Orthogonal drawings are a type of technical drawing that uses three main planes of projection to 2D drawings, resulting in clear, accurate representations of an object. They are used in various disciplines, from architecture to engineering, to provide precise visual representations of designs and objects.
Creating orthogonal drawings requires precision and an understanding of the principles of orthographic projection. The multiple views of an object, such as the top, front, and side elevations, are arranged in a way that allows viewers to understand the object’s shape and dimensions. These drawings are particularly useful when creating prototypes or manufacturing parts, as they provide detailed information about the object’s dimensions, angles, and relationships between different components.
Mastering the techniques of orthogonal drawing is essential for anyone involved in design or engineering. The ability to create accurate and detailed orthogonal drawings not only enhances communication between designers and manufacturers but also ensures the successful execution of projects. This article will delve into the step-by-step process of creating orthogonal drawings, explaining the principles of orthographic projection and providing practical tips to achieve precise and professional results.
Preparation
Before starting the Orthogonal Drawing process in Fusion 360, it is essential to prepare your scene to ensure a smooth and accurate drawing workflow. This preparation involves setting up the appropriate view, selecting the correct drawing settings, and establishing a layer system for organizing your drawing elements.
a) Setting up the View
Begin by setting up the desired camera view for your Orthogonal Drawing. Choose a view that provides a clear and unobstructed view of the object you intend to draw. In the Camera drop-down menu, select the Orthographic projection type to display the model in a perspective-free view with parallel lines maintaining their true length and angles.
Adjust the camera position and orientation to frame the object within the drawing area. Use the Move and Rotate tools to fine-tune the camera’s position and ensure proper alignment with the object’s orientation.
b) Selecting the Drawing Settings
Navigate to the Drawing Workspace by selecting the “Drafting” tab in the top menu. In the Drawing Settings panel, you can customize the drawing scale, paper size, and other preferences to suit your specific needs. The scale setting determines the ratio between the dimensions in your drawing and the corresponding dimensions of the physical object you are representing.
For Orthogonal Drawings, it is recommended to use a 1:1 scale to maintain the exact dimensions of the object. However, you may adjust the scale as needed to fit the drawing within the available space on the paper.
c) Establishing a Layer System
Creating a layer system is crucial for organizing your drawing elements and maintaining a well-structured drawing environment. In the Layers panel, you can create multiple layers to separate different types of drawing entities, such as outlines, dimensions, annotations, and hidden lines. This allows for better control over the visibility, editing, and management of your drawing elements.
Consider using descriptive layer names to distinguish between different categories of drawing elements. This will enhance the clarity and usability of your drawing.
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Set up the Orthographic view |
| 2 | Select the appropriate drawing settings |
| 3 | Establish a layer system for drawing elements |
Materials
To create an orthogonal drawing in Fusion, you will need the following materials:
Computer with Fusion software installed
Fusion is a computer-aided design (CAD) software program that can be used to create 3D models and 2D orthographic drawings. It is available for free from the Autodesk website.
Orthographic drawing template
An orthographic drawing template is a pre-made file that contains the basic layout of an orthographic drawing. This template can be used to save time and ensure that your drawing is accurate.
Drawing tools
You will need a variety of drawing tools to create an orthographic drawing, including a pencil, ruler, compass, and protractor. You may also want to use a drafting table or T-square to help you draw straight lines and angles.
Paper
You will need paper to print your orthographic drawing on. You can use any type of paper, but it is best to use a heavyweight paper that will not tear easily.
Additional materials
Depending on the complexity of your drawing, you may also need additional materials, such as tracing paper, masking tape, and a cutting mat.
Setting Up the Orthogonal Drawing
To begin an orthogonal drawing in Fusion, select the “Sketch” tab in the ribbon menu and choose “Orthographic” from the drop-down list. This will create a new sketch plane that is automatically aligned with the global axes (X, Y, and Z).
Next, you can use the “Create” tools to define the basic shapes and dimensions of your object. For example, you can use the “Line” tool to create edges, the “Rectangle” tool to create rectangular shapes, and the “Circle” tool to create circles.
The following tips will help you set up your orthogonal drawing correctly:
1. Define the global axes clearly. The global axes are the X, Y, and Z axes that define the orientation of your drawing. It’s important to make sure that these axes are aligned correctly, as they will serve as the reference for all of your other measurements.
