y
v on xy. 10
• 300
From v take 300 angle
HT
downward as TV and it’s VT’
inclination can begin with v. a 
• Draw projector from b’ and
locate b i.e. TV point.
• Now rotating views as usual TL
and it’s inclinations can be
found. b b1
• Name extension of FV, touching
xy as h’ and below it, on extension
of TV, locate HT.
 12. One end of line AB is 10mm above HP and other end is 100 mm in-front of VP. It’s
FV is 450 inclined to xy while it’s HT & VT are 45mm and 30 mm below xy respectively.
Draw projections and find TL with it’s inclinations with Hp & VP.
• SOLUTION STEPS:- b’ b’1 LOCUS OF b’ & 1
• Draw xy line, one projector b’
and locate a’ 10 mm above
xy.
• Draw locus 100 mm below xy a’ 450

for points b & b1
• Draw loci for VT and HT, 30 10 v h’
mm & 45 mm below xy Y
30
45
X
extend that line backward to VT’ HT
respectively.
locate h’ and VT, & Locate v
• Take
on xy45 0 angle from a’ and
above VT. 100
• Locate HT below h’ as
shown. a 
• Then join v – HT – and
extend to get top view end b.
• Draw projector upward and
locate b’ Make a b & a’b’
dark.
• b
Now as usual rotating views b1 LOCUS OF b & b1
find TL and it’s inclinations.
PROBLEM 13 :- Projectors drawn from HT and VT of a line AB are 80 mm apart and those
drawn from it’s ends are 50 mm apart. End A is 10 mm above HP, VT is 35 mm below HP
while it’s HT is 45 mm in front of VP. Draw projections, locate traces and find TL of line &
inclinations with HP and VP.
VT

SOLUTION STEPS:- b’ b’1

1.Draw xy line and two projectors,

55
80 mm apart and locate HT & VT ,
35 mm below xy and 55 mm above
Locus of a’ a’ 
xy
X 10 50 v y
respectively on these projectors. h’ b b1
2.Locate h’ and v on xy as usual.
35
3.Now just like previous two
problems, a 
HT
Extending certain lines complete
FV & TV And as usual find TL and 80
it’s inclinations.