Lines plays very important role in engineering graphics. Each type of line has its own meaning and value in engineering drawing.
Majorly, there are total 8 types of lines used in engineering drawing:
- Continuous thick
- Continuous thin
- Dashed medium thick
- Chain thin
- Continuous Thin Freehand Line
- Continuous thin zig-zags
Continuous thick
This line type is used for visible outlines, general details, existing buildings and landscaping in site plans.
Continuous thin
The continuous thin line is the most frequently used line type on Engineering Drawings. These lines are solid and has no break in them. Here is the list of cases where the continuous thin line will be used:- Imaginary lines of intersection
- Dimension lines
- Projection lines
- Hatching
- Short centre lines
- Bending
Dashed medium thick
The Dashed Line is used to indicate hidden details like hidden outlines and hidden edges. The dashed line may be either thick or thin, but only one type (thick or thin) should be used on a single drawing or set of drawings.
Chain thin
The Thin Chain Line is used to indicate center lines, the lines of symmetry and also trajectories. Often this line is used as a point of reference on engineering drawings.
Continuous Thin Freehand Line
Freehand lines shows breaks or cuts in parts or assemblies. The edge of the partial or interrupted view is indicated with a freehand line.
Continuous thin zig-zags
The Continuous Thin Zigzag Line shows a break line. If a part needs to be shortened with a break for ease of visibility, a break can be made using this line. *Remember, any dimensions spanning over the break needs to have a dimension break indicated on the dimension line also.