2. Use proper scale and units. When you’re creating an orthogonal drawing, it’s important to use the correct scale and units. This will ensure that your drawing is accurate and easy to read.
3. Dimension your drawing. After you’ve created the basic shapes and dimensions of your object, it’s important to dimension your drawing. This will help you to communicate the size and location of the different parts of your object to other people.
Drawing the Front View
To draw the front view of an object, follow these steps:
1. Create a new sketch and select the “Orthographic” view.
2. Click on the “Front” view and zoom in to the center of the object.
3. Create a reference plane by clicking on two points on the object that are perpendicular to the front view.
4. To draw the outline of the object, create a series of line segments that connect the points where the object intersects the reference plane. Here are some additional tips for drawing the outline:
- Start with the most important lines and work your way out.
- Draw the lines lightly at first, so you can erase them if necessary.
- Use the dimension tool to measure the length and width of the object.
- Use the tangent line tool to draw lines that are tangent to the object.
| OS | Version | Released |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | 10 | 2015 |
| macOS | 10.15 Catalina | 2019 |
| iOS | 13 | 2019 |
| Android | 10 | 2019 |
Drawing the Side View
To draw the side view:
- Create a new sketch.
- Select the Create menu, then New Front.
- The new sketch is created and oriented to the right-hand side of the screen.
- Select the Orient Sketch tool from the Sketch Toolbar.
- Select one of the following options from the drop-down menu:
- Select the plane you want the sketch to be parallel or perpendicular to from the list of reference planes.
- Click OK.
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Parallel | Orients the sketch parallel to the selected plane. |
| Perpendicular | Orients the sketch perpendicular to the selected plane. |
Drawing the Top View
To draw the top view, follow these steps:
1. Select the Orthographic Top View Command
Click on the “Create” tab in the ribbon and select the “Orthographic View” command. Choose “Top” from the drop-down menu.
2. Choose a Reference Plane
Select a reference plane for the top view. This could be the top surface of the solid model or a parallel plane that intersects the model.
3. Adjust View Settings
Use the “View Direction” option to ensure that the view is looking directly down on the selected reference plane. Adjust the “Scale” and “Offset” settings as needed.
4. Hide Unwanted Geometries
Hide any unwanted geometries using the “Hide” command. This will simplify the top view and make it easier to read.
5. Create Phantom Lines
Use the “Phantom Lines” command to indicate hidden edges of the model that are not visible in the top view. These lines are drawn with a dashed pattern.
6. Annotate the Drawing with Dimensions and Text
Add dimensions and text to the drawing to provide necessary information and clarify the geometry. Use the “Dimension” command to create dimensions and the “Text” command to add text.
| Dimension | Definition |
|---|---|
| Horizontal Depth | Distance along the X-axis from left to right |
| Vertical Depth | Distance along the Y-axis from front to back |
| Height | Distance along the Z-axis from top to bottom |
Completing the Orthogonal Drawing
7. Dimensioning the Orthogonal Drawing
Dimensioning is the process of adding lines and numbers to an orthogonal drawing to indicate the size and shape of the object being drawn. This is done using dimension lines, dimension arrows, and extension lines.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Dimension Line | A thin line that indicates the distance between two points on an object. |
| Dimension Arrow | A small triangle at the end of a dimension line that indicates the direction of measurement. |
| Extension Line | A thin line that extends from the object being drawn to the dimension line. |
To dimension an orthogonal drawing, follow these steps:
- Identify the points on the object that you want to measure.
- Draw a dimension line between the points.
- Draw dimension arrows at the ends of the dimension line.
- Draw extension lines from the object to the dimension line.
- Place the dimension number in the middle of the dimension line.
Refinements and Details
Materials
- Pencil
- Ruler
- Eraser
- Compass
- Protractor
Steps
- Start by sketching out the basic shape of the object you want to draw.
- Use a ruler and protractor to draw the orthographic projections of the object.
- Add details to the drawing, such as lines, curves, and textures.
- Erase any unnecessary lines or marks.
- Add dimensions to the drawing, if necessary.
Tips
- Use a light touch when drawing, so that you can erase mistakes easily.
- If you are having trouble drawing a particular shape, try breaking it down into smaller shapes.
