Graphic Communication
 Isometric Views are one of the forms of 3D views that you need
to know about in the Standard Grade Graphic Communication
course.
 This type of drawing shows the length, breadth, and height of
the object being drawn.
 An isometric is drawn with a corner closest to the viewer.
 All vertical lines and all lines angled back at 30o can be
measured accurately. No other lines on Isometric views can be
measured.

If you are sitting an SQA Credit paper in Graphic Communication, you
will be required to know how to draw isometric views with curves.

This type of drawing is always included in the final paper each year.

The table on the following slide shows when each type of drawing was
used and how many marks were allocated to it.

You will need to know how to draw full and part circles and also
sloping edges and surfaces.

The ability to be able to answer questions about isometrics will be a
great help in letting you reach the pass mark in the Credit exam paper.

If you are sitting the General paper you will need to know how to draw
Isometric Views, although they will not normally include curves and
circles, but will include sloping edges and surfaces.
% of DA mark
available
YEAR
Subject
NUMBER OF FULL
CIRCLES
NUMBER OF PART
CIRCLES
TOTAL MARKS
FOR QUESTION
1991
Electronic Game
Salt Dish (sect)
0
0
4
0
15
12
21%
17%
1992
Disc Box
(exploded)
0
0
18
26%
1993
CD Player
1
1
18
26%
1994
Staple Gun
0
2
14
20%
1995
Torch
1
0
15
21%
1996
Putting Aid
0
1
18
26%
1997
CD Player
1
1
18
26%
1998
Label Machine
1
0
16
23%
1999
Slide Projector
1
0
18
26%
2000
Speakers
1
1
16
23%
2001
Bathroom scales
1
1
16
23%
2002
Coffee maker
1
1
16
23%
2003
Cup holder
1
0
15
21%
YEAR
SUBJECT
EXPLODED
TOTAL MARKS FOR
QUESTION
% of DA mark
available
1991
Fireplace
Prism - Box (sketch)
Yes
No
12
8
17%
11%
1992
Bracket
No
10
14%
1993
Plant Pot Holder
Yes
16
22%
1996
Torch
Yes
15
21%
1997
Box
Yes
12
17%
1998
Plant Pot Stand
(exploded)
Yes
16
22%
Burglar Alarm
No
8
11%
1994
1995
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
 Start the
isometric circle
by drawing the
front elevation
and the plan of
the cylinder to
be drawn.

•
Choose a suitable
point ‘X’ on the
elevation and plan
and a suitable
position to start the
isometric view.
Draw an isometric
crate to fit the
isometric view into.
Use 30o and vertical
lines for the angles of
the lines. The overall
size of the crate
should be the exact
size of the isometric
view to be drawn.
x
x
x
 Draw centre
lines on the
isometric view.
Use 30o and
vertical lines
for this.
x
x
x

Divide the
orthographic circle
into 12 equal parts
using 30o and 60o
lines generated out
from the centre.
x
12
11
1
10
Number each of the
points where the
generators cut the
circumference of the
circle – usually done
in the same format as
a clock.
2
9
3
8
4
7
6
5
x
x

Project points where
generator lines cut
circumference of circle
down and up to
horizontal centre line
of circle.
Measure horizontal sizes
of projected points along
centre line with
compasses and transfer
these sizes onto 30o
isometric centre line.
Project vertical lines
through these points so
that circumference points
can be found.
x
12
11
1
10
2
9
3
8
4
7
6
5
x
x

Using compasses,
measure the
vertical distances
from the centre line
up and down to
each of the points
on the
circumference in
turn.
11
x
12
11
1
10
1
9
2

Transfer each of
these dimensions
onto the isometric
view.
Number each of the
points.
2
8
9

12
10
3
8
4
7
6
5
3
7
4
6
5
x
x

Draw a smooth
curve through each
of the points to
show the
circumference of
the isometric circle.
11
x
12
11
1
10
12
10
1
9
2
2
8
9
3
8
4
7
6
5
3
7
4
6
5
x
x

To show the thickness of
the cylinder in the
isometric view it is
necessary to project each
of the points found back
at 30o.
Measure the thickness of
the cylinder on the plan
using compasses and
transfer these sizes onto
the isometric. (In this case
all of the sizes are the
same but this may not
always be the case).
It is not necessary to
transfer all of the
dimensions as all of the
points will not be seen at
the end – however if in
doubt it is better to
transfer all and then only
use the required ones.
11
x
12
11
1
10
12
10
1
9
2
2
8
9
3
8
4
7
6
5
3
7
4
6
5
x
x


It is necessary to find two final
points – the tangent points - to
indicate how far out past points
4 and 5 and points 10 and 11
that the curve passes.
This can be done in two ways –
by finding points A and B on
the elevation and transferring
these points to the isometric in
the same way as points 1 to 12.
– or by drawing diagonal lines
on the isometric to find where
the corresponding points occur
on the front curve in the
isometric.
These points can then be
projected back and measured as
before to find the final positions.
Finally, draw a smooth curve
through each of the points
found.
10
A
x
12
11
10
1
A
11
12
1
9
2
2
8
9
3
8
7
6
5
B
4
3
7
6
4
5B
x
x

To finish the
drawing darken the
required part of the
outline of the curve.
Complete the two
edges to join the two
curves together.
10
A
x
12
11
10
1
A
11
12
1
9
2
2
8
9
3
8
7
6
5
B
4
3
7
6
4
5B
x
x

This is the final
Isometric View of
the cylinder.
x
x
x
Department Of Technical Education