Engineering Graphics Essentials 5th Edition VOCAB

Design

Strategic process of solving a problem by developing, analyzing, and refining plans for an object or system that meets specified requirements and constraints

Engineering drawing

Formal technical drawing that completely and unambiguously defines the geometry, dimensions, tolerances, materials, and other requirements for a part or assembly.

Sketch

Quick freehand drawing used to capture or communicate an idea; not intended for direct manufacturing

Technical drawing / drafting

Process of creating standardized engineering drawings, historically by hand and now mostly with CAD

Computer‑aided design/drawing (CAD)

Software used to create 2D drawings and 3D models, often generating drawings directly from solid models

Solid model

3D CAD representation of an object including its volume and surfaces, from which views and drawings can be created

Blueprint / print

Traditional term for engineering drawing copies (originally blueprints), still used to refer to printed drawings

Standard (ASME / ISO)

Agreed set of rules (e.g., ASME Y14.5, ISO standards) that define drawing practices, symbols, projections, and dimensioning to ensure clear communication

Drawing sheet format

Standard arrangement of drawing area, title block, revision block, notes, zones, and other blocks on a sheet

Sheet size

Standard physical size of the drawing (A, B, C, D, E or A0–A4, etc.) defined by ASME Y14.1/Y14.1M.

Border

Thick rectangular outline defining the usable drawing area and separating it from margins and zone labels.

Zone

Labeled region on the sheet identified by letters and numbers (like spreadsheet cells) to locate features or notes, e.g., B6

Drawing area

Central region inside the border and outside the blocks where views and dimensions are placed.

Scale

Ratio of printed drawing size to actual part size (e.g., 1:1, 1:2, 2:1); drawings are modeled full scale in CAD but printed at a chosen scale

Title block

Block, usually in the lower right corner, containing key info such as company, part name, drawing number, scale, size, sheet number, and approvals

Drawing number

Unique identifier for a drawing used for tracking, filing, and configuration control.

Sheet number / total sheets

Identifiers showing which sheet this is and how many sheets are in the set (e.g., “Sheet 1 of 3”).

Revision identifier

Letter or number (e.g., Rev A, Rev B) indicating the current revision of the drawing.

Revision history block

Block that records each drawing change with zone, revision code, description, date (YYYY‑MM‑DD), and approver initials.

Tolerance and projection block

Block near the title block that states general dimensional tolerances and the projection method used

Angle‑of‑projection symbol

Symbol in the projection block indicating first‑angle or third‑angle projection convention.

General dimension/tolerance note

Standard note giving default tolerances for unspecified dimensions (e.g., .X, .XX, .XXX, and angular tolerances)

Orthographic projection

2D view(s) that represent a 3D object using perpendicular projectors; typically front, top, and right‑side views

Principal views

Standard orthographic views (front, top, right, left, bottom, rear) sufficient to describe the shape of a part

Pictorial view

Pseudo‑3D view (isometric, oblique, etc.) that helps visualize the object’s form.

Isometric pictorial

3D pictorial where the three main axes are 120° apart, and linear features parallel to these axes are drawn to equal scale

Isometric axes

Three axes used for isometric sketches: one vertical and two at 30° from horizontal.

Cabinet oblique pictorial

Oblique drawing where width and height are drawn true size and depth is drawn at an angle (often 45°) and half‑scale, giving a more realistic look

Oblique axes

Axes for oblique pictorial: horizontal (width), vertical (height), and an angled axis (depth).

Isometric box (bounding box)

Rectangular prism drawn in isometric that encloses the object and guides line placement.

Isometric circle / ellipse

Circle in 3D that appears as an ellipse in isometric; drawn by inscribing an ellipse in a rhombus aligned with the isometric axes

Isometric ellipse template

Drafting template used to draw accurate ellipses that represent circles in isometric views.

Isometric scaling (80% rule)

Practice of scaling isometric drawings to ~80% of full size to reduce visual distortion.

Cabinet oblique depth scaling

Half‑scale depth used in cabinet oblique pictorials so features along the receding axis are drawn at 50% length

Dimension

Numeric value and associated graphics indicating size, location, and sometimes finish requirements of features

Tolerance

Permitted variation in a dimension; specified explicitly or via general tolerancing notes.

Notes

Text on the drawing that clarifies requirements, specifies processes, or adds information not conveniently shown by dimensions alone

Finish requirement

Specification of surface treatment or texture (e.g., “finish all over,” coatings) indicated in title block, notes, or symbols.

Projection method

Standard (first‑angle or third‑angle) used to lay out views; affects where views are placed relative to each other

Design communication

Using sketches, drawings, models, and documents to convey a design from engineer to manufacturer and other stakeholders

CAD‑generated drawing

2D engineering drawing created automatically or semi‑automatically from a 3D CAD model

Manufacturing information

All data (dimensions, tolerances, materials, finishes, notes) needed to produce and inspect a part