TD

Tim Douglass

25/07/2004 7:58 AM

Making drawings and plans

I've been trying to design a couple of projects this summer (shop not
yet usable, so might as well do that) and I've been having a real hard
time producing usable drawings. My main problem is that I don't seem
to have any idea how to put the depth into my drawings. I can draw a
flat front view, but I really need a 3/4 view to be able to see how
the various pieces fit together - and I can't draw it.

I have turbo cad 3D, but that is overkill and I'm way too slow using
it. What I really want is a recommendation of a book that would show
how to draw things in perspective. If there is an easier (and cheap)
software product that would help me that would be great too. I don't
need detailed drawings, but I do need to see how the front and side
views come together.

Tim Douglass

http://www.DouglassClan.com


This topic has 19 replies

ee

edard

in reply to Tim Douglass on 25/07/2004 7:58 AM

25/07/2004 12:06 PM

Tim Douglass wrote:
(...)
> If there is an easier (and cheap)
> software product that would help me that would be great too. I don't
> need detailed drawings, but I do need to see how the front and side
> views come together.
> Tim Douglass
> http://www.DouglassClan.com

Here is a free and versatile printer program to print all kinds of graph
paper: http://www.winsite.com/bin/Info?500000008486
HTH
--

b

in reply to Tim Douglass on 25/07/2004 7:58 AM

26/07/2004 3:28 PM

On Mon, 26 Jul 2004 11:13:51 -0700, Tim Douglass
<[email protected]> wrote:

>On Sun, 25 Jul 2004 23:53:53 -0400, [email protected] (J T)
>wrote:
>
>>Sun, Jul 25, 2004, 7:58am (EDT-3) [email protected]
>>(Tim Douglass) laments:
>><snip> I really need a 3/4 view to be able to see how the various pieces
>>fit together <snip>
>>
>> Well, if I was in a rush, I'd just go and look at something
>>similar, from whatever angle, and just sketch it. But, seeing as my
>>drawing tool is a pencil, and yours is a computer, that might not work
>>for you.
>
>Actually my drawing tool of choice for shop drawings is a pencil, but
>since I never progressed beyond stick figures it's proving very hard
>(read that as impossible to date) to be able to draw anything in
>perspective. I've got some resources now so I'm going to see what I
>can teach myself. It isn't as easy as it seems (at least to me).
>
>Tim Douglass


getting natural looking perspective views is an entirely mechanical
process. it takes some skills, but no talent.

BW

Bill Waller

in reply to Tim Douglass on 25/07/2004 7:58 AM

25/07/2004 12:16 PM

Try your local office supply store for isometric graph paper. I used it for
years to do drawings of everything from bird houses to industrial piping
systems. Once you get the hang of working in the 60º mode, you will find that
you can do it freehand from plan and elevation drawings.


On Sun, 25 Jul 2004 07:58:48 -0700, Tim Douglass <[email protected]>
wrote:

>I've been trying to design a couple of projects this summer (shop not
>yet usable, so might as well do that) and I've been having a real hard
>time producing usable drawings. My main problem is that I don't seem
>to have any idea how to put the depth into my drawings. I can draw a
>flat front view, but I really need a 3/4 view to be able to see how
>the various pieces fit together - and I can't draw it.
>
>I have turbo cad 3D, but that is overkill and I'm way too slow using
>it. What I really want is a recommendation of a book that would show
>how to draw things in perspective. If there is an easier (and cheap)
>software product that would help me that would be great too. I don't
>need detailed drawings, but I do need to see how the front and side
>views come together.
>
>Tim Douglass
>
>http://www.DouglassClan.com

Bill Waller
New Eagle, PA

[email protected]

JJ

in reply to Tim Douglass on 25/07/2004 7:58 AM

25/07/2004 11:53 PM

Sun, Jul 25, 2004, 7:58am (EDT-3) [email protected]
(Tim=A0Douglass) laments:
<snip> I really need a 3/4 view to be able to see how the various pieces
fit together <snip>

Well, if I was in a rush, I'd just go and look at something
similar, from whatever angle, and just sketch it. But, seeing as my
drawing tool is a pencil, and yours is a computer, that might not work
for you.



JOAT
Expensive tennis shoes won't cure a sore toe.
- Bazooka Joe
THE NEW COPPERPLATE http://www.banjer.com/midi/newcopp.mid

nn

in reply to Tim Douglass on 25/07/2004 7:58 AM

29/07/2004 12:16 PM

Check with local paper for end of paper rolls. Large sheets of blank
paper for sketching. Put two dots, one at each end of the sheet in
the middle then use a long straightedge to draws lines to the middle
where you've put top and bottom points of the desk. There should be
two Vs approaching the center from the two "vanishing points" at the
edge of the paper. Put some other point in the center for more lines
to the vanishing points. I've placed a plan view at 45° above the top
of the desk and drawn light vertical lines down to the primary V lines
for outlining drawers that look like they're receding. Once you go
through the steps it'll CLICK and never go away. Hope this makes
sense.

