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3.4ANNOTATION &
SCALE

Visual Communication-Technical Drawings

Semester I, B.Voc Interior Design
Module 3.4.1
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Scale
Because of the sheer size of building designs, orthographic drawings are always reduced in scale -using
dimensions that are chosen by the designer to act as an appropriate fractional version of their equivalent
full size. A set of orthographical views comprising plans, sections and elevations is usually drafted to the
same scale so that their collective information can easily be cross-referenced, and a complete graphic
picture of the building design assembled.

Selecting a scale for a drawing is the means of regulating both the size and the amount of detail that is
required to describe the nature of the design. In other words, when choosing a scale, the designer is
regulating the amount of distance between the mind's eye and the complexity of an idea. Therefore, the
bigger the building concept, the smaller it’s size on the drawing board, and the further away it is from the
designer's mind's eye. For example, small buildings, such as a house, may be drawn orthographically to a
scale of 1:50, or even at the smaller scale of 1:100, but the increased scale of 1:20 will allow more detail to
be revealed. Whereas increasingly larger buildings, and groups of buildings, have to be shrunk along the
decreasing scales of, 1:200 and 1:500. Thus, in regulating scale, we not only adjust the graphic distance of
an idea, but we also control its size in relation to a drawing board layout.

Architectural ideas are transferred into a scaled existence using the scale rule. This carry marks that
represent the different scales -employing calibrations reduced in a consistent proportion. For example, a
reduction of 1:50 is indicated by markings which, together with others, are etched at the ends of the rule.
Along the edge of the rule calibrations will indicate 0, 2, 4, and 6 and so on. These represent millimetres
which, along the scale of 1:50, are each equal to 50 millimetres of real size.
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Although the scale of a design idea will tend to increase somewhat between the onset of designin g to its
conclusion in presentation drawings, this Gulliverian view of an evolving built form can place considerable
distance between designer and idea. Indeed, the need to design and present in detail must necessitate a
further fragmentation of designs into larger-scale study drawings. If they were not enlarged, the designer
might never predict precisely nor realize the implications of the object's future existence. Moreover, the
articulation of designs at the larger scales allows them to 'breathe', and brings about a confrontation in
which the 'touch' and the 'smell' of a building's potential existence might be sensed. At the definitive
drawing stage it is important to annotate orthographic with a clear indication of scale. This is commonly
shown numerically, but can be illustrated using a graphic version of the scale rule.

Insertion of this information is especially useful when drawings are to be resized at a later date.
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Use of Engineering Scales
Drawings of small objects can be prepared of the same size as the objects they represent. A 15 cm long
pencil may be shown by a drawing of 15 cm length. Drawings drawn of the same size as the objects are
called full-size drawings. The ordinary full-size scales are used for such drawings.

Reducing and enlarging scales: It may not be always possible to prepare full size drawings. They are,
therefore, drawn proportionately smaller or larger. When drawings are drawn smaller than the actual size
of the objects (as in case of buildings, bridges, large machines etc.) the scale used is said to be a reducing
scale. Drawings of small machine parts, mathematical instruments, watches etc. are made larger than
their real size. These are said to be drawn on an enlarging scale.

Representative fraction: The ratio of the length of the drawing to the actual length of the object
represented is called the Representative Fraction (i.e. R.F.). When a 1 cm long line in a drawings
represents 1 meter length of the object, the R.F. is equal to 1cm /1m = I/100 and the scale of the drawing
will be 1:100 or 1/100 full size. The R.F. of a drawing is greater than unity when it is drawn on an enlarging
scale. For example, when a 2 mm long edge of an object is shown in a drawing by a line 1 cm long, the R.F.
is 1cm /2mm = 5. Such a drawing is said to be drawn on scale 5: 1 or ‘five times full -size’.

Types of Scales:

The scales generally used for general engineering drawings are 1:1, 1:2, 1:2.5, 1:5, 1:10, 1:20,

1:50, 1:100, 1:200, 1:1000, 1:2000 etc. All these scales are usually 30 cm long and sub-divided throughout
their lengths.

The scale of a drawing is indicated on the drawing sheet at a suitable place near the title thus, ‘Scale, 1:2’
or ‘Scale, half full-size’.

Scales on drawings: When an unusual scale is used, it is constructed on the drawing sheet. To construct a
scale the following information is essential:
• The R.F. of the scale
• The units, which it must represent, for example, millimeters and centimeters, or feet and inches
etc.
• The maximum length, which it must show

The length of the scale is determined by the formula:

Length of the scale = R.F. x maximum length required to be measured.

It may not be always possible to draw as long a scale as to measure the longest length in the drawing. The
scale is therefore drawn 15 cm to 30 cm long, longer lengths being measured by marking them off in parts.

