ACHIEVING COMPETENCE IN

PREPARING/INTERPRETING TECHNICAL DRAWING

ISOMETRIC DRAWING

This is the first of the modular series produced by the

Jacobo Z. Gonzales Memorial School of Arts and Trades –
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
Region IV-A

Version No.: 1
Performing Drawing Fundamentals Date: May 12, 2006
JZGMSAT By: Glenn F. Salandanan
TESDA IV Page 1 of 15
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Content Page Number

I. LEARNING GUIDE OVERVIEW …………………………………... …….. 3

II. HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE ……………………………………………….. 4
III. LEARNING ACTIVITIES ……………………………………………………. 5
IV. INFORMATION SHEET
A. ISOMETRIC DRAWING THEORY ……………………………….……. 6
B. NON-ISOMETRIC LINES ………………………………………………. 7
C. ANGLES IN ISOMETRIC ………………………………………………. 8
D. CIRCLES IN ISOMETRIC………………………………………………..9
V. SELF CHECK ………………………………………………………………... 11
VI. ASSIGNMENT SHEET: ISOMETRIC CIRCLES ………………………… 12
VII. JOB SHEET
1. ISOMETRIC DRAWING ………………………………….……13
VIII. ANSWER KEY ………………………………………………………………. 15
IX. RECORD OF COMPETENCE …………………………………….………. 16

Version No.: 1
Performing Drawing Fundamentals Date: May 12, 2006
JZGMSAT By: Glenn F. Salandanan
TESDA IV Page 2 of 15
LEARNING GUIDE OVERVIEW

Isometric drawing is a popular method used to prepare pictorial views. It is usually

preferred to oblique method since it reduces much of the distortion that oblique drawing
produces.

This learning material includes definition of terms in isometric drawing and isometric
drawing theory will also be discussed. Difference between isometric and non-isometric lines are
also included. To measure the level of learning, students will layout object parts in isometric.

OBJECTIVES When you have successfully completed the learning activities in this
material, you will be able to:
1. Define isometric drawing;
2. Discuss isometric drawing theory;
3. Identify isometric and non-isometric lines;
4. Sketch and draw isometric drawing; and,
5. Make circles and arcs in isometric.

CONTENTS This learning material includes the following:

1. Isometric Drawing Theory
2. Non-Isometric Lines
3. Angles in Isometric
4. Circles in Isometric

PRE-REQUISITES The completion of this learning material requires you to have a basic
understanding of:

If you are unfamiliar with any of the above concepts, work on

___________________________before working on this learning guide.

Version No.: 1
Performing Drawing Fundamentals Date: May 12, 2006
JZGMSAT By: Glenn F. Salandanan
TESDA IV Page 3 of 15
HOW TO USE THIS LEARNING GUIDE

This Learning Guide will lead you through a series of activities which will require you to
work at your own pace. These activities will ask you to complete associated learning
and practice activities in order to gain the knowledge and skills you need to achieve the
learning objectives stated earlier.

Refer to Learning Activity Page to know the sequence of learning tasks to undergo
and the appropriate resources to use in each task. This page will serve as your road
map towards the achievement of objectives.

Read the information sheets. This will give you an understanding of the work, and why
things are done the way they are.

Complete the activities as directed in the activity/practice sheets. These will test your
knowledge and give you practice of doing the tasks involved. Performance criteria for
assessing practical exercise are shown to guide you in undertaking the practical
exercises. Always be aware of safety requirements highlighted in this material. Ask for
clearance in using some tools and equipment. Should you require some assistance and
clarification, consult your trainer or facilitator. They should be available anytime you
need them.

Answer self-checks found in each section of the learning guide. Do not write anything
on this learning guide; provide separate sheets for your answers. Self-checks will let
you know how you are going. To know how you fared with self-checks, review the
answer keys found at the end of the learning guide.

When you had completed all the tasks required in this learning guide, an assessment
exercise will be given to evaluate if you are already competent with the specified
learning outcomes in and ready for the next task. .If you feel ready for the assessment,
consult the facilitator.

A record of competency is provided on the last page to reflect how much of the
required assessment criteria have been met.

You may already have some or most of the knowledge and skills covered in this
learner’s guide. Talk to your trainer about having them formally recognized. If you have
qualification or certificate of competence from previous training, show it to your trainer. If
the skills you acquired are still current and relevant to the unit of competency they may
become part of the evidence you can present for Recognition of Prior Learning
(RPL). If you are not sure about the accuracy of your skills, discuss it with your trainer.

Version No.: 1
Performing Drawing Fundamentals Date: May 12, 2006
JZGMSAT By: Glenn F. Salandanan
TESDA IV Page 4 of 15
LEARNING ACTIVITIES
In order to accomplish the objectives stated in this leaning guide, you must
perform the learning steps below. Beside each step are the resources or special
instructions you will use to accomplish the corresponding activity.