On Wed, 28 Jul 2004 12:01:30 -0700, Tim Douglass
<[email protected]> wrote:

>Sorry if it seems like I'm going over the top on this, but I've
>struggled with trying to draw up usable working drawings for years.
>I've not got the time to get good with CAD and it wasn't until I had
>the need last week to try to draw up a sketch of a computer desk for
>the church office (that someone else will build to my design) that the
>need got to be great enough for me to seriously try to figure it out.

TD

Tim Douglass

in reply to Tim Douglass on 25/07/2004 7:58 AM

26/07/2004 11:13 AM

On Sun, 25 Jul 2004 23:53:53 -0400, [email protected] (J T)
wrote:

>Sun, Jul 25, 2004, 7:58am (EDT-3) [email protected]
>(Tim Douglass) laments:
><snip> I really need a 3/4 view to be able to see how the various pieces
>fit together <snip>
>
> Well, if I was in a rush, I'd just go and look at something
>similar, from whatever angle, and just sketch it. But, seeing as my
>drawing tool is a pencil, and yours is a computer, that might not work
>for you.

Actually my drawing tool of choice for shop drawings is a pencil, but
since I never progressed beyond stick figures it's proving very hard
(read that as impossible to date) to be able to draw anything in
perspective. I've got some resources now so I'm going to see what I
can teach myself. It isn't as easy as it seems (at least to me).

Tim Douglass

http://www.DouglassClan.com

JJ

in reply to Tim Douglass on 26/07/2004 11:13 AM

26/07/2004 4:39 PM

Mon, Jul 26, 2004, 11:13am (EDT-3) [email protected]
(Tim=A0Douglass) says:
Actually my drawing tool of choice for shop drawings is a pencil, but
since I never progressed beyond stick figures it's proving very hard
(read that as impossible to date) to be able to draw anything in
perspective. <snip>

Well, I can draw, alway could. Never dont a lot with perspective
tho. So, I've found just sketch, using very light strokes, a LOT of
them, and when a line looks good, darken it slightly. If you put in
another line that looks better, erase the first darkened line, or make
the other even darker. Eventually, not too long, you'll start getting
something that looks like you want. Then keep darkenging lines until
you do. Sometimes I get smething with so many lines, it gets hard to
tell what I'm trying to do. So, white latex paint, on everything I want
to keep. Let it dry, and start again. Sometime I wind up with 2-3
layers of paint. But, always works out. Usually then, when I get to
the end, I go over everything I want, with a fine-tip magic marker. If
I need more than one, photo copy time. No prob.



JOAT
Expensive tennis shoes won't cure a sore toe.
- Bazooka Joe
THE NEW COPPERPLATE http://www.banjer.com/midi/newcopp.mid

b

in reply to Tim Douglass on 25/07/2004 7:58 AM

25/07/2004 9:40 PM

On Sun, 25 Jul 2004 17:43:49 -0700, Tim Douglass
<[email protected]> wrote:

>On Sun, 25 Jul 2004 09:46:25 -0700, Larry Jaques
><novalidaddress@di\/ersify.com> wrote:
>
>>Learn perspective from a local library book on mechanical
>>drawing/drafting, Tim. Titles from my library:
>
>Perfect! Thanks for the list. I knew that there would be good
>recomendations from here. Now I just have to see if I can actually
>lean.

it's not hard. I lean a lot. especially back. I really like a chair
that lets me get real comfortable....

<G>









>
>Tim Douglass
>
>http://www.DouglassClan.com

sW

[email protected] (WoodChuck34)

in reply to Tim Douglass on 25/07/2004 7:58 AM

26/07/2004 7:34 AM

Tim Douglass

<snip>
> I have turbo cad 3D, but that is overkill and I'm way too slow using
> it. What I really want is a recommendation of a book that would show
> how to draw things in perspective. If there is an easier (and cheap)
> software product
<snip>

Tim, I had the same problem with turbo cad and then I found Delta Cad.
Its watered down and easy to use. I thinks its about $40 and you can
download a free demo copy. Their website is:

www.deltacad.com

Hope that helps,

Chuck

TD

Tim Douglass

in reply to Tim Douglass on 25/07/2004 7:58 AM

25/07/2004 5:42 PM

On Sun, 25 Jul 2004 13:24:22 -0700, [email protected] wrote:

>http://www2.evansville.edu/studiochalkboard/draw.html
>http://www.geocities.com/~jlhagan/K9-14/introduction.htm

Helpful, thanks.

