Step 1

Print the Drawing Grids

Three drawing grids are provided to make it easier to sketch Isometrics and Orthographics.  Save each file to your hard drive and print copies as you need them.

• Isometric Grid.  Save the file isogrids.pdf
• Orthographic Grid.  Save the file orthogrids.pdf
• A combined isometric and orthographic grid.  Save the file iso-orthogrids.pdf

These grids were used for all the sketches in this activity.  The combined grid was used for images that have both an isometric and orthographic drawings on them. 

When you watch the videos for the orthographic drawings, you will see counting of the grid lines on the isometric to determine where to place corresponding lines in the orthographic.

Step 2

Practice Sketching Lines

To be proficient at freehand sketching, everyone needs to practice, even professional designers.  And it does take time to become good.  But everyone can develop a level of capability that results in competent drawings that are easy to understand and that look neat and tidy.

This part of the activity focuses on drawing lines neatly and accurately.  It is not a speed test.  Doing them quickly when you are first learning is usually a waste of time and does not result in development of good technique.  Speed will come with practice—practice that focuses on neatness and accuracy. 

Practice Sketching lines.  The more you practice, the better you will get.  Each video clip shows one technique.

• Practice sketching the alphabet of lines.  Do 6 sets with all the lines.  Use the orthographic grid under plain paper to help keep your lines straight

Video Sketching The Alphabet of Lines

• Practice sketching horizontal lines.  Do a dozen or so of each type of line from the alphabet of lines. Use the orthographic grid under plain paper to help keep your lines straight

Video Sketching Horizontal Lines

• Practice sketching vertical lines.  Do a dozen or so of each type of line from the alphabet of lines. Use the orthographic grid under plain paper to help keep your lines straight

  
  Video Sketching Vertical Lines

• Practice sketching isometric lines.  Do a dozen or so of each type of line from the alphabet. Use the isometric grid under plain paper to help keep your lines straight

Video Sketching Isometric Lines

When you are done, make an appropriate entry in your course portfolio

Step 3

Practise Sketching Isometrics

Using the video clip as a lesson on technique, draw each of the following.  Use the isometric grid under your paper to help keep your lines straight. 

• Sketching an Isometric Box

Sketching an Isometric Box

• Sketching an Isometric Box 2

Sketching an Isometric Box 2

• Sketching an Isometric Shape

Sketching an Isometric Shape

• Sketching an Isometric Shape 2

Sketching an Isometric Shape 2

When you are done, make an appropriate entry in your course portfolio

Step 3

Practise Sketching Orthographics

Using the video clip as a lesson on technique, draw each of the following.  Use the orthographic grid under your paper to help keep your lines straight.

• Sketching Orthographics 1

Sketching Orthographics 1

• Sketching Orthographics 2

Sketching Orthographics 2

• Sketching Orthographics 3

Sketching Orthographics 3

When you are done, make an appropriate entry in your course portfolio

Step 3

Practise Sketching Dimensions

Using the video clip as a lesson on technique, draw each of the following.  Use the combination isometric-orthographic grid under your paper to help keep your lines straight.  Draw the isometric, and orthographic views and add the extension and dimension lines in each instance.

• Dimensioning Exercise 1

Dimensioning Exercise 1

• Dimensioning Exercise 2

  
  Dimensioning Exercise 2

• Dimensioning Exercise 3

Dimensioning Exercise 3

• Dimensioning Exercise 4

Dimensioning Exercise 4

When you are done, make an appropriate entry in your course portfolio