Multiview orthographic projection

2 Third-angle projection

Symbols used to dene whether a projection is either First Angle

(left) or Third Angle (right).

In technical drawing and computer graphics, a multiview

orthographic projection is an illustration technique in
which up to six pictures of an object are produced, with
each projection plane parallel to one of the coordinate
axes of the object.[1]
The views are positioned relative to each other according
to either of two schemes: rst-angle or third-angle projection. In each, the appearances of views may be thought
of as being projected onto planes that form a 6-sided box
around the object.

First-angle projection

An example of a multiview orthographic drawing from a US

Patent (1913), showing two views of the same object. Third angle projection is used.

In rst-angle projection, the object is conceptually located in quadrant I, i.e. it oats above and before the
viewing planes, the planes are opaque, and each view is
pushed through the object onto the plane furthest from
it. (Mnemonic: an actor on a stage.) Extending to the
6-sided box, each view of the object is projected in the
direction (sense) of sight of the object, onto the (opaque)
interior walls of the box; that is, each view of the object is
drawn on the opposite side of the box. A two-dimensional
representation of the object is then created by unfolding
the box, to view all of the interior walls. This produces
two plans and four elevations. A simpler way to visualize
this is to place the object on top of an upside-down bowl.
Sliding the object down the right edge of the bowl reveals
the right side view.

In third-angle projection, the object is conceptually located in quadrant III, i.e. it is positioned below and
behind the viewing planes, the planes are transparent,
and each view is pulled onto the plane closest to it.
(Mnemonic: a shark in a tank, esp. that is sunken into
the oor.) Using the 6-sided viewing box, each view of
the object is projected opposite to the direction (sense)
of sight, onto the (transparent) exterior walls of the box;
that is, each view of the object is drawn on the same side
of the box. The box is then unfolded to view all of its
exterior walls. A simpler way to visualize this is to place
the object in the bottom of a bowl. Sliding the object up
the right edge of the bowl reveals the right side view.

Image of object in box, with views of object pro- Here is the construction of third angle projections of the
jected in the direction of sight onto walls using rst- same object as above. Note that the individual views are
angle projection.
the same, just arranged dierently.
Similar image showing the box unfolding from
around the object.

Image showing orthographic views located relative

to each other in accordance with rst-angle projection.

Additional information

First-angle projection is as if the object were sitting on

the paper and, from the face (front) view, it is rolled to
the right to show the left side or rolled up to show its bottom. It is standard throughout Europe and Asia (excluding Japan). First-angle projection was widely used in the
UK, but during World War II, British drawings sent to be
manufactured in the USA, had to be drawn in third-angle
projection. This historical position of the UK means that
some British companies completely adopted third angle
projection. BS 308 (Part 1) Engineering Drawing Practice, gave the option of using both projections, but generally every illustration (other than the ones explaining
the dierence between rst and third-angle) was done in
rst-angle. After the withdrawal of BS 308 in 1999, BS
8888 oered the same choice since it referred directly to
ISO 5456-2, Technical drawings Projection methods
Part 2: Orthographic representations.

MULTIVIEWS WITHOUT ROTATION

two planes is thus closest to the small end of the

cone, hence the rst-angle symbol shows the cone
with its large end away from the donut.

4 Multiviews without rotation

Orthographic multiview projection is derived from the
principles of descriptive geometry and may produce an
image of a specied, imaginary object as viewed from
any direction of space. Orthographic projection is distinguished by parallel projectors emanating from all points
of the imaged object and which intersect of projection
at right angles. Above, a technique is described that obtains varying views by projecting images after the object
is rotated to a desired position.