RESOURCES/SPECIFIC
LEARNING STEPS
INSTRUCTIONS

1. Student will ask the instructor of 1. Instructor will provide the learning
the materials to be used materials in First-Angle Projection

2. Read: Information Sheet No. 1 2. Information sheet No 1: Isometric

Drawing

3. Answer: Self Check 3. Self Check: Isometric Drawing

4. Perform: Assignment Sheet No. 1 4. Assignment Sheet No. 1:

Isometric Circles

5. The instructor will further explain

how to make isometric circles in
all planes of projection

5. Perform: Job Sheet No. 1 6. Job Sheet No. 1: Isometric

Drawing

Version No.: 1
Performing Drawing Fundamentals Date: May 12, 2006
JZGMSAT By: Glenn F. Salandanan
TESDA IV Page 5 of 15
INFORMATION SHEET NO: 1

ISOMETRIC DRAWING
A. ISOMETRIC DRAWING THEORY
Isometric drawing represents three dimensions on a two dimensional surface (your
drawing). These dimensions are: X – Height; Y – Width; and Z – Depth.

In order to master Isometric drawing, you will need to remember these four fundamental
principles:

1. All lines on the same axis remain parallel and do not

meet.

2. All lines are based on a 120° grid.

3. There’s no diminution (things do not get smaller in the

distance).

4. There’s no horizon line on the page – you are either FIG. 1. ISOMETRIC AXES
looking from a diagonal angle up or down.

FIG. 2. ISOMETRIC BOXES FIG. 3. LINES ON THE SAME AXIS REMAIN

PARALLEL

Figure 2 shows these two isometric boxes, all lines are parallel and all corners of the
objects have 120° angle.

Version No.: 1
Performing Drawing Fundamentals Date: May 12, 2006
JZGMSAT By: Glenn F. Salandanan
TESDA IV Page 6 of 15
 FIG. 4. USE OF 30° X 60° TRIANGLE IN FIG. 5. USING THE 120° ISOMETRIC GRID
CONSTRUCTING ISOMETRIC OBJECT.

A 30°X60°X90° triangle is a useful tool to help you construct an isometric drawing. Also,
Isometric grids can be used to assist you in this view.

B. NON-ISOMETRIC LINES

If you examine the isometric drawing shown below, you will note that each line in the
drawing is parallel to one or another of the legs of the isometric axis. You will also notice that
each line is a normal line in the multi-view projection. Recall that a normal line is a line that, in a
normal multi-view projection, is parallel to two of the planes of projection and perpendicular to
the third.

FIG. 6. ISOMETRIC LINES PARALLEL TO THE THREE ISOMETRIC AXES

Version No.: 1
Performing Drawing Fundamentals Date: May 12, 2006
JZGMSAT By: Glenn F. Salandanan
TESDA IV Page 7 of 15
 FIG. 7. A NON-ISOMETRIC LINE (AB) IN AN ISOMETRIC DRAWING.

NON-ISOMETRIC LINE is a line that

is not parallel to any one of the three legs of
the isometric axis. It is not a normal line in a
normal multi-view projection of the object.

The part of Figure 7 shows a two-

view normal multi-view projection of a block.
Though the line AB is parallel to the
horizontal plane of projection, it is oblique to
both the vertical and the profile planes. It is
therefore not a normal, but an oblique line in
the multi-view projection, and it will be a
non-isometric line in an isometric projection
or drawing of the same object.

C. ANGLES IN ISOMETRIC

In a normal multiview drawing of an

object, an angle will appear in its true size.
In an isometric drawing, an angle never
appears in its true size. Even an angle
formed by normal lines, such as each of the
90° corner angles of the block shown in the
bottom part of Figure 8, appears distorted in
isometric.
The same principle used in
transferring a non-isometric line is used to
transfer an angle in isometric. The upper
part of Figure 8 shows a two-view
orthographic projection of a block. On the
top face of the block, the line AB makes a
40° angle with the front edge. The line AB is
an oblique (that is, not normal) line, which
will appear as a non-isometric line in the
isometric drawing. You locate the end points
of AB on the isometric drawing by
measuring distances along normal lines on
the multi-view projection and laying them off
along the corresponding isometric lines on
the isometric drawing. The angle that
measures 40° on the top multi-view drawing
measures only about 32° on the isometric
drawing. Note, however, that it is labeled
40° on the isometric drawing. This is

Version No.: 1
Performing Drawing Fundamentals Date: May 12, 2006
JZGMSAT By: Glenn F. Salandanan
TESDA IV Page 8 of 15
because it actually is a 40° angle, as it
would look on a surface plane at the
isometric angle of inclination.

FIG. 8. DRAWING AN ANGLE IN ISOMETRIC.

D. CIRCLES IN ISOMETRIC
A circle in a normal multiview projection will appear as an ellipse in an isometric drawing.
This is shown in Figure 9, view A. The procedure that maybe used to construct an
isometric circle is shown in Figure 9, view B.
1. Draw the isometric center lines of the circle. Then, using those center lines, lay off an
isometric square with sides equal to the diameter of the circle.

FIG. 9. (A) CIRCLE ON A NORMAL MULTIVIEW APPEARS AS AN ELLIPSE IN AN

ISOMETRIC DRAWING.
(B) FOUR-POINT METHOD IS USED IN MAKING AN ISOMETRIC CIRCLE.

