A Beginner’s Guide To Isometric Drawings: How Do We Use Them In Architecture?

Despite the lack of such details, isometric drawings are still relevant and useful in architecture. Let’s find out more about these drawings and how you can use them in your projects. 

What is An Isometric Drawing?

An isometric drawing is a type of axonometric drawing, based on the isometric projection, that has the same scale on all three axes (X, Y and Z axes). Derived from Greek meaning ‘equal measure’, isometric drawings are not distorted as the foreshortening of the axes is equal. 

It is a paraline drawing with all the lines parallel to the principal axes drawn at real lengths and same scale (Ching. F.D.K, 1995, A Visual Dictionary of Architecture). Any non-vertical lines are constructed at an angle of 30 degrees from the horizontal axis. Interestingly, this means there is no horizontal line in an isometric drawing. 

Isometric = Axonometric?

Isometric drawings are also axonometric, but what exactly does that mean? Axonometric drawings, or perspective or axonometry, is an orthographic projection to represent 3D objects with an oblique plane. It is also different from a two-point perspective in that an axonometric drawing shows three sides of an object while the two-point perspective only shows two sides of the project with lines heading towards the vanishing points.

There are three types of axonometric drawings - isometric, dimetric, and trimetric. Isometric drawings have a clear distinction from the other two wherein it has all dimensions to the same scale.

Difference between Isometric View and Isometric Projection

Isometric View

Then, what is the isometric view? In an architectural or product design, we use different views to show the overall design. No one drawing can show the complete product; we need a top view, plan view, side views and axonometric views. The view we get from an isometric project is called the isometric view. Unlike in perspective, the lines on each plane or axis do not intersect (or ‘vanish’) at a vanishing point. The isometric view angle is also specific – 30 degrees from the horizontal axis.

Isometric Projection

Here is a term often used interchangeably with isometric drawing. What is isometric projection? It is a graphical representation using the illusion of depth and undistorted presentation of the dimensions. We can say an axonometric projection is isometric when all the lines and planes are parallel and have the isometric view angle. 

What Are The Benefits of Isometric Drawings?

Isometric drawings are particularly useful in architecture. It helps architects to visualise and represent design ideas. Many architects have drawn isometric drawings to represent their ideas before a finalised design. We can still draw isometric drawings after the design is finalised though.

Because isometric drawings are essentially 2D drawings, they may be easier to comprehend. We can draw them to hide any unwanted elements for clean visuals.

It is only useful in architecture but also in engineering. In the next two sections, we will see how isometric drawings can be useful in both architecture and engineering.

There are different types of visualisation in architecture. Learn more about them with our guide to Understanding 3D Architecture Rendering.

Isometric Drawings In Architectural Design

Conceptual Design

We can commonly find isometric drawings as architectural diagrams to show the design concept and programmes. These diagrams can also include site information, sun path or even the landscape. More often than not, these isometric diagrams show the exterior building. However, they can also be used to show a 3D view of each floor or space. Axonometric diagrams, as they are better known as, can also show sequential, programmatic and structural elements. 

Exploded Drawings for Details

Exploded axonometric drawings show the details of a project that would otherwise be hidden behind walls in a ‘solid’ unexploded drawings. A conventional isometric drawing may only show the facade and the rood of an architectural design project; an exploded isometric drawing, however, can show the interiors and circulation through these spaces. 

Wayfinding

Wayfinding refers to a navigational system that guides users through a physical space, usually for ease of circulation and/or better spatial experience. A proper wayfinding system is essential in large buildings to ensure the occupants and the visitors do not feel lost. Isometric drawings as infographic maps can easily guide visitors around by showing routes and spaces or landmarks. This way, they know where to go and how to get there. 

Isometric Drawings In Engineering 

Isometric drawings are also handy in engineering. If they show design concepts and ideas in architecture, they work best to show details in MEP and structural projects.  

MEP

The plumbing drawings in isometric can aid engineers in visualising the product and the entire system before installation. While it cannot show clashes like a BIM MEP model could, it is still enough to get your contractor and client to understand how they will work. 

Structural

Isometric drawings are best to show facade and roof elements along with their connections. What does the overall roof frame look like and where does the connection happen in each member? These would require a 3D view of the structure and there is none better than isometric drawings for the task.

Drawing Isometric Views

Isometric Drawing In Revit 

As we normally create a 3D model first in Autodesk Revit, it is extremely easy to create an isometric drawing. Just get the right isometric view by playing with the camera angles. For piping works, you can use the Ez-ISO plugin to extract pipes from a Revit model into an isometric drawing.

Isometric Drawing In AutoCAD

Being a 2D and 3D drafting tool, AutoCAD is typically used to produce isometric drawings. There is an easy method to create an isometric drawing in AutoCAD – the ISODRAFT option. You just need to turn on this setting in the command line to use it. Isodraft command can also be activated using its icon on the Status Bar. Just remember which isoplane you are using before using drawing tools. 

How to create an isometric drawing in AutoCAD

With the Isodraft command on, you first choose an isoplane option. It controls ortho directions, snap and grid orientation and polar tracking angles. The chosen option specifies which plane on the model you are working on. Three things will change – the cursor and the grid, if turned on, and the appearance of the tools. Rectangle and Circle tools do not work in Isodraft mode; you may need to use polyline and Ellipse to create isometric drawing in AutoCAD.

Isometric Drawing In Adobe Illustrator

As mentioned above, isometric diagrams are common in architecture for both presentation boards and portfolios. We can use our modelling software to create these diagrams, but it is better to use Illustrator for a cleaner illustration style. You can draw isometric diagrams on a blank canvas or draw using isometric grids. 

Isometric drawing examples

In this example, Andrew Degraff showcased a series of conceptual isometric diagrams for his Unfinished Construction Sites project. What first started off as a project to show the beauty of construction later became a series that showed the magic behind structures.

This illustrated map by Mauco represents several landmarks in London near the Spectrum building. The buildings are then connected by the main roads and the addition of human figures brings activity to the map. Such a map provides wayfinding with a more cartoon-ish visual while making use of isometric views.

In the 1920s, the Bauhaus school began using axonometric drawings in place of visualisations based on the human perspective. The visual representation was minimal and abstract. This change was believed to have reflected their school’s, and their founder, Walter Gropius, philosophy on buildings as objects or machines.

Conclusion

There are plenty of isometric drawing examples available on the internet. Architects still create them to represent ideas even if they cannot be used as construction drawings. Some even go as far as to create hand-drawn isometric drawings without using any digital design tools. All these show the significance of isometric drawing in design; they are creative, playful and yet can show plenty of information in a single diagram.

Can you use isometric drawings in your design portfolio or jury review? Definitely! Find more tips on how to present your design ideas with our blogs in Resources. 

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