COTM 1081 – Descriptive Geometry

Chair of visual art

May 25, 2013
 Paraline Projections

• Introduction
- kind of shorthand for creating
a three-dimensional sense of
an object.
- All lines parallel in reality are
parallel in the drawing.
- Images can be drawn rapidly
and to scale
 Paraline Projections

• Pictorial Characteristics
- Always aerial or worm’s eye
views.
- Parallel lines in the subject
remain parallel in the drawing.
- All axial lines are scalable.
Conversely, no axial lines are
never scalable
 Paraline Projections

• Types of Paraline Projections

1. Axonometric projections
2. Oblique projections
* Plan Obliques
* Elevation Obliques

- Each types offers a slightly different viewpoint

and emphasizes different aspects of the drawn
subject
 Paraline Projections

• Axonometric projections

- An orthographic projection of a three-dimensional form

that is inclined to the picture plane in such a way that its
three principal axes are foreshortened.

- Three main types

* Isometric
* Dimetric
* Trimetric
 Paraline Projections

• Isometric projections
- It’s three principal axes make equal angles with the picture
plane & are equally foreshortened.
- all three principal sets of planes share equal emphasis
- The most commonly used
 Paraline Projections

• Dimetric projections
- two of the principal axes are equally foreshortened & the
3rd appears longer or shorter than the other two.
 Paraline Projections

• Trimetric projections
- All three principal axes are foreshortened at a different
rate
 Paraline Projections

• Oblique projections

- Represent a three-dimensional form by projecting parallel

lines at some convenient angle other than 90 degree to the
picture plane.
- The principal of the object is usually oriented parallel to the
picture plane and is therefore represented in accurate size,
shape and proportion.
- Two principal types
* Plan Obliques
* Elevation Obliques
 Paraline Projections

• Plan Obliques
- Orient the horizontal planes of the subject parallel to the
picture plane
- The horizontal planes shown in true size & shape
- Plan views use as a base drawing.
 Paraline Projections

• Plan Obliques
 Paraline Projections

• Elevation Obliques
- Orient one principal set of vertical planes of the subject parallel the
picture plane
- The vertical plane therefore shown in true size & shape
- An elevation can be used as a base drawing.
 Paraline Projections

• Elevation Obliques
PERSPECTIVE PROJECTION
PERSPECTIVE PROEJCTION
 Perspective Projections

• Introduction
- The simulation of a real time view
of the object in space
- This complies with the basic
human visual perceptive abilities.
- Portrays a three-dimensional
form by projecting all of its
points to a picture plane by a
straight lines that converge at a
fixed point.
- Depicts how an environment
might appear to the eye of an
observer from a particular
vantage point looking in specific
direction.
 Perspective Projections

• Types of Perspective projection

1. One-point perspective

2. Two-point Perspective

3. Three-point perspective
 Perspective Projections
One-point perspective
 Perspective Projections
Two-point perspective
 Perspective Projections
Three-point perspective
 Perspective Projections
• In the study of perspective there are several terms or
concepts that are fundamental:
•Cone of Vision
•Picture Plane
•Height Line
•Eye-Level or Horizon Line
•Ground Line
•Vanishing point
 Perspective Projections
•Cone of Vision
Cone of Vision helps us to obtain the limits of the drawing. For
the purpose of perspective drawing, the extents of the cone of
vision is usually limited to 60o or less.

This means that any object or part of an object which is

outside this cone of vision will be distorted.

To obtain a wider coverage with the cone of vision it is

necessary to move back from the object; it is not enough simply
to widen the cone of vision. However, moving back will make
changes to the view of the object.
Perspective Projections
•Cone of Vision
 Perspective Projections
•Cone of Vision

When deciding on the position

from which the building or object
should be seen it is necessary to
fit the whole inside the cone of
vision. This sets the distance from
which one should view the object.
The center line of this cone is
known as the center line of
vision. This line is represented by
a vertical line in plan and by a
horizontal line in elevation. This
shows that the center line of
vision is parallel to the ground
plane. The apex of the cone of
vision is known as the station
point.
 Perspective Projections
•Cone of Vision
Note that objects viewed at close
range tend to distort. The
station point should therefore be
arranged so that a convincing
picture is obtained. To correct
distortions we can simply
move back but this will
change the view of the
object. The station point is
usually assumed to be 1.80 mt
above the ground level, which is
almost the height of the normal
eye-level of a human being.
However this height could be
adjusted upon desire to suit
particular preferences and
requirements.
 Perspective Projections
•Cone of Vision

N.B.:- To correct distortions we can simply move back but this will change the view of the object.
 Perspective Projections
• Picture Plane

The picture plane is an

imaginary plane on which
the perspective is to be
drawn. In any given
perspective projection
the picture plane
appears as a line in plan
and is always at right
angles to the center line
of vision. The picture
plane is also at right
angle to the ground
plane.
 Perspective Projections
Note that the closer to the • Picture Plane
observer the picture plane
is placed the smaller the
perspective drawing will be.
However it is the size of
the object which is
affected, the view of the
object remains constant. In
determining the location of
the picture plane one can
control the output size of a
perspective drawing right
from the beginning of the
projection.
 Perspective Projections
• Height Line
The Height line is the
line in the perspective
projection used for all
vertical heights, which
are measured using the
same scale as the plan
from which the
projection is being made.
The location of this line
is found by projecting a
line as the continuation
of one of the sides of
the plan of the object
back or forwards to
meet the picture plane.
 Perspective Projections

