Lesson Plan: Isometric projection

Subject: Engineering Graphics.

Rational: Curriculum requires that students learn about isometric projections. This concept is
fundamental to the understanding of the different viewpoints used by an engineer when
rendering objects.
Objectives: As a result of instruction students will have knowledge of:
1. The fundamentals behind drawing an object using isometric projection.
2. How 30˚ angles are used to create a 3-D view of an object which is equal length on
both sides
3. How a multi-view drawing can be transformed into an isometric drawing
4. Limitations and shortcomings of an isometric projection of an object

Intended Learning Outcomes:

1. Differentiate between an isometric drawing and an orthographic projection

drawing.
2. Draw basic isometric objects. Learn how 30˚angles are used to project an object into 3
dimensions.
3. Learn how the front, side and top views of an object can be used to create an isometric
drawing of the same object.(Convert drawings from orthographic projection to
isometric projection & vice versa.)
4. Learn how isometric drawings although a useful view of an object, don’t represent that
object in the same way that the human eye works.
5. Create a isometric sketch of object
6.
Specific Learning Outcomes

Unit 6

Isometric Projections

The learner should be able to:

6.1 indicate the principle axes in isometric drawing and must able to create isometric
scale.
6.2 differentiate between Isometric view and Isometric projection.
6.3 present sloping surfaces in isometric drawing
6.4 present cylindrical (circular) and conical surfaces in isometric drawing
6.5 produce an isometric drawing of an objects including solids.
Unit 1 Drawing conventions

The learner should be able to:

1.1 identify and use common drawing equipment to include:
• HB, H and 2H pencils
• 30°, 45° and adjustable set squares
• T-square and drawing board
• protractor
• eraser
• compass
• rule and scaled rule
1.2 lay out a drawing sheet and insert a title block to BIS. standards
1.3 adopt the practices that apply to linework
1.4 insert text and numerals with clarity and style
1.5 use standard abbreviations and symbols
1.6 apply the basic rules of dimensioning when adding measurements to
linear, angular and circular profiles.

Unit 2 Plane Geometry

The learner should be able to:
2.1 generate an angle
2.2 bisect an angle
2.3 draw lines parallel and perpendicular to each other
2.4 construct triangles and quadrilaterals according to given data
2.5 inscribe a circle in a triangle
2.6 circumscribe a circle about a triangle
2.7 draw the following regular polygons, according to given data:
• pentagon
• hexagon
• octagon
2.8 divide a line into an equal number of parts
2.9 enlarge and reduce plane figures
2.10 draw internal and external tangents to circles of different radii
2.11 construct circles and arcs to touch off each other
2.12 determine points of tangency between touching circles and arcs
2.13 rotate figures through any angle about a fixed point.
Unit 3 Orthographic Projection
The learner should be able to:
3.1 identify the planes of reference:
• Horizontal
• Vertical
3.2 locate the ‘XY’ line
3.3 illustrate the horizontal plane being rebated to show 1st angle
projection
3.4 explain the following terms:
5
• front view (FV)
• plan view (PV)
• end view (EV)
3.5 illustrate the principle of orthographic projection
3.6 draw the projections of the following solids in 1st angle:
• triangular, square, rectangular, pentagonal and hexagonal prisms
and their frusta
• triangular, square, rectangular, pentagonal and hexagonal
pyramids and their frusta
• right cones, cylinders and their frusta
• simple components
3.7 draw first auxiliary projections of simple components
3.8 determine the true shape of surfaces
3.9 add hatching as appropriate.

Unit 5 Surface Development

The learner should be able to:
5.1 determine the true length of a line
5.2 draw surface developments of prisms and their frusta
5.3 draw surface developments of pyramids and their frusta
5.4 draw surface developments of right cones and cylinders and their
frusta
5.5 add tabs to the developments as appropriate
5.6 cut out the developments and fold to shape.
Unit 6 Communications Graphics
The learner should be able to:
6.1 draw freehand on 2D, 3D and plain paper the following:
• lines
• curves
• circles
• ellipses
6.2 apply thick and thin lines to sketches as appropriate
6.3 apply crating in the presentation of pictorial views of simple
components
6.4 enhance pictorial sketches using shade, shadow and tone
6.5 add texture to drawings
6.6 depict prisms in a 1-point or a 2-point perspective projection
6.7 present exploded views of simple assemblies
6.8 prepare a flow chart to demonstrate the stages in the manufacture or
installation of a product
6.9 illustrate by sketching how a simple device works
6.10 design a package or container for a variety of products.
7
11 Assessment

Isometric Projections:
An isometric projection doesn’t use 45˚ projection lines; instead it uses 60˚ projection
lines. In addition, you don’t begin an isometric projection by drawing the front view, as
we did with orthographic projections. When drawing an isometric view of an object you
start at a single point, where the front view and side view meet; at this point 30˚ lines are
projected both to the right and left.
An example: would look like

Notice that the lower right corner of both the front and side view is the starting point, and that
both views project off of that point.
When producing an isometric projection, the front view will always project to the left,
and the side view will always project to the right. The scale also remains the same for all
projection lines, there is no such thing as a cabinet view with isometric projections.

Isometric Projection Shortcomings:

One problem with isometric drawings is the lack of any true perspective. The human eye
observes objects as smaller, as those objects are mover further away from the eye. A
camera operates in the same fashion.
Isometric projections contain no depth perspective; consequently you can get some very
strange drawings:
Notice the one orb is at a lower level then the
other orb, but they appear to be at the same level.
If the final dark square was added in, they would
be sitting on the same plane.
 Of course this is impossible, but because of the
nature of isometric projections (lacking depth) a
drawing can be made in such a fashion.

Despite this short coming with perspective, isometric drawings are very useful to the
mechanic who needs to utilize the drawing to manufacture whatever is depicted.
Isometric drawings don’t have a changeable scale, so any line can be measured and used
in manufacturing/production.