PROJECTIONS OF SOLIDS

A solid has three dimensions, viz. length, breadth and thickness. To represent a solid on a flat surface
having only length and breadth, at least two orthographic views are necessary. Sometimes, additional
views projected on auxiliary planes become necessary to make the description of a solid complete.

Types of solids.

Solids may be divided into two main groups: (1) Polyhedra (2) Solids of revolution.

2. Projections of solids in simple positions. (a) Axis perpendicular to the H.P. (b) Axis perpendicular to
the V.P. (c) Axis parallel to both the H.P. and the V.P.

3. Projections of solids with axes inclined to one of the reference planes and parallel to the other. (a)
Axis inclined to the V.P. and parallel to the H.P. (b) Axis inclined to the H.P. and parallel to the V.P.

4. Projections of solids with axes inclined to both the H.P. and the V.P. 5. Projections of spheres.

A polyhedron is defined as a solid bounded by planes called faces. When all faces are equal and regular,
the polyhedron is said to be regular. There are seven regular polyhedra which may be defined as stated
below: (i) Tetrahedron 3-·1): It has four equal faces, each an equilateral triangle. (ii) Cube or hexahedron
·1 3-2): It has six faces, all equal squares.
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Prism: This is a polyhedron having two equal and similar faces called its ends or bases, parallel to each
other and joined by other faces which are parallelograms. The imaginary line joining the centres of the
bases is called the axis. A right and regular prism (fig. 13-6) has its axis perpendicular to the bases. All its
faces are equal rectangles.

Pyramid: This is a polyhedron having a plane figure as a base and a number of triangular faces meeting
at a point called the vertex or apex. The imaginary line joining the apex with the centre of the base is its
axis. A right and regular pyramid (fig. 13-7) has its axis perpendicular to the base which is a regular plane
figure. Its faces are all equal isosceles triangles.

Oblique prisms and pyramids have their axes inclined to their bases. Prisms and pyramids are named
according to the shape of their bases, as triangular, square, pentagonal, hexagonal etc.

Solids of revolution:

(i) Cylinder (fig. 13-8): A right circular cylinder is a solid generated by the revolution of a rectangle about
one of its sides which remains fixed. It has two equal circular bases. The line joining the centres of the
bases is the axis. It is perpendicular to the bases.

(ii) Cone (fig. 13-9): A right circular cone is a solid generated by the revolution of a right-angled triangle
about one of its perpendicular sides which is fixed. It has one circular base. Its axis joins the apex with
the centre of the base to which it is perpendicular. Straight lines drawn from the apex to the
circumference of the base-circle are all equal and are called generators of the cone. The length of the
generator is the slant height of the cone.
PROJECTIONS OF SOLIDS

iii)Sphere (fig. 'l 3-10): A sphere is a solid generated by the revolution of a semi-circle about its diameter
as the axis. The mid-point of the diameter is the centre of the sphere. All points on the surface of the
sphere are equidistant from its centre. Oblique cylinders and cones have their axes inclined to their
bases.

iV)Frustum: When a pyramid or a cone is cut by a plane parallel to its base, thus removing the top
portion, the remaining portion is called its frustum (fig. 13-11).

v)Truncated: When a solid is cut by a plane inclined to the base it is said to be truncated. In this book
mostly right and regular solids are dealt with. Hence, when a solid is named without any qualification, it
should be understood as being right and regular.
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A solid in simple position may have its axis perpendicular to one reference plane or parallel to both.
When the axis is perpendicular to one reference plane, it is parallel to the other. Also, when the axis of a
solid is perpendicular to a plane, its base will be parallel to that plane. We have already seen that when
a plane is parallel to a reference plane, its projection on that plane shows its true shape and size.

Therefore, the projection of a solid on the plane to which its axis is perpendicular, will show the true
shape and size of its base. Hence, when the axis is perpendicular to the ground, i.e. to the H.P., the top
view should be drawn first and the front view projected from it. When the axis is perpendicular to the
V.P., beginning should be made with the front view.

The top view should then be projected from it. When the axis is parallel to both the H.P. and the V.P.,
neither the top view nor the front view will show the actual shape of the base. In this case, the
projection of the solid on an auxiliary plane perpendicular to both the planes, viz. the side view must be
drawn first. The front view and the top view are then projected from the side view. The projections in
such cases may also be drawn in two stages.

Axis perpendicular to the H.P.:

Draw the projections of a pentagonal pyramid, base 30 mm edge and axis 50 mm long, having its base
on the H.P. and an edge of the base parallel to the V.P. Also draw its side view.
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Draw the projections of (i) a cylinder, base 40 mm diameter and axis 50 mm Jong, and (ii) a cone, base
40 mm diameter and axis 50 mm long, resting on the H.P. on their respective bases.

Draw a circle of 40 mm diameter in the top view and project the front view which will be a rectangle [fig.
13-14(ii)]. (ii) Draw the top view [fig. 13-14(iii)]. Through the centre o, project the apex o', 50 mm above
xy. Complete the triangle in the front view as shown.

EXERCISE PROBLEMS FOR PRACTICE

Draw the projections of the following solids, situated in their respective positions, taking a side of the
base 40 mm long or the diameter of the base 50 mm long and the axis 65 mm long.

1. A hexagonal pyramid, base on the H.P. and a side of the base parallel to and 25 mm in front of the
V.P.

2. A square prism, base on the H.P., a side of the base inclined at 30° to the V.P. and the axis 50 mm in
front of the V.P.

3. A triangular pyramid, base on the H.P. and an edge of the base inclined at 45° to the V.P.; the apex 40
mm in front of the V.P.

4. A cylinder, axis perpendicular to the V.P. and 40 mm above the H.P., one end 20 mm in front of the
V.P.

5. A pentagonal prism, a rectangular face parallel to and 10 mm above the H.P., axis perpendicular to
the V.P. and one base in the V.P.

6. A square pyramid, all edges of the base equally inclined to the H.P. and the axis parallel to and 50 mm
away from both the H.P. and the V.P.
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Draw the Projections of a pentagonal prism, base 25 mm side and axis 50 rnm long resting on one of its
rectangular faces on the 1-f.P.1 with the axis inclined at 45c to the V.P.

Draw the pentagon in the front view with one side in xy and project the top view [fig. 13-21(i)J. The
shape and size of the figure in the top view will not change, so long as the prism has its face on the H.P.
The respective distances of all the corners in the front view from xy will also remain constant.