Youth Explore Trades Skills Design and Drafting – 2D Drawing

Scale and Dimensioning

Description
In this activity, the teacher will first select an object that is larger than the page and scale it to fit
in the designated drawing area to explain architectural imperial scale. Second, the teacher will
then dimension the scaled object using standard conventions. Students will use paper with a
title block to complete this activity. Students will also continue to improve their skills with lettering
techniques and lineweights.

Lesson Objectives
The student will be able to:
• Complete a board set-up
• Identify and appropriately use drafting tools
• Differentiate lineweights by varying pencil pressure while creating scale drawings of
objects
• Determine the appropriate scale to ensure an object is proportionally drawn
• Incorporate dimensioning standards
• Refine lettering techniques

Assumptions
The student will:
• Have a basic knowledge of drafting tools and equipment
• Understand the basics of appropriate use of drafting equipment
• Have previously drawn a title block for use in completing this activity

Terminology
Aligned dimensions: numerical dimension values that are aligned with the direction of the
dimension line. The drawing therefore has to be turned to correctly read the dimensions.
Border lines: thick, dark lines used to create a solid border around a blank page.
Dimensions: a measurement of something in a specific linear direction. Most often this includes
the length, width, and height of an object.
Dimension lines: lines spanning the distance between extension lines; they have arrowheads
and include a numerical dimension measurement.
Drafting board: a flat, smooth surface usually covered in vinyl, which helps to hold paper affixed
to it. It has square, parallel edges that allow a T-square to slide easily.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License unless otherwise indicated.
Scale and Dimensioning (Architectural Board Drafting) Design and Drafting – 2D
Drawing

Drafting brush: used to sweep away debris from a drawing so it does not smear the full drawing.
Eraser shield: a micro-thin piece of metal with cut-outs that allow the user to erase
detailed sections of a drawing without erasing the rest of the drawing.
Extension line: small lines that extend outward from an object or feature to indicate a dimension
point.
Guide lines: thin, light lines drawn using the lettering guide for evenly spaced letters.
Layout lines: very light lines used to lay out measurements before those measurements are
drawn in heavy dark lines.
Lettering guide: used to assist in the drawing of uniform lines to draw consistent, evenly-
spaced lettering.
Lineweight: the thickness and darkness of drawn lines.
Masking tape (drafting dots): holds drawing paper/vellum to the drafting board so the paper
does not shift while drawing.
Pencil: a drawing utensil with a mechanical or solid core (lead). Leads range from hard to soft:
6H, 4H, 2H, H, HB, 2B, 4B, 6B. H is very hard with a fine point and B is extremely soft with a
blunt point. A hardness of 2H will be used for these activities.
Precision drawing: creating drawings with specialized tools and equipment.
Scale: a ratio of length of a drawn object relative to its length in “real space.” A proportional
representation of an object either reduced or enlarged.
Steel rule: a straightedge made of rigid material, divided into specific increments, found both in
metric and imperial units.
Triangles (right angle and isosceles): made of hard, clear plastic, they are used to draw lines at
vertical and set angles: 45°-90°-45°, 30°-60°-90°
T-square: a precision drawing instrument, used as a guide for other drafting equipment. Has a
90° angle where the head and blade attach.

Unidirectional dimensions: show the numerical values in a normal reading position

(horizontally); no rotation of the drawing is required.

Estimated Time
30–60 minutes

Recommended Number of Students

20, based on BC Technology Educators’ Best Practice Guide

2 Youth Explore Trades Skills

Facilities
• Regular classroom space with desks/chairs for all students
• Drafting boards would be ideal; however, smooth, clean, and flat surfaces will also suffice

Tools
• T-square
• Steel rule
• Triangles (right angle and isosceles)
• Eraser shield
• Drafting brush
• Masking tape (drafting dots)
• Drafting board
• Lettering guide
• 2H mechanical pencil
• Architectural scale
• Sample blocks for drawing (should be 2" wide × 4" high x 6" long)

Materials
• Handout for students with instructions (suggestion: develop a handout from the instructions
for the teacher-led activity)
• Title block drawing page (created in the Introduction to Title Blocks activity)
• Practice worksheet for reading architectural scales
• Practice worksheets for dimensioning
Teacher-led Activity
Part 1: Scale an object to fit title block
1. Gather all materials listed above.

2. Using the T-square and masking tape and/or drafting dots, align title-blocked paper to your
drafting board and securely tape down (Figure 1).

