TECHNOLOGICAL INSTITITE OF THE PHILIPPINES

ARCHITECTURAL VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS 1:

GRAPHICS 1
INSTRUCTOR: ARCH. MARIEL MAY SAN LUIS

ALPHABET OF LINES

ALPHABET OF LINES
The different lines and line symbols
used on drawings form a kind of
graphic alphabet commonly known as
the alphabet of lines. Two line
widths-thick and thin-are generally
used. Drawings are easier to read
when there is good contrast among
different kinds of lines. All lines
must be uniformly sharp and black.

Visible Object Lines

are thick dark solid
(unbroken) lines that are
used on drawings to
indicate the edges and
details of an object.

13

7.00

10

8
6

1.25

15
7

4
9

14

11

HEX BOLT

SECTION A-A

12

1. Phantom

2. Section

3. Hidden

4. Cutting/viewing

5. Leader

6. Hidden

7. Center

8. Visible/object

9. Extension

10. Break

11. Visible/object

12. Section

13. Extension

14. Break

15. Dimension

Hidden Lines are thin

dashed lines used to
indicate a surface, edge,
or contour of an object
that cannot be seen, or is
hidden from view.

Center lines are thin lines

made up of alternating long
and short dashes. They are
used to indicate the center
of symmetrical features,
such as circles or arcs. They
are used as an aid in
dimensioning.

Section Lines are thin

cross hatching lines used
in sectional views to
symbolize different parts
of an object or different
materials from which an
object is manufactured.

Dimension, Extension and Leader

Lines
are thin lines used for dimensioning
purposes. Dimension and leader lines
generally end with arrow heads and
are accompanied by a number
indicating a size or location
dimension.

Cutting Plane or Viewing Plane

Lines are very thick lines that
indicate where an imaginary
cutting plane passes through an
object, for viewing or
sectioning purposes. Arrowheads
on both ends of the line point
toward the surface to be
viewed.

Break Lines are used to shorten

a view, or to eliminate
repetitive details when an
entire view is not necessary.
Short break lines are thick
wavy freehand lines. Long break
lines are thin straight zigzags.

Phantom Lines are thin

lines used to indicate
alternate positions of
moving parts, lines of
motion, adjacent parts and
repetitive details.