Plain scales: A plain scale consists of a line divided into suitable number of equal parts or units, the first of
which is sub-divided into smaller parts. Plain scales represent either two units or a unit and its sub-
division.
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In every scale

• The zero should be placed at the end of the first main division, i.e. between the unit and its sub -
divisions.
• From the zero mark, the units should be numbered to the right and its sub-divisions to the left.
• The names of the units and the sub-divisions should be stated clearly below or at the respective
ends.
• The names of the scale (e.g. scale, 1:10) or its R.F. should be mentioned below the scale.
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Measurement of Every Day Objects & Activities

Scales (above fig.): Scales are made of wood, steel, celluloid or plastic, Rustless-steel scales are more
durable. Scales may be flat or of triangular cross-section. 15 cm long and 2 cm wide or 30 cm long and 3 cm
wide flat scales are in common use. They are usually about 1 mm thick.
Scales of greater thickness have their longer edges bevelled. This helps in marking measurements from the
scale to the drawing paper accurately. Both the longer edges of the scales are marked with divisions of
centimetres, which are sub-divided into millimetres.
The scale is used to transfer the true or relative dimensions of an object to the drawing. It is placed with its
edge on the line on which measurements are to be marked and, looking from exactly above the required
division, the marking is done with a fine pencil point. The scale should never be used as a straight-edge for
drawing lines.
Engineering scales:- Have different systems as MKS, FI System:- Measurement in Metric system :-
1 m = 100 cms &
1 ft. = 12 inches.
First angle projection: We have assumed the object to be situated in front of the V.P. and above the H.P.
i.e. in the first quadrant and then projected it on these planes. This method of projection is known as first
angle projection method. The object lies between the observer and the plane of projection. In this method,
when the views are drawn in their relative positions, the top view comes below the front view. In other
words, the view seen from above is placed on the other side of (i.e. below) the front view. Each projection
shows the view of that surface (of the object) which is remote from the plane on which it is projected and
which is nearest to the observer.
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Knowledge of Planar forms

Planes of projection: The two planes employed for the purpose of orthographic projections are called
reference planes or principal planes of projection. They interact each other at right angles.

The vertical plane of projection (in front of the observer) is usually denoted by the letters V.P. It is often
called the frontal plane and denoted by the letters F.P. The other plane is the horizontal plane of projection
known as the H.P. The line in which they interact is termed the reference line and is denoted by the letters
xy. The projection on the V.P. is called the front view or the elevation of the object. The projection on the
H.P. is called the top view or the plan.
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Four quadrants: When the planes of projection are extended beyond the line of intersection, they form
four quadrants or dihedral angles which may be numbered. The object may be situated in any one of the
quadrants, its position relative to the planes being described as above or below the H.P. and in front of or
behind the V.P. The planes are assumed to be transparent.

The projections are obtained by drawing perpendiculars from the object to the planes i.e. by looking from
the front and from above. They are then shown on a flat surface by rotating one of the planes as already
explained. It should be remembered that the first and the third quadrants are always opened out while
rotating the planes. The positions of the views with respect to the reference line will change according to
the quadrant in which the object may be situated. This has been explained in detail in the next chapter.

The front view of an object shows the width and height dimensions. The front view is the projected on the
frontal plane of projection
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Dimensioning
Dimensioning involves incorporating numerical values in a drawing to accurately locate and size various
objects and assemblies in buildings and interiors. Dimension lines and arrows (or tick marks) are used to
identify exactly where the dimension begins and ends. Dimensions are grouped, where possible, and
ordered in a hierarchical manner. First the overall, or outside, dimension of a space or object is indicated,
then the dimension of smaller details within the space are noted. Dimensions are required on all
construction drawings and must be accurate, complete, and readable. At the present time, most
construction drawings are dimensioned in the English or metric systems, using feet and inches, or meters.

When feet and inches are used for dimensioning, the symbol (') is used for feet and (") for inches.
Dimensions less than 12" are specified in inches, with no zero before them. Dimensions 12" or above are
specified in feet and inches, with a dash placed between the feet and inches, such as 2'-6". If a dimension is
an even number of feet, the inches are generally shown as a zero, such as 5'- 0".

However, some firms prefer to leave the inches off when they are zero, such as 5'. If a distance is a fraction
of an inch without a whole number before it, some prefer to put a zero before it for clarity, such as 0'-3⁄8".
In most drawings using the metric system, all dimensions are in millimetres, such as 5 mm.
Dimensioning should remain consistent with respect to how materials and assemblies are
measured, whether to subsurface or finish surfaces. For example, if a wall is dimensioned to
the finished face, subsequent walls should also be dimensioned to their finished faces. A
note should be placed on the drawing to denote how items are to be measured. If there are
any exceptions to this overall rule, these should be called out on the sheet.
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