Chapter 6

Architectural Lines and Lettering

Introduction• Drafting

– Universal graphic language – Uses lines, symbols, dimensions, and notes to

describe a structure to be built– Properly drawn lines are dark, crisp, sharp,

and of a uniform thickness

Line Characteristics• Each line conveys a particular meaning

– Thicker lines are more dominant and intended to be seen

– Thinner lines are subordinate but just as important

– Lighter lines can be used as guides for drawing other features or for lettering properly

Types of Lines• Object lines (i.e., Continuous lines)

– Show outline of objects in plan or elevations

Types of Lines (cont’d.)• Dashed lines (i.e., hidden lines)

– Show features not visible in the view or plan

Types of Lines (cont’d.)• Extension lines

– Show extent of dimension• Dimension lines

– Show dimension length – Terminate at related extension lines with slashes, arrowheads, or

dots

Types of Lines (cont’d.)• Leader lines

– Thin, dark, and crisp– Used to connect

notes to related features

– Drawn freehand or with irregular curve

Types of Lines (cont’d.)• Break lines

– Used to remove a portion of an object, show a partial view, shorten a long object

– Also used to terminate features when extent is clearly defined– May be long or short

Line Sizes in CAD• Color Dependent Plotting

– White-Walls are thick– Cyan-Dimensions are thin

• Thick (0.025”)– Floor plan wall outlines– Elevation Outline/ Accent– Section Accent– Foundation outline

• Thin (0.012”)– Floor plan symbols– Elevation Features– Section Features in foreground

Lettering• Basic terminology:

– Composition• Lettering spacing, layout, and appearance

– Justify• To align text

– Lettering• Traditional handmade letters and numbers

– Text• Lettering using CAD

Lettering (cont’d.)• Basic terminology (cont’d.):

– Annotation • Text, notes, dimensions, and text symbols

– Font• Assortment of one size and style of lettering or text

– Text style• Set of text characters (e.g., font, height, width)

Lettering (cont’d.)• Single-stroke lettering

– Single straight or curved line elements

• Makes text easy and clear to read

Lettering (cont’d.)• Slanted lettering

– Slant to the right with an angle of 68° from horizontal

• Uppercase slanted lettering is used for water feature names in mapping

Lettering (cont’d.)• Lettering height

– Minimum should be 1/8" (3 mm)• Some companies use 5/32" (4 mm)

– All dimension numerals, notes, and other lettered information should be the same

• Except titles, drawing numbers, and captions

– Height of fraction numbers should be the same as other lettering associated with the fraction

Lettering (cont’d.)• Rules for lettering and text numeral

applications:– Foot units are followed by foot symbol ('), and

inch units are followed by inch symbol (″)– Inches and fractions are used for values less

than 12 inches (e.g., 6″)

What are Advantages of CAD Lettering• Text is consistently placed in shape and size

• Text is easily modified

• Insertion point indicates where the text starts

• Text can be easily moved, copied, etc.

– Architectural Fonts• SylusBT• CityBlueprint• Arch• Archstyle• Archquick

Lines and Lettering Assignment• Sketch the kitchen example in figure 5.1 using most of the line

types. Sketch the remaining line types below and label with proper architectural lettering what each line type is and use is. Use construction lines to keep lettering lined up.