Tim Douglass

http://www.DouglassClan.com

b

in reply to Tim Douglass on 25/07/2004 7:58 AM

25/07/2004 1:24 PM

On Sun, 25 Jul 2004 07:58:48 -0700, Tim Douglass
<[email protected]> wrote:

>I've been trying to design a couple of projects this summer (shop not
>yet usable, so might as well do that) and I've been having a real hard
>time producing usable drawings. My main problem is that I don't seem
>to have any idea how to put the depth into my drawings. I can draw a
>flat front view, but I really need a 3/4 view to be able to see how
>the various pieces fit together - and I can't draw it.
>
>I have turbo cad 3D, but that is overkill and I'm way too slow using
>it. What I really want is a recommendation of a book that would show
>how to draw things in perspective. If there is an easier (and cheap)
>software product that would help me that would be great too. I don't
>need detailed drawings, but I do need to see how the front and side
>views come together.
>
>Tim Douglass
>
>http://www.DouglassClan.com




via google...


http://www2.evansville.edu/studiochalkboard/draw.html
http://www.geocities.com/~jlhagan/K9-14/introduction.htm

TD

Tim Douglass

in reply to Tim Douglass on 25/07/2004 7:58 AM

26/07/2004 11:10 AM

On Mon, 26 Jul 2004 07:57:04 GMT, Old Nick <[email protected]>
wrote:

>On Sun, 25 Jul 2004 17:43:49 -0700, Tim Douglass
><[email protected]> vaguely proposed a theory
>......and in reply I say!:
>
> remove ns from my header address to reply via email
>
>>Perfect! Thanks for the list. I knew that there would be good
>>recomendations from here. Now I just have to see if I can actually
>>lean.
>
>You need to lean to reard before you start drawing though! <G>

My rearding is OK, it's my tying that is a problem. :-)

Tim Douglass

http://www.DouglassClan.com

LJ

Larry Jaques

in reply to Tim Douglass on 25/07/2004 7:58 AM

25/07/2004 9:46 AM

On Sun, 25 Jul 2004 07:58:48 -0700, Tim Douglass
<[email protected]>
>wrote:
>
>>I've been trying to design a couple of projects this summer (shop not
>>yet usable, so might as well do that) and I've been having a real hard
>>time producing usable drawings. My main problem is that I don't seem
>>to have any idea how to put the depth into my drawings. I can draw a
>>flat front view, but I really need a 3/4 view to be able to see how
>>the various pieces fit together - and I can't draw it.
>>
>>I have turbo cad 3D, but that is overkill and I'm way too slow using
>>it. What I really want is a recommendation of a book that would show
>>how to draw things in perspective. If there is an easier (and cheap)
>>software product that would help me that would be great too. I don't
>>need detailed drawings, but I do need to see how the front and side
>>views come together.

Learn perspective from a local library book on mechanical
drawing/drafting, Tim. Titles from my library:

Mechanical drawing Book
Publisher, Date: New York, McGraw-Hill 1974 - Edition: 8th ed.
ISBN: 0070223106 - Description: 568 p. illus. 27 cm.


Audels mechanical drawing guide Book
Author: Theo. Audel and Company.
Publisher, Date: New York : The Company, c1947.
Description: 126, (i.e. 156) p.


Essentials of drafting Book
Author: Bethune, James D., 1941-
Publisher, Date: Englewood Cliffs, N.J. : Prentice-Hall, c1977.
ISBN: 0132844303 - Description: xiii, 386 p. : ill. ; 29 cm.


Engineering drawing and design Book
Author: Jensen, Cecil Howard, 1925-
Publisher, Date: New York : Gregg Division, McGraw-Hill, c1979. -
Edition: 2d ed.
ISBN: 0070325162 - Description: x, 741 p. : ill. ; 29 cm.


Systems drafting : creative reprographics for architects and
engineers Book
Author: Stitt, Fred A.
Publisher, Date: New York : McGraw-Hill, c1980.
ISBN: 0070615500 - Description: ix, 245 p. : ill. ; 28 cm.


Basic drafting Book
Author: Clifford, Martin, 1910-
Publisher, Date: Blue Ridge Summit, Pa. : Tab Books, c1980. -
Edition: 1st ed.
ISBN: 0830699457 - Description: vi, 270 p. : ill. ; 22 cm.


Technical drawing : an introduction Book
Author: Stirling, Norman.
Publisher, Date: New York : Van Nostrand Reinhold, c1980. -
Edition: Metric ed.
ISBN: 0442231512 - Description: 370 p. : ill. ; 26 cm.


Drafting projects for the amateur. Book
Publisher, Date: Blue Ridge Summit, Pa. : TAB Books, c1982. -
Edition: 1st ed.
ISBN: 0830613617 (pbk.) - Description: vii, 340 p. : ill. ; 22 cm.


