TYPES OF PROJECTION

Engineers are confronted with the task of communicating the design, development and
structures of machines to manufacturers and builders. The shape and size of various parts
of a machine and its structure must be recorded on plane sheets in a systematic way for
communication. The pictorial view of the object does not carry all the details, especially
the inner details and correct shape of complicated parts. Different methods, therefore,
are implied for describing the exact shape based on the projectors drawn by engineers.

Principle of Projection
If straight lines are drawn from various points on the contour of an object to meet a
plane, the object is said to be projected on that plane. The figure formed by joining, in
correct sequence, the points at which these lines meet the plane, is called the projection
of the object. The lines from the object to the plane are called projectors.

Projection on a Single Plane

If straight lines are drawn from the various points on the contour of an object to meet a
plane, the figure obtained on the plane is called the Projection of the object. The object
is said to be projected on the plane. In other words, we can say that the projection of an
object on a plane is the shadow of the object on the plane showing each and every edge
line of the object. The imaginary lines drawn from the object to the plane are called
projectors or projection lines. The plane on which the projection of the object is taken is
called plane of projection. Suppose an object is placed in front of a screen and light
thrown on the object (assuming the light rays to be parallel to each other and
perpendicular to the screen) then a true shadow of the object is obtained on the screen.
This shadow is the projection on the object on the plane of screen showing the contour
line of the object.

Types of Projections
The projections are classified according to the method of taking the projection on the
plane. A classification of projection is shown below:

Factors on Which Type of Projection Depends

Different views of an object can be drawn by projections. Thus every drawing of an
object will have four things on which projection depends
o Object,
o Projectors,
o Plane of projection, and
o Observers eye or station point.

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Methods of Projection

In engineering drawing following four methods of projection are commonly used, these
are:
o Isometric projection
o Oblique projection
o Perspective projection
o Orthographic projection
The above method represents the object by a pictorial view as an observer sees it. In
these methods of projection a three dimensional object is represented on a projection
plane by one view only. While in the orthographic projection an object is represented by
two or three views on the mutual perpendicular projection planes. Each projection view
represents two dimensions of an object. For the complete description of the three
dimensional object, at least two or three views are required. Orthographic projection
comes under the category of Non-Pictorial Drawing.

Orthographic Projections
The word orthographic means straight description. The straight description here stands
for the parallel projectors from the object to infinity. If a perpendicular picture plane is
inserted between the projectors, a picture is formed having the same shape and size as
that of the object. If an observer at position A moves to infinity, the projectors to his
eyes becomes parallel to the object and he observes the same shape and size as that of
the object. The view so formed is known as the orthographic projection. Similarly, the
parallel projectors shall form the pictures on the respective picture planes from the
positions B and C. Usually two views are sufficient for simple objects, but the help of
three or more views is necessary for complicated objects. These picture planes are
mutually perpendicular to each other and are known as Principal Planes of projectors,
named Horizontal Plane (HP), Vertical Plane (VP) and Profile Plane (PP).

View from Parallel Projection

Methods of Orthographic Projection

The two methods of projections are:
o First angle projections
o Third angle projections
Figure below shows four quadrants formed by the intersection of horizontal and vertical
planes. The intersecting line of the planes is called the co-ordinate axis. The revolving
direction

of

the

horizontal

plane

shows

that

quadrants I and III are

open

but II and IV quadrants become closed when the horizontal plane coincides with the

vertical plane. It is obvious that the closed quadrant has no use for the purpose of
projectors as the views taken on these will overlap.

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Drawing

Four Quadrants

First Angle Projections. This method of projection is popular in Europe, especially in

Britain. Bureau of Indian Standard has also recommended it now. Figure 4 shows an object
placed in the first quadrant. Parallel projectors in the direction A, from the object,
forms a picture on the vertical plane (VP) which is known as Front View or Front

Elevation. Similarly, a parallel projector from the direction of B forms the picture on the
horizontal plane (HP), known as Top View or Plan. A mutually perpendicular plane to both
HP and VP, known as profile plane (PP) also receives projectors from the object from the
direction C. The view on the profile plane is known as Side View or Side Elevation. The
three planes containing the views are then opened on a plane. The symbol of first angle is
shown in below.

First Angle Projection

Although two or three views are enough to reveal an object, the projectors from six
directions of the object in the first angle are shown, if necessary. The views are to be
shown symmetrically. The view from the top (Direction B) placed underneath. The view
from the front (Direction A) is placed in the centre. The view from the left side (Direction
C) is placed on the right side of view A. The view from the right side (Direction D) is
placed on the left side. The view from the bottom (direction E) is placed on the top as
E view. The view from the rear (Direction F) may be placed on the right or left side of C
or D views.

Six Views of First

Angle Projection
Third Angle Projections. This system of projection is known as the American system. The
object is placed in the 3rd quadrant. The planes are imagined to be made of transparent
material, say a glass box. The front wall of the box is assumed to be hinged to the other
walls as shown in the figure. The parallel projectors in all the six directions form
respective views on the walls of the box serving as picture planes. The hinged walls of the
box are opened and laid down on a plane. The placement of various views are in a
systematic way. The view from the top is placed above the Front View (FV). The view
from the right hand side is placed on the right side of FV. The view from left hand side is
placed on the left side of FV. The view from bottom is placed underneath the FV. The
view from the rear may be placed on the right or the left of the side views. The symbol
for the third angle is given below.

Comparison of First Angle Projection and Third Angle

Projection method
Sl
No.

First Angle Projection Method

Third Angle Projection Method

The object is kept in the first

The object is assumed to be kept in

quadrant.

the third quadrant.

The object lies between the observer

The plane of projection lies between

and the plane of projection.

the observer and the object.

The plane of projection is assumed to

The plane of projection is assumed

be non- transparent.

to be transparent

In this method, when the views are

In this method, when the views are

drawn in their relative positions, Plan

drawn in their relative positions,

(Top view) comes below the elevation

(Front view), the view of the object

Plan comes above the elevation, left

as observed from the left- side is

hand side view is drawn to the left

drawn to the right of elevation.

hand side of the elevation.

This method of projection is now

recommended by the Bureau of

This method of projection is used in

Indian Standards from 1991.

U.S.A and also in other countries.