Figure 1—Secure paper to board

3. Have students take measurements of the object block using the steel rule. This should
include at a minimum length, width, and height (thickness) of the object (Figure 2). Have
students make notes on a scrap piece of paper for future reference in the activity.

Length

Thickness

Width

Figure 2—Dimensions for length, thickness, and width of a block of wood

4. Using the architectural scale, identify the best scale for this assignment. Explain that the
chosen scale must allow for all object details to appear on the page, while still drawing the
object proportionally.

The architectural scale uses ratios of feet and inches, the most commonly used of which is
the ¼" =1'-0" scale. This expression indicates that each ¼" line on the drawing equals one
foot in length in real life. An architectural scale has 11 different scale options. Measurements
are read from both ends of the scale.

Figure 3 shows five different lengths, read from both sides of the scale.

22' 6"

20' 0"

2' 3"
2' 6"
8' 10"

Figure 3—Reading dimensions using an architect’s ruler (NTS)

If students need further practise with the scale before drawing, have them complete the
student activities on pages 7 and 21.

5. Have the students draw the object using the measurements they took with the steel rule in
Step 3.

Note: Students should draw the object in the centre near the bottom of the drawing space
(Figure 4). They should use appropriate tools and equipment to ensure their drawing is
square and is a detailed representation of the three-dimensional object.
 Figure 4—Object in the centre near the bottom of the drawing space

6. Once students have completed the drawing of their scaled object, have them label the
drawing and locate the title underneath the object.

7. Students can also fill in the title block information (see below). The scale box will be specific
to the scale chosen. Responses will vary. Scale is represented as a ratio in the title block
space. For example, if the drawing was completed using the ½" measurements on an
architectural scale, the ratio would be ½":1".

NAME
ACTIVITY # 4
DATE
SCALE
SCALE AND DIMENSIONING
PAGE 1 OF 1

Part 2: Dimensioning the object

Dimensioning notes:
1. When dimensioning objects, remember three key points:
• Never leave any size, shape, or object in doubt.
• Do not repeat the same dimension. Doing so could lead to confusion in reading the
drawing measurements.
• All dimensions should be located on the drawing in a clear, concise, and easy-to-follow
manner.
2. There are two styles of dimensioning (Figure 5). For this lesson use the unidirectional
dimension style.
• Aligned dimensions show the numerical values aligned with the direction of the dimension
lines. This results in having to turn the drawing to correctly read the dimensions.
• Unidirectional dimensions show the numerical values in a normal reading position
(horizontally); no rotation of the drawing is required.

40
40

100 100

Aligned dimensions Unidirectional dimensions

Figure 5—Dimensioning systems

Student Activity
1. Using the scale-drawn object (and/or drawing) from the previous section, identify the areas
that will require dimensions. Remember not to leave any areas in doubt.

2. Dimension and extension lines should be light in weight, clean, and a consistent thickness.
Extension lines are drawn out from the object and act as a border edge for the dimension
lines.

Figure 6—Extension lines

3. The dimension line should be drawn between the extension lines with arrows indicating
where the measurement falls between the extension lines. A space must be left in the centre
of each dimension line where the numerical value is placed. Be sure to include units of
measurement with each dimension.

Figure 7—Dimension line

4. Complete each area of the drawing to ensure that no area is left out. A good rule of thumb
is to ask yourself the question: “Could I build the object with the dimensions currently on the
drawing?” If not, review the drawing and add the missing dimensions.

Extension Activity
• Further practice drawing, scaling objects, and dimensioning
• Worksheets to practise reading dimensions from drawings

Assessment
• Student participation in discussion/demonstration
• Drawing completed with the following:
– Lines are drawn correctly.
– Corners of border lines are closed (horizontal and vertical lines cross).
– Dimensions meet standard convention styles.
– Dimensions are neat and tidy.
– Scale is appropriate to the size of the object and space available for drawing.
– Lettering is neat, clean, and uppercase.
– Title block is filled out correctly with appropriate information.
Appendix Acknowledgment
© Camosun College. Trades Access Common Core: Competency D-3: Read Drawings and
Specifications (pp. 34-40). The Trades Access Common Core resources are licensed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Unported Licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/
by/4.0/), except where otherwise noted.
 Appendix

Figure 13 shows a simple drawing. Notice that the dimensions are given
between arrows that point to extension lines. By using this method, the
dimensions do not get in the way of the drawing. One extension line can be
used for several dimensions. Notice also that the titles require larger letter
sizes than those used for dimensions and notations. It is important that the
title and sketch number stand out, as shown in Figure 13. When you begin
lettering, you may wish to use very light lettering guide lines to ensure
uniformity in lettering size and alignment.

