LINES,LETTERING

AND
DIMENSIONING
FOR ENGINEERING DRAWING LAB
LINES: [IS 10717{PART20}:2001 AND
SP46:2003]
A line may be straight, curved, continuous,
segmented, thin or thick depending upon the
requirements. Hence, each line in a drawing is
used in a specific sense. So it must adhere to
some standard convention. The basic types of
lines, mentioned by BIS [SP 46:2003] are shown
below.
 Line type Represe width Application
ntation
1.1 Continuous Thin(0.13mm) A. Construction lines
Narrow B. Projection Lines
C. Dimension Lines
D. Extension Lines
E. Leader Lines
F. Section(Hatching)li
nes
G. Outline of revolved
section
H. Imaginary lines of
intersection
1.2 Continuous Medium(0.25mm) A. Visible outline of
wide sectioned surface
B. Reference line in
projection
 THICK(0.5mm) A. Visible Outline
B. Lines of
special
Continuous Extra- importance
WIDE

Dashed Narrow THIN Hidden line or

edges

Dashed wide medium Hidden line or

edges
Long Dashed THIN A. Centrelines
Dotted Narrow B. Lines of symmetry
(chain Narrow) C. Cutting planes
Long Dashed Medium Cutting planes(at
Dotted Wide ends & change of
(chain wide) direction)

Long Dashed double THIN

Dotted narrow A. Alternative and
(Phantom Narrow) extreme positions
of movable parts.
B. Outline of
adjacent parts
Continuous freehand THIN Short break line
Narrow

Continuous Zig-zag THIN Long break line

NARROW
Line width
 Line width means line thickness. The range of line width is 0.13,
0.18, 0.25, 0.35, 0.5, 0.7 and 1mm.

LINE GROUP LINE WIDTHS (IN MM)

THIN MEDIUM THICK

0.25 0.13 0.25 0.5

0.35 0.18 0.35 0.7

0.5 0.25 0.5 1

0.7 0.35 0.7 1.4

1 0.5 1 2
Note:
(1) Ratio of successive line width is 1:√2
Example: 0.13x √2=0.18
0.18x √2=0.25 and so on.
(2) The line group 0.25 is the most preferred line group for
pencil drawing.
(3) Three grades of line viz. narrow, wide and extra wide
(also referred as thin medium and thick respectively)are in
use. Line group and its grades are given in the above table.
(4) For any line group, line width are in the ratio 1:2:4
Lettering [IS9609:2001]
 Theword letter is used for alphabets, numerals,
symbols, punctuation mark etc.
 Itis defined as writing of title, subtitles,
dimensions etc. on drawing.
 The main features of lettering are uniformity,
legibility and rapidity of execution
Note: lettering should be done freehand using HB
grade pencil (conical end)
Two types of lettering are commonly used as
discussed below
1.Type A
(i) Vertical
(ii) Sloped

2.Type B
(iii) Vertical
(iv) Sloped
(a)Lettering type A:
Height of the capital letter divided into 14 equal parts.
(i) Vertical

(ii) Sloped at 75 degree to the horizontal

Lettering type B:
Height of the capital letter is divided into 10 equal parts.
(i) Vertical

(ii) Sloped at 75 degree to the horizontal

Note:
1. Type B is preferred over type A because of the
division of height.
2. Vertical letters are preferred over slopped
letters because of easy execution.
3. The line width of type A lettering is always less
than that of type B lettering
Height and width of letters
AS per BIS (SP 46:2003) recommended height of
letters/numerals is given below.
1.Main title of drawing: 5mm or 7mm or 10mm
2. Sub-titles : 3.5mm or 5mm
3. Dimension, numerals, notes, etc. : 2.5mm or 3.5mm or
5mm
Note: The line width recommended for letter height 5mm,
7mm and 10mm is 0.35mm, 0.5mm and 0.7mm
respectively
Style of lettering
The most popular type of style of lettering is
called gothic style of lettering.
A gothic lettering style has the letters which has
uniform thickness throughout.
In general, single stroke letters (i.e. letters having
thickness should be uniform as if is obtained in
one stroke of the pencil) are the most common
and preferred lettering style.
Single stroke vertical gothic
lettering
Let height of the letter is taken to be 7mm and for this height of line,
width is taken to be 0.5mm. The single vertical gothic lettering can be
shown as follows:
Single stroke inclined gothic
lettering
Let height of the letter is taken to be 7mm and for this height of
line ,width is taken to be 0.5mm. The single stroke inclined gothic
lettering can be shown as fallows.
Dimensioning[IS 11669:1986]

BIS (Board of Indian Standard SP 46 : 2003)

defines dimension as a numerical value expressed
in appropriate units of measurement and
indicated graphically on technical drawing with
lines, symbols and notes.
Different Lines in Dimensioning

Dimension line: it is continuous narrow line drawn parallel to edge

or surface whose measurement is to be shown
Extension line/Projection line:
It is continuous narrow line drawn perpendicular to the outline to be
dimensioned and without leaving a gap from the outline or a visible
gap of 1.5mm from the outline.