Descriptive geometry customarily relies on obtaining various views by imagining an object to be stationary, and
changing the direction of projection (viewing) in order
Third-angle is as if the object were a box to be unfolded.
to obtain the desired view.
If we unfold the box so that the front view is in the center
of the two arms, then the top view is above it, the bottom See Figure 1. Using the rotation technique above, note
view is below it, the left view is to the left, and the right that no orthographic view is available looking perpendicview is to the right. It is standard in the USA (ASME ularly at any of the inclined surfaces. Suppose a techY14.3-2003 species it as the default projection system), nician desired such a view to, say, look through a hole
Japan (JIS B 0001:2010 species it as the default projec- to be drilled perpendicularly to the surface. Such a view
might be desired for calculating clearances or for dimention system), Canada, and Australia.
sioning purposes. To obtain this view without multiple
Both rst-angle and third-angle projections result in the
rotations requires the principles of Descriptive Geomesame 6 views; the dierence between them is the arrangetry. The steps below describe the use of these principles
ment of these views around the box.
in third angle projection.
A great deal of confusion has ensued in drafting rooms
and engineering departments when drawings are transferred from one convention to another. On engineering
drawings, the projection angle is denoted by an international symbol consisting of a truncated cone, respectively
for rst-angle and third-angle:
http://www3.ul.ie/~{}rynnet/orthographic_projection_
fyp/images/projection_symbols.png
The 3D interpretation of the symbol can be deduced by
envisioning a solid truncated cone, standing upright with Figures one through nine.
its large end on the oor and the small end upward. The
top view is therefore two concentric circles (donut). In
particular, the fact that the inner circle is drawn with a
Fig.1: Pictorial of imaginary object that the technisolid line instead of dashed identies this view as the top
cian wishes to image.
view, not the bottom view.
In third-angle projection, the top view is pushed
down to the oor, and the front view is pushed
back to the rear wall; the intersection line between
these two planes is therefore closest to the large end
of the cone, hence the third-angle symbol shows the
cone with its large end open toward the donut.
In rst-angle projection, the top view is pulled up
to the ceiling, and the front view is pulled forward
to the front wall; the intersection line between the

Fig.2: The object is imagined behind a vertical plane

of projection. The angled corner of the plane of projection is addressed later.
Fig.3: Projectors emanate parallel from all points of
the object, perpendicular to the plane of projection.
Fig.4: An image is created thereby.
Fig.5: A second, horizontal plane of projection is
added, perpendicular to the rst.

5.2

Elevation

Fig.6: Projectors emanate parallel from all points A cross section is a common method of depicting the inof the object perpendicular to the second plane of ternal arrangement of a 3-dimensional object in two diprojection.
mensions. It is often used in technical drawing and is
traditionally crosshatched. The style of crosshatching in Fig.7: An image is created thereby.
dicates the type of material the section passes through.
Fig.8: A third plane of projection is added, perpen- With computed axial tomography, computers construct
cross-sections from x-ray data.
dicular to the previous two.
Fig.9: Projectors emanate parallel from all points of
the object perpendicular to the third plane of projection.

A 3-D view of a beverage-can stove with a crosssection in yellow.

A 2-D cross-sectional view of a compression seal.
Half-section of a Porsche 996

5.2 Elevation

Figures ten through seventeen.

Fig.10: An image is created thereby.

Fig.11: A fourth plane of projection is added parallel to the chosen inclined surface, and per force,
perpendicular to the rst (Frontal) plane of projection.
Fig.12: Projectors emanate parallel from all points
of the object perpendicularly from the inclined surface, and per force, perpendicular to the fourth
(Auxiliary) plane of projection.
Fig.13: An image is created thereby.

Principal faade of the Panthon, Paris, by Jacques-Germain

Souot.

Fig.14-16: The various planes of projection are unfolded to be planar with the Frontal plane of projec- An elevation is a view of a 3-dimensional object from
tion.
the position of a vertical plane beside an object. In other
words, an elevation is a side-view as viewed from the
Fig.17: The nal appearance of an orthographic front, back, left or right (and referred to as a front elemultiview projection and which includes an vation, [left/ right] side elevation, and a rear elevation).
"Auxiliary view" showing the true shape of an It is the corollary to the concept of a view (which is alinclined surface.
ways overhead and is therefore referred to as an overhead
view).

5
5.1

Views
Section

An elevation is a common method of depicting the external conguration and detailing of a 3-dimensional object
in two dimensions. Building faades are shown as elevations in architectural drawings and technical drawings.

Elevations are the most common orthographic projection

for conveying the appearance of a building from the exterior. Perspectives are also commonly used for this purA section, or cross-section, is a view of a 3-dimensional pose. A building elevation is typically labeled in relaobject from the position of a plane through the object.
tion to the compass direction it faces; the direction from
See also: Cross section (geometry)

which a person views it. E.g. the North Elevation of a

building is the side that most closely faces true north on
the compass.[2]

EXTERNAL LINKS

Another example of an auxiliary view (rather than a

primary view from an orthographic projection).

Interior elevations are used to show detailing such as These allow the true shape/dimension of features at any
angle relative to the main views to be shown .
millwork and trim congurations.
In the building industry elevations are a non-perspective
view of the structure. These are drawn to scale so that
measurements can be taken for any aspect necessary.
Drawing sets include front, rear and both side elevations.
The elevations specify the composition of the dierent
facades of the building, including ridge heights, the positioning of the nal fall of the land, exterior nishes, roof
pitches and other architectural details.