The complete handbook of drafting Book
Author: Blandford, Percy W.
Publisher, Date: Blue Ridge Summit, Pa. : TAB Books, c1982. -
Edition: 1st ed.
ISBN: 083061365X (pbk.) - Description: viii, 314 p. : ill. ; 22
cm.


Technical drawing Book
Publisher, Date: New York : Macmillan, c1986. - Edition: 8th ed.
ISBN: 0023426004 - Description: ix, 964 p. : ill. ; 27 cm.
-
The advantage of exercising every day is that you die healthier.
------------
http://diversify.com Dynamic Websites, PHP Apps, MySQL databases

MJ

"Mark Jerde"

in reply to Tim Douglass on 25/07/2004 7:58 AM

26/07/2004 8:01 PM

J T wrote:

> Well, if I was in a rush, I'd just go and look at something
> similar, from whatever angle, and just sketch it. But, seeing as my
> drawing tool is a pencil, and yours is a computer, that might not work
> for you.

The plastic corners on my computer make nice marks on paper, thank you. ;-)

-- Mark

ON

Old Nick

in reply to Tim Douglass on 25/07/2004 7:58 AM

26/07/2004 7:57 AM

On Sun, 25 Jul 2004 17:43:49 -0700, Tim Douglass
<[email protected]> vaguely proposed a theory
......and in reply I say!:

remove ns from my header address to reply via email

>Perfect! Thanks for the list. I knew that there would be good
>recomendations from here. Now I just have to see if I can actually
>lean.

You need to lean to reard before you start drawing though! <G>
*****************************************************
It's not the milk and honey we hate. It's having it
rammed down our throats.

DC

"David Cannaday"

in reply to Tim Douglass on 25/07/2004 7:58 AM

28/07/2004 7:33 PM

that is a great program, and just my price too lol. David.

"edard" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Tim Douglass wrote:
> (...)
> > If there is an easier (and cheap)
> > software product that would help me that would be great too. I don't
> > need detailed drawings, but I do need to see how the front and side
> > views come together.
> > Tim Douglass
> > http://www.DouglassClan.com
>
> Here is a free and versatile printer program to print all kinds of graph
> paper: http://www.winsite.com/bin/Info?500000008486
> HTH
> --
>

TD

Tim Douglass

in reply to Tim Douglass on 25/07/2004 7:58 AM

28/07/2004 12:01 PM

On Sun, 25 Jul 2004 12:16:24 -0400, Bill Waller <[email protected]>
wrote:

>Try your local office supply store for isometric graph paper. I used it for
>years to do drawings of everything from bird houses to industrial piping
>systems. Once you get the hang of working in the 60º mode, you will find that
>you can do it freehand from plan and elevation drawings.

Dang! That's incredible! I printed some out from the graph paper
program some else suggested and tried it. After reading a couple of
the resources others suggested it made sense, so I did a quick sketch
of a dresser design I had been playing with - not quite perfect, but
I'm amazed that *I* was actually able to draw up something that I
could really visualize in 3-D. Now I need to play around with it so
that I can figure out how to do an odd angle and I'm in business.

Sorry if it seems like I'm going over the top on this, but I've
struggled with trying to draw up usable working drawings for years.
I've not got the time to get good with CAD and it wasn't until I had
the need last week to try to draw up a sketch of a computer desk for
the church office (that someone else will build to my design) that the
need got to be great enough for me to seriously try to figure it out.

Thanks to all who provided input - it suddenly seems like something I
can actually do!

Tim Douglass

http://www.DouglassClan.com

TD

Tim Douglass

in reply to Tim Douglass on 25/07/2004 7:58 AM

25/07/2004 5:43 PM

On Sun, 25 Jul 2004 09:46:25 -0700, Larry Jaques
<novalidaddress@di\/ersify.com> wrote:

>Learn perspective from a local library book on mechanical
>drawing/drafting, Tim. Titles from my library:

Perfect! Thanks for the list. I knew that there would be good
recomendations from here. Now I just have to see if I can actually
lean.

Tim Douglass

http://www.DouglassClan.com

ON

Old Nick

in reply to Tim Douglass on 25/07/2004 7:58 AM

27/07/2004 4:36 AM

On Mon, 26 Jul 2004 11:10:58 -0700, Tim Douglass
<[email protected]> vaguely proposed a theory
......and in reply I say!:

remove ns from my header address to reply via email

Hehe!

>>You need to lean to reard before you start drawing though! <G>
>
>My rearding is OK, it's my tying that is a problem. :-)
>
>Tim Douglass
>
>http://www.DouglassClan.com

*****************************************************
It's not the milk and honey we hate. It's having it
rammed down our throats.


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