A question for those that create, use or work from orthographic drawings...

[Tangledfeet]

Third angle projection or first angle projection..?

Having a discussion with colleagues after school today; the boss's daughter in in first year at university, studying mechanical engineering, and she's being obliged to use first angle projection - in Scotland we teach third angle in Graphic Communication at all levels.

I'd be interested to know which you use, what industry - and perhaps nationality of company; I know that many American companies use first, particularly those in the oil industry.

Just curious! Thanks.

 

[Paul.]

I always use third angle, also known as English projection, first angle usually seen mainly on American drawings, I'll occasionally use a first angle view to highlight a detail if it makes it easier, but will label it "view on A" or similar to alert the user of the different viewpoint. in all my time in engineering, uk drawings have all been third angle.

 

[bigegg]

I was taught 3rd angle at school in Yorkshire, late 80s

 

[bricol]

Used both, here and in the USA. Strangely, completely opposite to the postings above - first angle in the UK, 3rd angle in every US company I worked in, from West to East Coast, automotive, aerospace and general plant. I prefer first angle if pushed for an opinion, but can easily swop from one to the other, between drawings if needed.

Currently working with an American guy who initially sent his third angle drawings over on first angle frames . . . it's corrected that so it does state third angle - which is confusing most of our UK suppliers because they are so used to first angle. This for high speed metal forming machinery.

Of course, with modern CAD systems, a click of a mouse and the drawing set-up is re-configured, and if you have the views already, a quick drag of them around the screen and you're done. So I hope she's being taught how to "see" and construct them. So many have no idea as the CAD system does it for them.

My very first engineering job on SE London - I managed to put off a supplier by asking what they were used to, and telling them the reason they were confused was because the projection wasn't what they were used to . . .took them two days to call back to call "bull***t" ;-)

 

[RonA]

Took technical drawing GCE at school & later 6 months in company drawing school, always third angle projection. Later trained on autocad again third angle projection.
Lettering was BS308 hand drawn.
RonA

 

[Eric the chicken]

Fifty years with MoD, Navy and then RAF always 3rd angle.

 

[Endeleus]

Third Angle projection when I did O Grade Technical Drawing towards the tail end of the last century

 

[AndersK]

First angle, as most of Europe.
However, I think third angle is more natural.
Non engineering people seems to grasp third angle faster.

 

[Revs1972]

Third angle all the way. Just can't understand the logic with First Angle.
I know a fabricator who was caught out making box trusses to drawings that were edited by a Philippine company. They used first angle for some reason instead of following instructions to do it third angle.

 

[scottmk1]

I was taught both first and third angle projection in Graphic Communication class in high school, in Scotland too.

 

[Tangledfeet]

I was taught both first and third angle projection in Graphic Communication class in high school, in Scotland too.

That's interesting to know! When was this, what qualification was it?

 

[scottmk1]

It was standard grade Graphic Communication, between 96 & 98

 

[AndersK]

Doesn't all engineering schools teach both projection methods? You need to have an understanding of both systems to work with global companies.

 

[Tangledfeet]

Doesn't all engineering schools teach both projection methods? You need to have an understanding of both systems to work with global companies.

No, I've just checked the course specification; third angle only, but then I teach at secondary school level, not a specialist college or university course.

It was standard grade Graphic Communication, between 96 & 98

Thanks - that's from before my time as a teacher. There's actually very little drawing in the courses now, it's all about desktop publishing, computer modelling, etc. No drawing board in the exam hall. Many parents (especially Mums) say they really enjoyed the 'techie drawing' at school!

 

[Revs1972]

No, I've just checked the course specification; third angle only, but then I teach at secondary school level, not a specialist college or university course.



Thanks - that's from before my time as a teacher. There's actually very little drawing in the courses now, it's all about desktop publishing, computer modelling, etc. No drawing board in the exam hall. Many parents (especially Mums) say they really enjoyed the 'techie drawing' at school!

Got Grade A in Graphic communication back in '88. Still at it 30 years later

 

[Hitch]

I prefer to work from 3rd angle, so on the rare occasion I draw something, I draw it in 3rd.
99.9% of drawings that come to me from other firms are 3rd angle too.
Its so much eaiser, the drawing almost wraps around the part, so you can check what youre making easier, makes fabricating structural stuff easy.

Had a bit of a debate about this with the 'draughtsman' at work, he'd to a mixture, depending on how he felt. You never knew if it was just the method of drawing, or if he'd just randomly scattered views about.

 

[bigegg]

I should point out that I was introduced to 1st angle in o level technical drawing.
I *don't think* the exam covered it? but the week in/week out stuff was always 3rd angle.

 

[Tangledfeet]

Its so much eaiser, the drawing almost wraps around the part, so you can check what youre making easier

Excellent description!

 

[Revs1972]

Had a bit of a debate about this with the 'draughtsman' at work, he'd to a mixture, depending on how he felt. You never knew if it was just the method of drawing, or if he'd just randomly scattered views about.

You have to be consistent when drawing. Can't give those pesky fabricators any more reasons to pick holes in your drawings

If I have to put a view in a place that is not logical , I always put a BIG note under it saying NOTE DIRECTION OF VIEW.
Amazing how some guys can't see the section arrows on the main elevation

 

[Paul.]

My son has a first class honours degree in graphic communication, makes him a BA no less. He tells me that orthographics are hardly touched on in the course nowadays, its all 3d. photoshop and the like.