AutoCAD Chapter 3

and Its Applications

S U P P L E M E N TA L
B A S I C S M AT E R I A L S
S t u d e n t We b S i t e

Introduction to Isometric Drawings

The most common type of pictorial drawing used in the drafting industry
is the isometric drawing. See Figure 3B-1. This supplement focuses on tools
and drawing aids that help you create 2D isometric views that look 3D, as if the
object tilts toward you. However, a 3D model provides a better way to display
isometric views, for most applications. AutoCAD and Its Applications—
Advanced describes how to construct 3D models.

Figure 3B-1. An example of a 2D mechanical part drawing with an isometric view used to help
visualize the product.
Isometric drawing view

.886 4X .541(=2.165)
(.541)
5X Ø.197 THRU
Ø.394 .197
Ø.005 M ABC M

.984

.492
B C

.394 .394 .394 .394

.886
1.772
2.657
3.543
8X R.197
3.937
2X R.394 8X R.394 1.969 8X Ø.394
Ø.005 M AB
Ø.005 M

.394
.984
A

UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED APPROVALS DATE

DIMENSIONS ARE IN INCHES (IN.)
TOLERANCES:
.X ± .1
DRAWN DPM MADSEN DESIGNS INC.
.XX ± .01 CHECKED
.XXX ± .005 DAM
TITLE

NOTES:
ANGULAR: ± 10'
APPROVED DPM
SLIDER HINGE CONNECTOR
FINISH: 62µIN.
THIRD ANGLE PROJECTION MATERIAL
1. DIMENSIONS AND TOLERANCES PER ASME Y14.5M-2009. TITANIUM
2. REMOVE ALL BURRS AND SHARP EDGES.
IAA-018-01
FINISH SIZE CAGE CODE DWG NO. REV
ALL OVER B 0
DO NOT SCALE DRAWING SCALE 1:1 SHEET 1 OF 1

pictorial drawing: A drawing that shows the height, width, and depth of an object in a single view.
isometric drawing: A view in which all three axes appear at equal 120° angles with the plane of projection.

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AutoCAD Chapter 3
and Its Applications
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B A S I C S M AT E R I A L S
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The term isometric means equal (iso) measure (metric). An isometric drawing
has no perspective, and therefore edges that are equal in length are drawn equal
in length. The angles between the three principle planes and edges of an object
are equal. See Figure 3B-2A. The vertical edges of an object are parallel to each
other and form measurable isometric lines 90° from horizontal. The horizontal
edges of an object are parallel to each other and form measurable isometric lines
30° from horizontal. All other lines are nonisometric lines. See Figure 3B-2B.
Circular features appear elliptical in an isometric drawing. The Isocircle
option of the ELLIPSE tool, described in Chapter 4, allows you to construct
isometric circles and arcs easily. Isometric text uses a specific obliquing angle
and rotation depending on the plane and drawing application. Chapters 9 and
10 cover AutoCAD text.

Figure 3B-2. A—An isometric drawing creates equal angles between the three principle planes
and edges of an object. B—An example of an isometric drawing with isometric and nonisometric
lines.
Top isometric Nonisometric
plane lines

120°
Right
Left isometric
isometric plane
plane

120° 120° 90°

30° 30°

isometric lines: Lines that are parallel to an axis in an isometric drawing.

nonisometric lines: Lines that are not parallel to the axes in an isometric drawing.

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 AutoCAD Chapter 3
and Its Applications
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B A S I C S M AT E R I A L S
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Isometric Snap
Once you understand the geometric layout of an isometric view, you can use
any point entry method to construct an isometric drawing. Polar coordinates and
dynamic input or dimensional input are common basic point entry options for
isometric construction because they allow you to specify angles. Polar tracking set
to 30° increment angles is also an effective method. One of the most useful aids for
isometric drawing is the Isometric snap option of Snap and Grid modes.
DSETTINGS

Type Use the Snap and Grid tab of the Drafting Settings dialog
DSETTINGS box to set Isometric snap. See Figure 3B-3. A quick way
DS
SE to access the Snap and Grid tab is to right-click on the Grid
Display or Snap Mode button on the status bar and select
Settings…. Pick the Isometric snap radio button in the Snap

Figure 3B-3. Use the Snap and Grid tab of the Drafting Settings dialog box to specify isometric
grid and snap settings.
Specify the isometric
Turn snap on and off snap increment Turn grid on and off

