Line Types Used in an Orthographic Projection
Line Type and Weight
Line type and line weight provide valuable information to the print reader.
For example, line type and weight can answer the following questions.
- Is the feature visible or hidden from view?
- Is the line part of the object or part of a dimension?
- Is the line indicating symmetry?
There are four commonly used line types;
- continuous
- hidden
- center
- phantom
Some lines are more important than others. Importance is indicated by line weight or thickness. The thicker the line, the more important it is.
Line types
Visible lines
- Visible lines represent visible edges and boundaries.
- Continuous and thick (0.5 - 0.6 mm).
Hidden lines
- Hidden lines represent hidden edges and boundaries.
- Dashed and medium thick (0.35 - 0.45 mm).
Center lines
- Center lines Represent axes of symmetry.
- Long dash – short dash and thin (0.3 mm).
Phantom lines
- Phantom lines are used to indicate imaginary features such as alternate positions of moving parts and adjacent positions of related parts.
- The line type is long dash – short dash – short dash and the line weight is usually thin (0.3 mm).
Dimension and Extension lines
- Dimension and extension lines are used to show the size of an object. In general, a dimension line is placed between two extension lines and is terminated by arrowheads, which indicates the direction and extent of the dimension.
- The line type is continuous and the line weight is thin (0.3 mm).
Cutting plane lines
- Cutting plane lines are used to show where an imaginary cut has been made through the object in order to view interior features.
- The line type is phantom and the line weight is very thick (0.6 to 0.8 mm).
- Arrows are placed at both ends of the cutting plane line to indicate the direction of sight.
Section lines
- Section lines are used to show areas that have been cut by the cutting plane.
- Section lines are grouped in parallel line patterns and usually drawn at a 45o angle.
- The line type is usually continuous and the line weight is thin (0.3 mm).
Break lines
- Break lines are used to show imaginary breaks in objects.
- A break line is usually made up of a series of connecting arcs.
- The line type is continuous and the line weight is usually thick (0.5 – 0.6 mm).