2. From the near corners of the box, draw bisectors to the opposite intersections of the
centerlines and the box. The bisectors will intersect at four points (A, A´, B, B´), which
will be the centers of four arcs.
3. Draw two large arcs with radius R, using Points A and A´ as centers, Draw the two
smaller arcs with radius r, using Points B and B´ as centers.

Version No.: 1
Performing Drawing Fundamentals Date: May 12, 2006
JZGMSAT By: Glenn F. Salandanan
TESDA IV Page 9 of 15
SELF- CHECK NO. 1
Check your mastery in Isometric Drawing by completing the tasks below.

MATCHING TYPE. Match pictorial drawings A to M with Orthographic drawings. Simply write
the letter of your choice below the corresponding numbers.

Version No.: 1
Performing Drawing Fundamentals Date: May 12, 2006
JZGMSAT By: Glenn F. Salandanan
TESDA IV Page 10 of 15
ASSIGNMENT SHEET NO. 1

Isometric Circle
A. Objectives:

After completing the activity you should be able to:

1. Draw isometric circle based from a given diameter;
2. Draw isometric circle in three planes of projection; and,
3. Produce properly drawn isometric circle.

B. Tool and Materials:

A4 size drawing paper T-square

Eraser Triangles (30ºx60º, 45ºx45º)
Drawing pencil Masking tape

C. Procedure

CIRCLES IN ISOMETRIC
1. Draw the isometric center lines of the circle. Then, using those center lines, lay off an
isometric square with sides equal to the diameter of the circle.

(A) CIRCLE ON A NORMAL MULTIVIEW APPEARS AS AN ELLIPSE IN AN ISOMETRIC DRAWING.

(B) FOUR-POINT METHOD IS USED IN MAKING AN ISOMETRIC CIRCLE.

4. From the near corners of the box, draw bisectors to the opposite intersections of the
center lines and the box. The bisectors will intersect at four points (A, A´, B, B´), which
will be the centers of four arcs.
5. Draw two large arcs with radius R, using Points A and A´ as centers, Draw the two
smaller arcs with radius r, using Points B and B´ as centers.

PROBLEM:
1. Draw an isometric circles in all of the three planes of projection. A given diameter of 50mm
is required.
Note: Size of the construction (crate) lines should be 50mm in all axes.

Version No.: 1
Performing Drawing Fundamentals Date: May 12, 2006
JZGMSAT By: Glenn F. Salandanan
TESDA IV Page 11 of 15
JOB SHEET NO. 1

Isometric Drawing
A. Objectives:

After completing the activity you should be able to:

a. Show the three main views of the given isometric drawing in first-angle
projection;
b. Draw symbol for first-angle projection; and,
c. Produce properly drawn orthographic drawing in first-angle projection.

B. Tool and Materials:

A4 size drawing paper T-square

Eraser Triangles (30ºx60º, 45ºx45º)
Drawing pencil Masking tape

C. Procedure

STEPS IN ISOMETRIC DRAWING

1. Choose the orientation. Make sure the front view is along the left side of the isometric
drawing. The length of the object should be projected back at 330°.
2. Sketch the overall block that will represent the isometric drawing. Do your best to align
the drawing in the middle of the sheet. (do not allow portions of the drawing to be cut off)

SEVERAL STEPS IN MAKING ISOMETRIC DRAWING

3. Add construction line details (you may make mistakes). Details consist of circles, arcs,
holes, angled lines, or any other lines that represent unique features in the object.
(details should be sketched using 4H lead)
4. Darken visible lines. Using your 2H lead (for finished drawings) darken the edges of your
object to make them stand out to the viewer.

Version No.: 1
Performing Drawing Fundamentals Date: May 12, 2006
JZGMSAT By: Glenn F. Salandanan
TESDA IV Page 12 of 15
DRAWING PROBLEM

The isometric drawing should be made using A4 drawing sheet as assigned. On

drawings to be executed with instruments, show all construction lines required in the solution.

PROBLEM 1. Draw the isometric drawing of the given multiview. Refer the
measurements above. Omit dimension

Version No.: 1
Performing Drawing Fundamentals Date: May 12, 2006
JZGMSAT By: Glenn F. Salandanan
TESDA IV Page 13 of 15
ANSWER KEY NO. 1
Check your answer with the answer key below. If you fail to get it right, refer back to
corresponding resources until you make it perfect.

1. E 5. C 9. L

2. H 6. D 10. A

3. M 7. G 11. B

4. K 8. J 12. F

Version No.: 1
Performing Drawing Fundamentals Date: May 12, 2006
JZGMSAT By: Glenn F. Salandanan
TESDA IV Page 14 of 15
RECORD OF COMPETENCE

Below are your assessment ratings:

ASSESSMENT /PERFORMANCE
CRITERIA YES NO

1. Know isometric drawing theory

2. Isometric drawing from the given

orthographic projection are
properly drawn using necessary
drawing instruments

Version No.: 1
Performing Drawing Fundamentals Date: May 12, 2006
JZGMSAT By: Glenn F. Salandanan
TESDA IV Page 15 of 15