Note here, the dimension line is at a distance of 6-8mm from outline

and it extends about 3mm beyond dimension line.
Outline: It forms the shape of the object in a projected view.
Dimension line termination: The dimension lines will have
termination in the form of arrowheads or oblique strokes or origin
identification.
(a) Arrowhead: the arrowhead may be open closed and filled as
shown below
Note: 1. in general closed and filled arrowhead is mostly used.
2. The size of an arrowhead should be proportionate to the length of
the dimension line.
(i) If closed and filled.

Here, length of arrowhead is 3 times the width/depth of arrowbase.

(ii) If open(or) closed
Oblique stroke: it is used when space is too small for an arrow head.

Note: angle subtended between oblique stroke and projection line is

450 Example:
Leader lines/Pointer lines:
A leader line is a line referring to a feature (object, outline,
dimension). Leader line should be inclined to the horizontal at an
angle ≥ 300
(a) With a dot, if they end within outline of an object.

(b) With an arrowhead, if they end outside of the object.

(c) Without a dot or arrow head, if they end on dimension line

Methods of dimensioning
There are two methods of dimensioning of an object. These are
aligned method and unidirectional method.
Method I: Aligned Method
 Dimensions should be placed at the middle and clear of the
dimension line without interrupting it so that it is perpendicular to
the dimension lines.
 Dimensions may be written so that they can be read from the
bottom(for horizontal and inclined dimension) or right side of the
drawing (for vertical dimension)
 Horizontal dimensional lines are not broken to place the
dimension.
Method II : Unidirectional Method

 Non horizontal dimension line are interrupted, in the

middle of the dimension and dimensions are always
placed vertically.
 Dimensions should be indicated so that they can be read
from the bottom of the drawing only.
 Horizontal dimensional lines are broken to place the
dimension.
Note-Aligned system of dimensioning is generally used.
Arrangement of dimensions
For dimensioning an object in series following methods can be adopted
1. Chain (Continuous) Dimensioning:
Successive dimensions are arranged in a straight line.
II. Parallel (Progressive) Dimensioning
Placement of a number of single dimension lines parallel to one
another.
Smaller dimension should always be placed nearer the view.
III. Combined Dimensioning
When both chain dimensioning and parallel dimensioning are used in
single drawing.
IV. Coordinate Dimensioning
Dimensioning by using coordinate table make the drawing easier to
read, especially when the part have too many dimensions.
Dimensioning of various objects:
Circular Holes:
A hole is usually dimensioned by giving the diameter instead of radius.
When more than one hole of the same size forms a pattern, it is not
necessary to dimension each one.
Dimensioning of arcs:
An arc is usually dimensioned by giving its radius. The dimension
indicating radius should be preceded by symbol R and the position of
centre of arc is denoted by a cross (+).

.
Dimensioning of cylinder:
Cylindrical features should be dimensioned by giving their diameter.
They should be dimensioned in the view in which they appear as
rectangles.
Dimensioning spheres:
Spherical features may be dimensioned by giving either the radius or
diameter of a sphere.
Symbol SR or SǾ must precede the dimension for radius or diameter
respectively.
Dimensioning of squares:
Symbol SQ or □ must precede the dimension of side of the square
Dimensioning of conical object:
The dimensioning of conical object is indicated with conical taper as
shown below

Conical taper = (D-d)/L

D= Diameter of bigger base, d= diameter of smaller base
L= length of the axis of conical object
Conical Taper= (40-25)/75
= 15/75= 1/5= 0.2:1

In terms of taper angle = tan-1(1/5)=110

Dimensioning of Angles
The normal convention for dimensioning of angles are illustrated in
figure below.
The angle (in degrees) can be written outside or inside the object as
per convenience and availability of the space
General rules of dimensioning
 Dimensions should be placed in the middle and clear of the
dimension line. If dimensions can not be placed on the dimension
line due to lack of space, then it is placed on the extended portion
of the dimension line preferably on the right hand side as shown
 Dimensions should be placed outside the views. In case if it not
possible then it can be placed inside the view but the condition is that
the view must be clearer and easily readable as shown
 All the dimensions must follow either aligned system or unidirectional
system. Mixing of both is not allowed.
The unit of dimensions must be same (preferably in mm) and need not
be written along with it in the views
 Intersection of dimension line or crossing any other lines of the
object should be avoided.
Q-1 The recommended method of dimensioning a sphere with 80mm
diameter is
(a) 80ǾS
(b) Ǿ80S
(c) S80Ǿ
(d) SǾ80

Q-2 The dimension value of an arc should be

(e) R
(f) CR
(g) SR
(h) RAD
Q-3 The inclined letters should have inclination of
(a) 750 towards right
(b) 750 towards left
(c) 600 towards right
(d) 600 towards left

Q-4 the symbol ‘SǾ’ indicates

(e) Sectional diameter
(f) Spherical diameter
(g) Squared diameter
(h) Straight diameter
Q-5 IS 10714: 2001 refers to
(a) Scales
(b) Lines
(c) Lettering
(d) Projection methods

