Ministry of Education

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

On Site Building Construction Management

Road Construction Management

Waterworks Construction Management

Construction Technology B - Level

Course Title: Technical Drafting

Module Title: Technical Drafting
LG Code: CON BTCT 1011 M04 LO9
TTLM Code: CON BTCT 1011 TTLM 0911v1

Prepared by : Noel S. Leonida / Rolando Cabreros

Construction Mgmt Page 1 of 16 CON BTCT 1011
 Instruction Sheet Learning Guide #9

This learning guide is developed to provide you the necessary information regarding the following content
coverage and topics –
• The glass box theory and approach
• Orthographic views from a glass box

This guide will also assist you to attain the learning outcome stated in the cover page. Specifically, upon com-
pletion of this Learning Guide, you will be able to –
• understand the basic principles of glass box approach
• construct an object inside an imaginary glass box
• utilize the imaginary glass box in projecting the six views of the six principal planes
• construct the three basic orthographic views from the glass box
• arrange the three basic views orthographic views according to standard arrangements

Learning Activities
1. Read the specific objectives of this Learning Guide.

2. Read the information written in the “Information Sheet 1”.

3. Accomplish the “Self-check 1” in pages 12.

4. If you earned a satisfactory evaluation proceed to “Operation Sheet” in page 14. However, if your
rating is unsatisfactory, see your teacher for further instructions or go back to Learning Activity
#9.
5. Read the “Operation Sheet”, try to understand the description or procedures discussed and prac-
tice the exercises illustrated. Go to your teacher if you need clarification or you want answers to
your questions or you need assistance in understanding a particular step or procedure.
6. Request you teacher to observe your demonstration of the exercises and give you feedback.

7. Do the “LAP test” in page 15 (if you are ready) and show your output/performance to your teacher.
Your teacher will evaluate your output/performance either satisfactory or unsatisfactory. If unsatis-
factory, your teacher shall advice you on additional work. But if satisfactory you can proceed to
Learning Guide #10 or await instructions from your teacher.

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 Information Sheet-1 The Glass box

The Glass Box Method, used primarily for descriptive geometry problems, requires that the user imagine that
the object, points, lines, planes etc. are enclosed in a transparent “box”. Each view of the object is established
on its corresponding glass box surface by means of perpendicular projectors originating at each point of the
object and extending to the related box surface. The box is hinged so that it can be unfolded on to one flat
plane (the paper).
If planes of projection are placed parallel to the principal faces of the object, they form a “glass box,” as
shown in Fig. 6.3 (a). Notice that the observer is always on the outside looking in, so that the object is seen
through the planes of projection. Since the glass box has six sides, six views of the object are obtained.

Note that the object has three principal dimensions: width, height, and depth. These are fixed terms used for
dimensions in these directions, regardless of the shape of the object. Since it is required to show the views of
a solid or three-dimensional object on a flat sheet of paper, it is necessary to unfold the planes so that they will
all lie in the same plane, Fig. 6.3 (b). All planes except the rear plane are hinged upon the frontal plane, the
rear plane being hinged to the left-side plane Each plane revolves outwardly from the original box position until
it lies in the frontal plane, which remains stationary. The hinge lines of the glass box are known as folding
lines. The positions of these six planes, after they have been revolved, are shown in Fig. 6.4. Carefully iden-
tify each of these planes and corresponding views with its original position in the glass box, and repeat this
mental procedure, if necessary, until the revolutions are thoroughly understood. In Fig. 6.3 (b), observe that
lines extend around the glass box from one view to another upon the planes of projection. These are the pro-
jections of the projectors from points on the object to the views. For example, the projector 1—2 is projected
on the horizontal plane at 7—8 and on the profile plane at 16—17. When the top plane is folded up, lines 9-10
and 7—8 will become vertical and line up with 10—6 and 8—2, respectively. Thus, 9—10 and 10—6 form a
single straight line 9—6, and 7—8 and 8—2 form a single straight line 7—2, as shown in Fig. 6.4. This ex-
plains why the top view is the same width as the front view and why it is placed directly above the front view.
The same relation exists between the front and bottom views. Therefore, the front, top, and bottom views all
line up vertically and are the same width.

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The glass box approach is used for developing orthographic projection drawings. Placing parallel planes to the
principal planes forms a glass box (always observed from outside the box). To show views of a 3D object on a
2D piece of paper, it is necessary to unfold the planes such that they lie in the same plane. All planes except
the rear plane are hinged to the frontal plane, which is hinged to the left-side plane. See figure below.

• The object is placed in a glass box, and the side of the box represent the 6 principle planes.

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Figure G-1. Unfolding the glass box will show the six possible views of the object

Projection type is defined by the “line of sight” from the observer.