6 See also
Architectural drawing
Cross section (geometry)
Engineering drawing
Graphical projection

5.2.1

Developed Elevation

A developed elevation is a variant of a regular elevation

view in which several adjacent non-parallel sides may be
shown together, as if they have been unfolded. For example, the north and west views may be shown side-by-side,
sharing an edge, even though this does not represent a
proper orthographic projection.

5.3

Plan

See also: Floor plan

A plan is a view of a 3-dimensional object from the position of a horizontal plane through, above, or below the
object. In such views, the portion of the object in front
of the plane is omitted to reveal what lies beyond. In the
case of a oor plan, the roof and upper portion of the
walls may be omitted. Elevations, top (roof) plans, and
bottom plans are orthographic projections, but they are
not sections as their viewing plane is outside of the object.
A plan is a common method of depicting the internal arrangement of a 3-dimensional object in two dimensions.
It is often used in technical drawing and is traditionally
cross-hatched. The style of crosshatching indicates the
type of material the section passes through.

5.4

Auxiliary view

An auxiliary view is a view taken from an angle that is

not one of the primary views.[3][4] An auxiliary view is
a view at an angle used to give deeper insight into the
actual shape of the object. An auxiliary view is used to
show a slanted surface in true size and shape. This is accomplished by providing a view that is perpendicular to
the slanted surface.
An auxiliary view next to three primary views.

Plans (drawings)

7 References
[1] Ingrid Carlbom, Joseph Paciorek (1978), Planar
Geometric Projections and Viewing Transformations, ACM Computing Surveys 10 (4): 465502,
doi:10.1145/356744.356750
[2] Ching, Frank (1985), Architectural Graphics - Second Edition, New York: Van Norstrand Reinhold, ISBN 0-44221862-1
[3] Illustrator Draftsman 3 & 2 - Volume 2 Standard Practices
and Theory, pages 3/49-3/50, from tpub.com
[4] Dorn, Dennis; Mark Shanda (1992), Drafting for the theatre, SIU Press, p. 90, ISBN 0-8093-1508-4

BS 308 (Part 1) Engineering Drawing Practice BS 8888

Technical product documentation and specication ISO
5456-2 Technical drawings Projection methods Part
2: Orthographic Representations (includes the truncated
cone symbol)

8 External links
Educational website describing the principles of rst
and third angle projection University of Limerick
Educational website describing the principles of rst
and third angle projection
Images tagged Elevation on Flickr.com

Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses

9.1

Text

Multiview orthographic projection Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiview%20orthographic%20projection?oldid=655799988

Contributors: Rich Farmbrough, Mdd, Grutness, Firien, Rjwilmsi, Bgwhite, NawlinWiki, DVD R W, SmackBot, GoodDay, Peter Horn,
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DesmondW, Sfan00 IMG, The Thing That Should Not Be, Robert Skyhawk, Stepheng3, Versus22, Addbot, Some jerk on the Internet,
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Amanlamalayu and Anonymous: 47

9.2

Images

File:Axonometric_projection.svg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/48/Axonometric_projection.svg License:

Public domain Contributors: This vector image was created with Inkscape. Original artist: Yuri Raysper
File:Convention_placement_vues_dessin_technique.svg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4d/Convention_
placement_vues_dessin_technique.svg License: CC-BY-SA-3.0 Contributors: Vector version of Image:Convention placement vues dessin
technique.png. Original artist: Fvasconcellos (talk contribs), original drawing by Christophe Dang Ngoc Chan
File:One_thru_Nine_Step_by_Step_Orthographic_Auxiliary_Projection2.png Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/
2/23/One_thru_Nine_Step_by_Step_Orthographic_Auxiliary_Projection2.png License: Cc-by-sa-3.0 Contributors: ? Original artist: ?
File:Orthographic_example.gif Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/8c/Orthographic_example.gif License: PD Contributors: ? Original artist: ?
File:Panthon_Soufflot_-_levation_principale.png Source:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/14/Panth%C3%
A9on_Soufflot_-_%C3%A9levation_principale.png License: Public domain Contributors: Paris BNF, cabinet des estampes Original
artist: Jacques-Germain Souot
File:Question_book-new.svg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/99/Question_book-new.svg License: Cc-by-sa-3.0
Contributors:
Created from scratch in Adobe Illustrator. Based on Image:Question book.png created by User:Equazcion Original artist:
Tkgd2007
File:Ten_through_Seventeen_Step_by_Step_Orthographic_Auxiliary_Projection.png Source:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/
wikipedia/en/1/15/Ten_through_Seventeen_Step_by_Step_Orthographic_Auxiliary_Projection.png License: Cc-by-sa-3.0 Contributors:
? Original artist: ?

9.3

Content license

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