Isometric Drawings Basics and Applications

Welcome back to the basics. In this post, let's talk about ISOMETRIC drawing ... (again). 

(For past posts about isometric drawings, tips, techniques and practices, click >> ISOMETRIC)

The Isometric drawing is one of many 3D drawing techniques you can use to present your ideas. They are both useful and easy to produce, but they are not the best 3D simulation of an object.

Easy-Peasy

Easy because a basic block is simply three pairs of parallel line (see the gif presentation above). 

However, a simple as it may sound, most students struggle with getting the pairs of parallel lines right -- as a result, they often end up with distorted blocks. Look, this can get pretty mental, especially when one sincerely thinks he's got the parallel line orientations the right way, when in reality, they diverge in different directions. You can call that 'sleeping', or unconsciousness.

Unfortunately, the only way to get past this frustration is to develop a sense of awareness that the lines have strayed, and to be able to correct its path - and an intention to practice (getting them right). Which means sketching, and more sketching practices.

I have students who never seem to get past decent. The only reason seems to be -- no practice.

Usefulness

Definitely one of the most effective (and commonest) 3D drawing technique around. One isometric perspective shows all three views of a single object. 

The downside is when you have a looooooog object, this is where it begins to look funny. You know that when an object is far away, visually, they get smaller. Not that they become physically smaller, but perspectively, due to distance, they appear smaller. But that is not the case at all with an isometric drawing. You can have a full kilometer long 20mmx20mm cross section bar drawn full-scale on paper, the end of the rod will look just as big (or tiny) as the front. 

If you must solve that problem of forever-parallel-lines, the close cousin of isometric is the 2-point perspective. Just in case you might be curious about who's the cousin of 1-point perspective -- that's the oblique drawing.

Applied Isometric Drawings 

In the real world of objects and products, things are more than just three pairs of parallel lines.

In addition to learning how to draw a basic 3D isometric block (long, short, wide, narrow, fat, skinny, and so on), you've got to be able to manage slopes, curves, slots, holes, debosses and embosses too (see here >> ISOMETRIC). Have a look around you. Identify how many things you have that is a square block. Probably none.

The example (below) shows the evolution of ONE basic 3D isometric block, expanding into an infinite surficial possibilities. Generally, the following list are three extras mixed into and/or added to a block, to make any known or imagined forms: 

1. block cuts and add-ons (stack ups)

2. slope cuts (non-isometric lines)

3. ellipse (holes, fillets)

One VERY IMPORTANT (or rather, INTERESTING) point to note, is that, each of the three extras listed above MUST (or preferably) be generated from ... an exactly proportioned isometric block.

Look closely at each drawing. You'll notice in every cut, slot, hole, slope, and so on, is a guide-box. A square (or rectangular) cut is another wire-framed box within or outside (stacked or extended). A non-isometric slope is derived from two points marked on two isometric edges. An ellipse (the isometric perspective of a 2D circle) - from an isometric surface - on both ends of a block makes a cylinder, or a flat-topped cone.

Conclusion

The isometric drawing technique is a useful tool both in sketching and drawing, throughout the design process. They can be used for quick ideation sketches to detailed working drawings. Anyone can learn how to sketch and draw an isometric. But a decent and convincing sketch is more than just technical proficiency. Sketching and drawing is an ART - a line has flow and life. Every stroke is significant line from light drafts, to pin-point guides, to the last finished line.

For more examples, look here > ISOMETRIC). You may find something relevant and useful for your learning and exploration. Email me if you wish to see an expansion or demonstration on how to draw any of the isometric drawings you see above.

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