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Using the “glass box” method of visualization helps us understand the relationship views have with one
another, i. e. the front view is next to the top and right side views, etc.

Using miter and projection lines, we can easily transfer “space dimensions” between views.

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 Here, we can see that surface C is shown as both as object and
hidden lines depending on the view we are looking at.
Remember: One definition of a “line” is that it is the
t geometry
on the edge of a surface. (Surface C appears
ap in its edge view in
the front and top views.)

Always try to draw views in their most natural position.

This is obviously more difficult to visualize!

Why is the left side view not required?

ANSWER: It doesn’t add any new information!

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Why is the left side view not required?
ANSWER: It has too many hidden lines!

Surfaces will appear as edges at times. Edges may be foreshortened (shorter than normal), or “True Length”
(TL).

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Oblique edge lines are created by oblique surfaces.
These are surfaces that are neither true shape or true size in any principle view.

Here, the arched and planar surfaces are tangent. Arched and planar surfaces which are NOT tan-
gent.

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Producing the orthographic views using the glass box approach are shown below:

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When obtaining an orthographic projection, the object is usually place inside of an imaginary glass box. The
side of the box are a representation of the six principal planes. Views of the object are projected onto the sides
of the box to create the six principal views. In the image to the right only three views are projected for clarity.
The sides of the glass box can also be expressed as the “viewing plane” or “projection plane” in which the
views are projected onto.

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 Self-Check 1 Glass box Theory

Name: _________________________ Date: _______________

Test I: Short Answer Questions

Directions: Answer all the questions listed below. Examples may be necessary to aid some explana-
tions/answers.
1. What is the glass box concept all about? (3points)
2. How does the glass box approach concept aid the draftsman in producing orthographic views? (3 points)
3. What are the 6 principal views involve in the glass box approach? (6 points)
4. Using the glass box approach, sketch the three basic principal views of the object. Refer to page 4 Figure
G-1 of this learning guide. (5 points)

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 Answer Sheet I Score = ___________
Rating: ____________

Name: _________________________ Date: _______________

Test I. Short Answer Questions

1. __________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

2. __________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

3. __________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

4. __________________________________________________________________

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 Operation Sheet The Glass Box

Operation Title:
The Glass Box

Purpose :
This activity will enhance the student skills in constructing the three basic views and the 6 princi-
pals views of an object by the use of the glass box approach.

Conditions or Situations for The Operation :

Given the figure in isometric view, the student is required to construct the 6 principal views of an
object using the glass box approach.

Equipment, Tools and Materials :

HB drawing pencil lead

4H drawing pencil lead

45º x 90º triangle

30º x 60º triangle

Eraser

T-square

Drawing table

Drafting pens

Drawing papers

Procedure:
1. Set up your drawing paper on top of the drawing board.
2. Use the drawing template format given to you by your teacher.
3. Be sure to check the sharpness of your pencil lead. Use standard sharpening for good aes-
thetic result of your work.
4. Using the basic drawing instruments and materials, perform the drawing task in the given fol-
lowing problem/s below.
5. Use appropriate pencil lead in your drafting works.
6. Given the object drawn in isometric, provide the six principal views using the glass approach
technique.
7. You may submit your finish work once you are true but should be within the time specified for
submission.
Precautions :
1. Some of the instruments are pointed objects, observe standard safety of works.
2. Place the drawing instruments in a safe location when in idle.
3. Observe proper posture of body in drafting works to avoid if not minimize body stress.

Quality Criteria :
1. Construction lines should be almost invisible. Do not erase the construction lines/guidelines
as it adds aesthetic looks to the drafting works.
2. Observance of uniformity of line weight and intensity or darkness of pencil lead.
3. Proper spacing and height-to-width ratio of lettering works and dimensioning.
4. Using standard dimensioning according to dimensioning rules.
5. Observe neatness of workmanship.
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 LAP Test Glass Box

Name: _____________________________ Date: ________________

Time started: ________________________ Time finished: ________________

Instructions:

1. You are required to do the exercise below according to what is required of the problem. Use
appropriate drawing instrument and materials. Use the glass box approach technique to draw
the required views. Note all dimensions in mm.

Activity 1 : Given the isometric diagram of an object below, provide the six principal views in
an unfolded glass box (refer to sample drawing on page 4 of this learning guide). (15 points)

Activity 2 : Given the isometric diagram of an object below, provide the six principal views in
an unfolded glass box (refer to sample drawing on page 4 of this learning guide). (15 points)

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2. Request from your teacher the following materials.

HB drawing pencil lead

4H drawing pencil lead

45º x 90º triangle

30º x 60º triangle

Eraser

T-square

Drafting pens

Drawing table

Drawing papers
3. You are given 2 hours to accomplish the above activity.
4. Request your teacher for evaluation and feedback.

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