Dimensions and notations 3 mm

(1⁄s")

1-25/32" 1-25/32"

1-1/16"

1-5/8"
1"
2" 2"

17/32"
3-5/16"

Title and drawing sizes 6 mm (¼")

DN REDUCING DWG
DATE: TEE SLIP ×
SLIP × SLIP
Figure 13 — Standard lettering sizes

Principles of dimensioning
A good sketch of an object is one that you can use as a blueprint to manufacture
the object. Your sketch must show all the necessary dimensions of the part,
locate any features it may have (such as holes and slots), give information on
the material it is to be made from, and if necessary, stipulate the processes to
be used in the manufacture of the object.

10 “Download for free at http://open.bccampus.ca/find-open-textbooks/” Youth Explore Trades Skills

Three principles of dimensioning must be followed:
1. Do not leave any size, shape, or material in doubt.

2. To avoid confusion and the possibility of error, no dimension should be

repeated twice on any sketch or drawing.

3. Dimensions and notations must be placed on the sketch where they can
be clearly and easily read.

Consider Figure 14 and note whether these three dimensioning principles have been followed.

1350
NOTES:
1. All leg and rail joints to be dowelled and glued
2. Leg top joints to be dowelled and glued

600

600
80 80 80

200

500

Figure 14 — Shop table

Although the dimensions and notations are clear and easy to read in Figure
14, the following points should be made:
• Leg and rail sizes have not been shown.

• The thickness of the top has not been given.

• The material has not been given as a notation.

• The 600 dimension has been repeated.

• The type of finish to be used has not been given.

• Note 2 is redundant.
The sketch of the shop table is far from complete, and the table could not be
made without a lot of guesswork. Figure 15, on the other hand, shows a
completed sketch that, along with the necessary notes and dimension
information, can be readily used for construction purposes.

Ø15 4 holes
R15 35 R15

45

75
90 Ø30

240 REF
75
R20

60

20 40
45º
75
110 REF
R15

Figure 15 — Dimensioning

Rules of dimensioning
For most objects, there are three types of dimensions:
• size dimensions

• location dimensions

• notation dimensions

Figure 16 illustrates the difference between size and location dimensions. (S

= size dimension and L = location dimension).
 Ø20 2 holes

L L
S S
Figure 16 — Shim plate

Size dimensions are necessary so that the material size of the object can be
determined. Location dimensions are necessary so that parts, holes, or other
features can be positioned in or on the object. Notation dimensions describe
the part, hole, or other feature with a short note such as the “ø20 2 holes”
notation (see Figure 16). Keep these points in mind:
• Keep all dimension lines at least 10 mm (3/8") clear of object lines wherever possible.

• Try to group related dimensions rather than scattering them.

• Try to keep dimensions off the views themselves.

• Separate one line of dimensions from another line of dimensions or from a

notation by a space of at least 10 mm (3/8").

• Leave a space of approximately 3 mm (1/8") between the object

outline and the beginning of any extension line.

• Keep arrowheads slim and neat.

• Never dimension to a hidden line.

• Draw leader lines at an angle when intersecting object lines to avoid

confusing them with extension lines.

Figure 17 illustrates good placement of dimensions and notations. Note the

placement of extension lines and the use of centre lines to locate features such
as holes. Also, note the shape and size of arrowheads.
 Overall or larger dimensions
should be farther from the
drawing than smaller Arrowhead ratio
dimensions should be approx.
3:1

S
S - Ø hole
L

S
Allow the extension
line to go past the

L S-Rad
dimension
line by
approx. 2 mm

Leave approx. 3 S = size dimensions and

mm between object notations L = location
line and dimensions
extension line
Figure 17 — Extension line usage

Dimensioning systems
Two systems are used for dimensioning drawings. They are the aligned and the
unidirectional systems. Figure 18 shows examples of both systems. As you can
see, the aligned system requires that you turn the drawing on its side, whereas
the unidirectional system may be read from the normal reading position. For
most drawings, the unidirectional system is preferred, as it is easier to read;
however, architectural drawings still use the aligned system.
40

40

100 100

Aligned dimensions Unidirectional dimensions

Figure 18 — Dimensioning systems
Systems of measurement
You may be required to sketch or read drawings constructed with either
metric (SI) or imperial dimensions. You may also encounter drawings that are
dual dimensioned and contain both systems of measurement on the same
drawing.