Q-6 The two recommended system of placing the dimensions are

(e) Unidirectional and aligned systems
(f) Upright and inclined system
(g) Linear and oblique system
(h) Linear and inclined system
Q-7 The length-to-height ratio of closed filled arrow head is
(a) 1:3
(b) 3:1
(c) 1:2
(d) 2:1

Q-8 The preferred line width for letter group of 7mm is

(e) 1mm
(f) 0.7mm
(g) 0.5mm
(h) 0.25mm
Q-9 Centreline is used to indicate
(a) Axis of cylinder
(b) Centreline of the hole
(c) Axis of symmetry
(d) All of the above
Scales
 Object around humans vary greatly in size. It is not
always possible or convenient to draw drawing of an
object to its actual size.
 For example, drawing of very small objects like gears of
wrist watch, huge building and ships etc. is very difficult
to draw on a drawing sheet.
 Hence these objects need to be scaled appropriately in
the drawing sheet.
 Depending upon the various objects existing, scales has
been broadly classified into two categories as shown
below
 SCALES
ACCORDING TO ITS SIZE ACCORDING TO ITS TYPES

Full size scale Plain scale

Reducing size scale Diagonal scales

Enlarging scale Vernier scale

Size of the scale
(i) Full size scale : It shows the actual dimension of an object
on a drawing.
Designation of full size scale : scale 1:1
e.g. , Scissor, phone body, pen etc.
(ii) Reduction scale(or reducing scale): It shows the
reduced dimension of an object on a drawing.
Designation of reducing scale: scale 1:Y (Y>1)
e.g., Building, ships etc.
(iii) Enlargement scale (on enlarging scale) : It shows the
enlarged dimension of an object on a drawing.
Designation of enlarging scale: Scale X:1(X>1)
e.g., watch gears, screws etc.
Note:
1. Scale 1:Y (Y>1) means Y unit length of the
object is represented by 1 unit length on the
drawing.
2. Scale X: 1 (X>1) means 1 unit length of the
object is represented by X units on the drawing.
Representative Fraction (R.F.)
Ratio of the drawing size of an object to its actual size is called as
representative fraction.
Mathematically,
UNITS OF LENGTH AND THEIR CONVERSION

UNITS
LINEAR MEASURMENT SQ F.P.S
MEASURMENT
10mm = 1 cm 100mm2 25mm≈ inch
= 1 cm2
10cm= 1 dm 100 cm2 12 inch= 1 foot
= 1 dm2
10 dm = 1 m 100 dm2 3 feet = 1 yard
= 1m2
10 m = 1 deca m 100m2
= 1 ARE 220 yard = 1 furlong
10 deca m = 1 H.m 100 ARE = 1 8 furlong= 1 mile
hectare
10 H.m = 1 k.m 100 hectare = 1 1 mile= 1.6023 km
k.m2
Q-1If a 5cm long line in
the drawing represent
3km length of a road in
engineering scale. What
is its R.F?
R.F = Length of drawing/ Actual length
of object
= X/Y (same units)
Here X= 5cm= 50mm and Y= 3km=
3x1000x1000
R.F. = 50/(3x1000x1000)
R.F = 1/60000
Q-An area of 36 square
km is 144 square cm on a
map. What is the R.F.?
Soln.

R.F.=󠅿√(area of drawing/actual area)

= √(X2/Y2) (same unit)
Here X= 144cm and Y=36 x106 x 104 cm
R.F = √(144/36 x106 x 104 )
=0.00002
= 1/50000
Find the length of scale for
RF= 1/50 which is long
enough to measure 5 meter.
R.F = length of drawing/ actual length of object

Length of drawing= RF X actual length of object

It can also written as
LOS ( length of scale )= RF x Maximum distance
to be represented
LOS= (1/50)x 5x100 cm
= 10 cm
Plain scale
Plain scale is a scale which shows a relation between two
consecutive units or a units and its subdivision
Exp:
(a) Meter and decimetre
(b) KM and Hm
(c) Feet and inches etc.
 PLAIN SCALES
Relation between two consecutive unit Relation between a unit and its
subdivision
Construct a scale of R.F ¼ to show
cm and long enough to measure upto
5 decimetre, show the distance 3
decimetre and 7 centimetre on the
scale.
Given: R.F= ¼
Lmax = 5 dm
Units : cm and dm (10cm = 1dm)
Length of scale=?
Length of scale= R.F x Lmax (mm)
= ¼ x 5 x 100 mm
(10mm = 1cm, 10cm = 1 dm)
=125 mm = 12.5 cm
Construct a scale of 1/60 to read
meter and decimetre and long
enough to measure upto 6meter.
Measure on it a distance of 5.4
meter.
Draw a plain scale to show meter
and decimetre when one meter is
represented by 2.5 cm on the
scale. The scale should be enough
to measure 6m. Mark 3m, 4dm
and 5m, 2dm
Diagonal Scale
A diagonal scale is used to represent three units i.e. main
unit, its sub unit and subdivision of sub unit.
Example :
(a) Mt, dm and cm
(b) Km, hm and dam

Therefore a diagonal scale is used to indicate the distance

in a unit and its immediate two subdivision.
Note: A diagonal scale is constructed on the principle of
similarity of triangles.