- Be patient and take your time. Orthogonal drawings can be challenging, but they are also very rewarding.
Example
The following table shows an example of an orthographic drawing of a cube:
| Front View | Top View | Side View |
|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
Dimensioning
Orthogonal drawings can be dimensioned to show the size and shape of the object. Dimensions are typically placed outside the drawing, and they indicate the length, width, and height of the object.
Dimensions can be added to an orthogonal drawing using a variety of methods. One common method is to use dimension lines and extension lines. Dimension lines are drawn between the points that are being dimensioned, and extension lines are drawn perpendicular to the dimension lines. The dimension value is placed above the dimension line, and it is typically written in inches or centimeters.
Another method of adding dimensions to an orthogonal drawing is to use a coordinate system. A coordinate system is a grid of lines that are used to locate points in space. The X-axis is the horizontal axis, and the Y-axis is the vertical axis. The origin of the coordinate system is the point where the X-axis and the Y-axis intersect.
To dimension an orthogonal drawing using a coordinate system, first identify the origin of the coordinate system. Then, measure the distance from the origin to each of the points that are being dimensioned. The dimension values are then written next to the corresponding points.
Dimensioning
Dimensioning in orthographic drawings involves adding measurements and annotations to convey the size and shape of objects. This section provides guidelines on how to dimension effectively in Autodesk Fusion 360.
Place dimensions in a clear and readable manner. Avoid crossing dimensions or placing them too close to other elements of the drawing.
Use different dimension types as needed, such as linear dimensions, angular dimensions, and radial dimensions.
Specify the dimension units clearly, using the appropriate symbols or abbreviations.
Use appropriate dimension precision to convey the necessary level of detail.
Add notes to provide additional information or clarify specific dimensions.
Use extension lines to indicate the points between which a dimension is taken.
Dimension lines should be parallel to the feature being dimensioned.
Place arrowheads at the ends of dimension lines to indicate the direction of the measurement.
Use dimensioning symbols to indicate specific types of dimensions, such as the diameter symbol (Ø) for circular features.
| Symbol | Description |
|---|---|
| Ø | Diameter |
| R | Radius |
| S | Square |
“`html
Best Practices
1. Use a dedicated orthographic drawing tool: Fusion 360 offers a dedicated orthographic drawing tool that makes the process easier and more precise.
2. Plan the layout carefully: Before starting, determine the number and orientation of the views required, as well as the scale and projection type.
3. Set up the drawing template: Use the appropriate drawing template to ensure the correct border, title block, and annotation settings.
4. Use a grid for alignment: Enable the grid in the drawing view to assist with aligning elements and maintaining proportions.
5. Sketch the basic geometry: Start by sketching the primary shapes and lines that define the object.
6. Model hidden features: Use the “Hidden Lines Visible” option to visualize hidden features or details that would otherwise be obscured.
7. Add dimensions and annotations: Clearly label all dimensions and include any necessary notes or annotations to provide context.
8. Use proper line weights and line types: Apply consistent line weights and line types to differentiate between different features and convey information.
9. Check for accuracy: Regularly check the drawing for errors in proportions, dimensions, and annotations.
10. Enhance the drawing: Consider adding shading, hatching, or rendering to improve clarity and presentation quality.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Line Weight | 0.25 mm – 0.5 mm |
| Line Type | Solid, Dotted, Hidden |
| Projection Type | Orthographic, Isometric |
“`
Fusion How To Make Orthogonal Drawing
To make an orthogonal drawing in Fusion 360, follow these steps:
- Create a new sketch.
- Select the “Orthographic” projection.
- Draw the desired geometry.
- Exit the sketch.
The orthogonal drawing will be displayed in the graphics area.
People Also Ask About Fusion How To Make Orthogonal Drawing
What is an orthogonal drawing?
An orthogonal drawing is a two-dimensional representation of a three-dimensional object. It is created by projecting the object onto a plane that is perpendicular to the line of sight. Orthogonal drawings are often used in engineering and architecture to create blueprints and other technical drawings.
What are the different types of orthogonal drawings?
There are three main types of orthogonal drawings:
- Front view
- Top view
- Side view
How do I create an orthogonal drawing in Fusion 360?
To create an orthogonal drawing in Fusion 360, follow the steps outlined in the main section of this article.