SI system of measurement
The SI system of measurement has become the official standard in Canada. It
is common practice on shop drawings to express all metric dimensions in
millimetres. Figure 19 shows a detail drawing for a connector arm using
metric measurements. All metric drawings should contain a note specifying
that all dimensions are in millimetres.

Ø30 drill Ø20

R30
90
200

Notes:
1.All dimensions are in mm
2.Materials - 6 × 60 mild steel plate
Figure 19 — Connector arm – metric measurement

Imperial system of measurement

An imperial drawing may use the decimal-inch system, the fractional-inch
system, or feet and inches.
• In the decimal-inch system, very accurate dimensions for items such as
machine parts are expressed as decimals of an inch, such as 0.005". In
words this reads as five one- thousandths of an inch.

• In the fraction-inch system, dimensions for things such as steel and

lumber sizes are expressed as inches and fractions of an inch from as
small as 1/64" (Figure 20). Most drawings that are dimensioned in the
imperial system will use the fraction-inch system.
 1-1/2" Ø drill 3/8" Ø

1.1 /2" R
3-5/8"
7-7/8"

Notes:
1.All dimensions are in inches
2.Materials - 5/16 × 3 mild steel plate
Figure 20 — Connector arm – imperial measurement

In the feet-inch system (Figure 21), the dimensions of large structures such as
machine frames and buildings are expressed in feet and inches, such as 2'-6"
(two feet, six inches).

3'-0" × 6'-8" Solid fir door

3'-4"

10'-3"

2'-10"

4'-0" × 3'-8" DH window

4'-0" 5'-0"
12'-6"
Figure 21 — Fuel storage shed
Use scale rulers to determine actual
dimensions from drawings
Scale drawings are accurate and convenient visual representations made and
used by engineers, architects, and people in the construction trades. The
accuracy is achieved because the drawing is proportional to the real thing. The
convenience comes from the size of the drawing. It is large enough to provide
the desired detail but small enough to be handy.

The flexibility to draw proportionally in different sizes is provided by scales. For

the purposes of representation, we will only be concerned with reduction scales.
Reduction scales make the drawing smaller than the object. The kinds of rulers
we will be discussing for making scaled drawings are the architect’s scale and
the metric scale, both shown in Figure 1.

Architect's scale ruler

Metric scale ruler

Figure 1 — Architect’s and metric rulers

The scale of the drawing is always written on the drawing, unless the drawing is
not drawn to scale. In the latter case, this will be indicated by the “not to
scale” abbreviation (NTS). The scale is the ratio of the size of the drawing to
the object. For drawings smaller than the object, the ratio is that of a smaller
distance to a larger one.

The architect’s scales use ratios of inches to a foot. The most common
architect’s scale used is 1/4 inch to the foot, written on drawings as:
Scale 1/4 = 1'-0"

This means that a line 1/4 long on the drawing represents an object that is one
foot long. At the same scale, a line 11/2" long represents an object 6' long,
because 11/2" contains 6 quarter-inches.

Metric scale ratios use the same units in both ratio terms, resulting in an
expression of how many times smaller than the object the drawing is. For
example, the standard metric scale ratio that corresponds approximately to
1/4" = 1'-0" is written on drawings as "Scale 1:50."
This means that the object is 50 times as large as the drawing, so that 50 mm
on the object is represented by 1 mm on the drawing. For another example,
30 mm on the drawing represents 50 × 30 mm = 1500 mm (or 1.5 metres)
on the object.

Figure 2 lists the scale ratios used for building plans and construction
drawings in both metric and the approximate equivalent architectural scale
ratios.

Imperial
Type of Common Metric Use
Equivalents
Drawing Ratios
and Ratios
1:500 1:480 • To locate the
1" = 40'-
Site plan building, services
0"
1:200 1:192 and reference
1/16" =1'-
points on the site
0"
Sketch plans 1:200 1/16" =1'- 1:192 • To show the
0" overall design of
the building
General locations 1:100 1:96 • To indicate the
1/8" =1'- juxtaposition of
0" the rooms and
locate the
Drawings 1:50 1:48 positions of
piping systems
1/4 =1'- and components
1:20 1/2 =1'- 1:24
• To show the detail
1:10 0" 1:12
Construction details of system
1:5 1" = 1'- 1:4
components and
1:1 0" 1:1
assemblies
3" =1'-
Figure 2 — Preferred scales for building drawings

Architect’s (imperial) scales

Traditional architectural measurements of length are written very precisely in
feet and inches using the appropriate symbols for feet and inches separated
by a dash (e.g., 4'-3 1/2" and 7'-0"). This is the way that all imperial
measurements are written on construction drawings.

