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Orthographic Projection
Orthographic projection is a method of drawing used to visualise an
object from six different viewpoints.
The orthographic projection is an accurate means to represent any 3D
object in 2D. The projection is normally drawn using three views of the
object, the front view, left or right side view, and plan views. These views
provide enough information about the object to be able to recreate the
3D version. |
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and try this educational software out for yourself,
the program will work on
PC's and Mac OS X. |
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Sometimes one might see an orthographic projection showing both the left
and right hand sides of the object, and a one could make the projection
complete by including the rear and bottom views too, making a total of
six 2D views to illustrate the 3D object.
There are two ways to draw an orthographic projection, one is called 'the '3rd angle
projection' and the other a '1st angle projection'. Both these
projections are used to accurately represent the model being drawn and
differ from each other only in how the front and side views are positioned in the
drawing.
There has been endless controversy about which projection is the best
one to use, suffice to say that the 3rd angle projection is considered
more logical in its layout and has always been the standard in USA. With
the exception of the UK, the
1st angle projection is still the standard in Europe!
aspex Tabs is an educational software which will display both the 1st
and 3rd angle projection, it is an easy 3D
software to use and children are rewarded with fast and
professional looking results.
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The 3rd angle projection is the most favoured of the two
projections and is commonly seen on technical and architectural drawings
in the UK. aspex Tabs can display the 3rd angle projection with the
right hand view. Children can also display projections rendered naturally, or solid white with lines, or as line
drawings with the hidden lines included! |
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An orthographic projection will always be accompanied
by a symbol to clearly show which projection has been drawn, and this is
normally be placed at the bottom of the drawing. A 3rd angle projection
will be indicated by the symbol shown above. |
3rd Angle Projection with right view. |
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1st Angle Projection |
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The 1st angle projection displays the same drawings as the 3rd angle
projection, the difference is found in the way the views are arranged.
It is easy to see why the 1st angle projection is seen by some as
illogical, because when the projection is displayed showing the right
view, the view is actually placed on the left! and the top view is
placed at the bottom! However, the 1st angle projection is still the
standard projection for technical and architectural drawings in Europe. |
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An orthographic projection is accompanied by a symbol
to indicate which projection has been drawn, and this is normally be
placed at the bottom of the drawing. A 1st angle projection is
identified by the symbol shown above. |
1st Angle project with left view |
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An orthographic projection comprises six views of an objects, front,
back, right side, left side, top and bottom. However, it is common to
only use three of these views when drawing 1st or 3rd angle projection.
Here are all six views of the model of the mansion used on this page.
The mansion was made from simple 3D shapes
in aspex Tabs. |
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Bottom view
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Left view
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Right view
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Front view
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Back view
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Top view
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aspex Tabs will also display the isometric projection.
All of the projections available in the Tabs software can be displayed
fully rendered, as solid line drawings and as a line drawing showing the
hidden lines. |
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Isometric Projection |
Isometric projection as a solid lined object
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Isometric Projection
line drawing with 'hidden lines'
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"It is amazing
to see how
fast the students pick-up Tabs software." |
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