Check when
using
isometric snap
to display the
Isometric grid as a
crosshairs pattern of dots

Pick to set
isometric
snap Specify the
grid spacing

Grid
rotates 30˚

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 AutoCAD Chapter 3
and Its Applications
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type area to activate Isometric snap. Then specify the snap increment using the
Snap Y spacing: text box of the Snap spacing area, and the grid spacing using
the Grid Y spacing: text box of the Grid spacing area. You can only set the Y snap
and grid spacing. The X spacing is not applicable because the X axis relates to
horizontal measurements. For this same reason, you must also check 2D model
space in the Grid style area to display the grid as a pattern of dots.
Activate Grid and Snap modes and you are ready to begin
GRID

Type
GRID drawing. As shown in Figure 3B-3, the grid and crosshairs
[F7]
rotate to an isometric orientation that aids in drawing objects
at isometric angles. Figure 3B-4 shows the steps required
SNAP

Type
SNAP
to construct an isometric cube using the LINE tool. Apply
SN the same techniques to drawing other objects. Notice that
[F9] isometric snap can be very helpful when you are constructing
isometric lines.

Specifying the Isometric Plane

Isometric grid and snap modes orient the grid and snap
ISOPLANE

Type
ISOPLANE to isometric angles. You can align the crosshairs with the
[F5]
left, right, or top isoplane, depending on the plane on which
you plan to draw. See Figure 3B-5. Changing the isoplane
is not required when drawing isometric lines, but doing so
can be helpful for visualization and drawing ease. You must
change the isoplane orientation to construct isometric circles and arcs using the
Isocircle option of the ELLIPSE tool, described in Chapter 4. Press [F5] repeat-
edly to cycle through the isoplanes, or access the ISOPLANE tool and specify the
Left, Top, or Right option, depending on the isoplane orientation appropriate for
the isometric plane on which you plan to draw.

isoplane: One of the three isometric planes: left, right, or top.

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AutoCAD Chapter 3
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Figure 3B-4. Creating a 2 unit × 2 unit cube using isometric grid and snap. Other default
drawing aids are also on to help describe the construction process.

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NOTE
sougsgo.

When using Isometric snap, the crosshairs is always

oriented with the specified isoplane. The isoplane does
not apply to window or crossing selection and similar
operations that use a box to make a selection.

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AutoCAD Chapter 3
and Its Applications
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Figure 3B-5. Adjusting the isoplane orientation of the crosshairs to match a specific isometric
plane.

Left Isoplane Right Isoplane Top Isoplane

150° “X axis” 30° “X axis” 150° “X axis”
90° “Y axis” 90° “Y axis” 30° “Y axis”

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NOTE
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Some of the following activities require the use of a

sougsgo.

decimal-unit isometric template with active isometric grid

and snap modes. If you do not have such a template, create
it now. Then use it as indicated in these activities.

Activity 3B-1
1. Start a new drawing from scratch using the imperial format.
2. Access the Drafting Settings dialog box. On the Snap and Grid tab,
pick the Isometric snap radio button, enter .25 for the Y snap and grid
spacing values, and pick the 2D model space check box.
3. Toggle Grid mode on from the status bar if it is not active.
4. Toggle Snap mode on from the status bar if it is not active.
(Continued.)

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AutoCAD Chapter 3
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Activity 3B-1
5. Access the LINE tool and use grid and snaps to draw the isometric
view shown below. Change the isoplane orientation as appropriate
for drawing objects on each isometric plane. Do not dimension the
drawing.

6. Save the drawing as ACT3B-1.

Copyright by Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Introduction to Isometric Drawings, page 7

AutoCAD Chapter 3
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Activity 3B-2
For each of the following isometric drawings, start a new drawing using a
decimal-unit isometric template that includes active isometric grid and snap
modes. Draw an isometric part view similar to each drawing using dimen-
sions of your choice. Save the drawings using the file names shown.
1.

File name: ACT3B-2A

2.

File name: ACT3B-2B

(Continued.)

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AutoCAD Chapter 3
and Its Applications
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Activity 3B-2
3.

File name: ACT3B-2C

4.

File name: ACT3B-2D

(Continued.)

Copyright by Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Introduction to Isometric Drawings, page 9

AutoCAD Chapter 3
and Its Applications
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Activity 3B-2
5.

File name: ACT3B-2E

6.

File name: ACT3B-2F

Copyright by Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Introduction to Isometric Drawings, page 10