Listed below are the scales found on the architect’s triangular scale ruler.
1. 3/32" =1'- 1'-0"
0"
5. ¾" = 1'-0"
2. 3/16" =
1'-0" 6. 3/8" = 1'-0"

3. 1/8" =
1'-0"

4. 1/4" =
7. 1" =1'-
0"

8. 1/2" =
1'-0"

9. 11/2" =
1'-0"

10. 3" =
1'-0"

11. 1" = 1"

(full size—
use the
scale
labelled 16)
Figure 3 shows one face of an architect’s imperial triangular scale ruler. There
are two edges on each face and each edge contains two scales that run in
opposite directions. At each end of an edge, a number or fraction indicates the
distance in inches that represents one foot. The top edge is in eighths of an
inch from left to right, and in quarters of an inch from right to left. Note that
the 1/8" scale from 0 to the right end represents 95 feet, and the 1/4" scale from
0 to the left end represents 47 feet.

Figure 3 — One face of an architect’s ruler (NTS)

At each end, between the zero and the number indicating scale, the length
representing one foot is subdivided into 6, 12, 24, or more parts to indicate
inches and, in some scales, fractions of an inch. For example, each of the six
marks on the 1/8" scale represents two inches, while each mark equals a
quarter of an inch on the 1" reduction scale and one inch on the 1/4" scale.

Now look at the 11/2" scale in Figure 4. The subdivided unit is divided into inches
and fractions of an inch. Reading left from the zero, notice the figures 3, 6, and
9, which represent measurements of 3", 6", and 9". From the zero to the first
long mark represents 1". Between the zero and the one- inch mark there are
four spaces, each of which represent one-quarter of an inch.

Figure 4 — Units in an architect’s scale ruler (NTS)

Piping drawings usually use a 1/8" scale for larger buildings, a 1/4" scale for
smaller buildings and houses, and a 1/2" scale for details. Each drawing will state
in the title block the scale that is used. Sometimes when special details are
given, the scale is placed directly under the detail.

To draw or measure a length to scale, first find the edge of the ruler
containing the scale. One end of the length will rest exactly on one of the
foot marks of the scale, and the other end should rest either on the zero
marker or somewhere on the inch subdivision of the scale. The length can
then be marked and drawn or read off from a drawing.
 Figures 5 and 6 demonstrate this manner of reading dimensions from four of
the ratios on the architect’s scale.

22' 6"

20' 0"

2' 3"
2' 6"

8' 10"
Figure 5 — Reading dimensions using an architect’s ruler (NTS)

11' 10"
7' 6"
5' 0"

1' 3"

3' 10"
Figure 6 — Reading dimensions using an architect’s ruler (NTS)

Architectural units have feet divided into inches, whereas engineering units divi

Metric scales
A triangular metric scale is similar to the architectural scale in that it has six
edges, but it has only one scale ratio per edge. The ratio is marked at the left
end of the scale. For example, the scale of 1:50 means that 1 mm on the
drawing represents 50 mm on the object. This means that the object is 50
times larger than the drawing of it. An object 450 mm long would be
represented by a line 9 mm long (450 mm/50).

Figure 7 shows one of the three sides of a metric scale. The scale labelled
1:50 is read from left to right, from 0 to 15 m. The 1:5 scale (on the bottom)
can also be read from left to right (0 to 600 mm) by turning the scale around.
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Student Activity

1. List the correct measurements for the lettered dimensions in Figure 1.

B
A

E
F G

J
I
H

C
D

Figure 1

a. b.

c. d.

e. f.

g. h.

i. j.

Youth Explore Trades Skills 21

Scale and Dimensioning (Architectural Board Drafting) Design and Drafting – 2D
Drawing

Answer Key

1. a. 9.65 m

b. 6.05 m

c. 0.58 m

d. 1.13 m

e. 2.36 m

f. 2.8m

g. 3.4 m

h. 8.6 m

i. 1.02 m

j. 1.66 m

k. 1.8 m

22 Youth Explore Trades Skills