Line Conventions

Line Conventions
Line conventions convey information as
succinctly as a physical example of the
object itself.
The appropriate use of standard line
conventions enables fabricators to
replicate objects based solely on your
drawing

Object Lines
Any lines visible in a
view that define edges or
outlines of objects are
drawn with lines referred
to as object lines.
Object lines are drawn
as solid, thick lines.
In drawings that do not
have cutting planes,
visible lines will be the
thickest lines drawn.

Hidden Lines
Lines not readily
apparent in a view of an
object are hidden lines.
Hidden lines are evenlyspaced, short dashes
that begin and end as a
dash in contact with the
line from which it starts
and stops.

Center lines
Center lines are used to
indicate the center of a
circle, arc, or any
symmetrical object.
Center lines are composed
of long and short dashes,
alternately and evenly
spaced, with a long dash at
each end.
At intersecting points,
center lines should be drawn
as short dashes

Viewing or Cutting Plane Lines

To give a clearer view of obscure or oblique planes
and interior or hidden features of an object that
cannot be clearly observed in a conventional
outside view, use viewing or cutting plane lines
respectively.
Viewing or cutting plane lines are the thickest of
all lines.

Viewing or Cutting Plane Lines

Cutting plane lines,
together with arrowheads
and letters, make up the
cutting plane indications.

Arrowheads at the end of

cutting plane lines indicate
the direction from which you
view the section.
The cutting plane may be a
simple, continuous plane, or
it may be offset to show the
interior detail to better
advantage.

Dimension lines
Lines that define the parameters of a dimension are
called dimension lines. Dimension lines are thin lines
terminating in arrowheads.
Place dimension lines no closer than 3/8" from the
object outline. Parallel dimension lines should be a
minimum of 1/4" apart.

Dimension lines

You may place parallel dimension lines more than 1/4" apart
so long as the spacing between dimension lines is uniform
throughout the drawing.
Dimension lines are generally broken in the center of the line
to provide a space for the dimension figure.
Dimension figures for parallel dimension lines are staggered.

Extension lines
Extension lines are thin lines that extend from the object outline or
point on the object to a place outside the image area.
Extension lines define areas for dimensions.
You should leave a 1/16" gap between the object outline or point
on the object and the beginning of the extension line.
Extension lines project 1/8" beyond the outermost dimension line.
Extension and dimension lines are drawn at right angles to each
other.

Leader lines
Notes or dimensions that
pertain to surfaces or
parts are lead to that
surface or part by leader
lines.
Leader lines are thin,
solid lines that terminate
in an arrowhead or dot.
Use arrowheads when
leader lines terminate at
the outline of an object.
Use dots when leader
lines terminate within the
outline of the object or on
the surface of the object

Arrowheads
Arrowheads indicate the extent of the dimension.
All arrowheads on a drawing should be uniform in
size and style.
Carelessly drawn arrowheads make drawings look
unfinished and unprofessional.

When indicating the radius of an arc or circle, place

the arrowhead at the end of the dimension line that
touches the object outline.
The end of the dimension line terminates at the
centerline of the arc or circle.

Break Lines
When an extended part of an object has a continuous shape
and size, you can save space by abbreviating the object using
zigzag or wavy lines.
These zigzag or wavy lines are called break lines because you
figuratively break away an unimportant segment of an object.
LONG BREAK LINES: Long break lines are ruled lines with
freehand zigzags that reduce the size of the drawing required to
delineate an object and reduce detail.

Break Lines
SHORT BREAK LINES: To indicate a short break in an
object, use thick, solid, wavy freehand lines.
Rods, tubes, and bars have additional conventions that
not only break their length but also imply the material or
texture of the object.

Phantom or datum lines

To indicate alternate
positions of parts,
repeated detail, or to
indicate a datum
plane, use phantom or
datum lines.
Phantom or datum
lines consist of a
medium weight series
of one long dash and
two short dashes
evenly spaced and
terminating in a long
dash.

In Review
Though these standards relate to
technical drawing, which is far more
precise than freehand sketching,
their conventions should be used as
a guide when sketching.

References
http://www.tpub.com/content/draftsman/