From the point of

intersection of the
picture plane and the
projected line a vertical
line is drawn to cross the
eye-level or horizon line.
 Perspective Projections
• Eye Level or Horizon Line

The Eye-level is the

horizontal line drawn at
a convenient point
above or below the plan
of the picture plane.
This line represents
the height of the
observer’s eye and all
heights are measured in
relation to this line.
 Perspective Projections
• Ground Line

The ground line in

perspective projection is 1.80 mt
the line of the ground in
relation to the eye-level.
Under normal
circumstances this is
considered to be 1.80 mt.
below the eye-level or
the horizon line.
 Perspective Projections
• Vanishing point
Vanishing points are points
located on the picture
plane and the horizon line
to which the lines of the
perspective projection of
the object will converge.
The vanishing points are
found by drawing lines
from the station point
parallel to the sides of the
object to meet the
picture plane in plan. The
angle between the two
lines from the station
point must always be at
right angle.
 Perspective Projections
•Types of Perspective Projections
•Two-Point Perspective
•Most commonly used for exteriors of buildings
 Perspective Projections

•Two-Point Perspective
Procedures
1. Use a convenient
scale, draw the plan
and elevations of the
object, in this case a
rectangular prism or
block.
 Perspective Projections

2. Decide on a point from which it is wished to view the object. This

is the position of the eye of the spectator, point S.
 Perspective Projections

3. Place the plan and point S so that they are vertically aligned, the
vertical line drawn being the center line of vision. It is important
to check that the object viewed from point S falls within the 60o
cone of vision. Any part of the object which falls outside this cone
will be subject to distortion.
 Perspective Projections

4. Select somewhere along the direct line of vision a point through

which the picture plane is drawn at right angles. The picture plane
is an imaginary vertical plane on to which is projected the required
view of the object.
 Perspective Projections

5. Draw lines from point S parallel to the sides of the object as far
as the picture plane. The points where these lines cross the
picture plane are VP1 and VP2. These are the vanishing points along
the eye-level to which in the in the perspective the outlines of the
sides of the object will converge.
 Perspective Projections

6. Draw another line [showed dotted] in continuation of one or other

of the sides of the object as far as the picture plane. This gives a
point on the picture plane for the position of the height line.
 Perspective Projections

7. Locate at some convenient distance above the picture plane a

horizontal line; this line represents the eye-level of the spectator
or the horizon line and to it are projected the perpendiculars from
the picture plane from VP1, VP2 and the point for the height line.
 Perspective Projections

8. Locate the Ground line; this line represents the normal level of the
ground below the eye-level of the spectator. This line will be 1.80
mts below the eye-level for a spectator standing on level ground
looking at the object. The height can vary if the spectator’s
position is above or below the object.
 Perspective Projections
9. Locate the points of the object on the picture plane. These points
are located by drawing lines from point S through the various
points of the object as far as the picture plane. Project
perpendiculars from these points to approximately the eye-level or
horizon line.
 Perspective Projections
10. Locate the base of the object by drawing a line from VP1 through
the point where the height line and the ground line intersect and
continue until it crosses the perpendiculars from the two front
points of the object. This locates the length of the object in
perspective.
 Perspective Projections
11. Locate the base of the object by drawing a line from VP1 through
the point where the height line and the ground line intersect and
continue until it crosses the perpendiculars from the two front
points of the object. This locates the length of the object in
perspective.
 Perspective Projections
12. Obtain the height of the object in perspective. From the ground
line measure up the height line the height of the object, using the
same scale as used in the preparation of the plan and elevations.
From VP1 draw a line through this point to the same perpendiculars
as used in the preceding step, which will give the top line of the
front of the object in perspective.
 Perspective Projections

13. Join up the various lines to VP1 and VP2 to show the object in
perspective.
 Perspective Projections

•One-Point Perspective
•[ also known as parallel or interior perspective]
- The basis for this method is the same as that of a two-point
perspective. Here, we shall use an example to illustrate the
process:
Consider the figure below;
1. Assume AD, BC, EH, FH is a plan
 Perspective Projections
2. Point S is the position of the
eye of the spectator looking
directly into the room

3. The picture plane is purposely

taken in the same plane as the
end wall of the room, i.e. plane
ABCD

4. In plan, lines are drawn from S

through the near corners of
the room, EH and FG, to meet
the picture plane
 Perspective Projections
5. The elevation of the end wall ABCD is
now drawn to scale immediately
above the plan; the height of the
eye-level is determined and a
horizontal line drawn across it

6. Where the direct line of vision,

continued up from the plan, cuts the
eye-level is vanishing point VP1 for
all lines running parallel from VP1
through A, B, C, and D to meet the
projection of EH and FG to the
picture plane, the sides, floor and
ceiling of the room in perspective

7. Notice how the horizontal and

vertical lines on the side walls are
drawn
 Perspective Projections

•Openings on walls
1. In plan, points L and M
represent vertical lines on
the left-hand wall of the
room, e.g. window or door.
By drawing through these
points from point S to the
picture plane and projecting
perpendiculars upwards, the
line can be drawn are drawn
in their correct position on
the side of the wall in
perspective

2. KJ is a horizontal line on the

same wall
 Perspective Projections
3. The height of the line
above the floor or the
distance below the
ceiling could be taken
from the elevation or
section drawing and
marked with the same
scale on the height line,
which in this case lies
on the far end wall
where the picture plane
is located

4. The line could now be

drawn in perspective
from VP1