74 Print Reading for Industry
Selection of Views
An orthographic projection can result in six
normal views, as previously illustrated. Since
there are three directions in space, an object can be
viewed from the right or left, top or bottom, and
front or back. However, only those views necessary
to clearly describe the object need to appear in the
drawing. Seldom is an object so complex that all six
normal views are required. Usually, the necessary
details can be shown in two or three views. Three
views will almost always fully describe an object,
but more views can be used if there is a lot of
detail on the opposite sides of an object. Directions
other than the six normal directions are defined as
auxiliary views, which are discussed in Unit 7.
Figure 5-1.
The views of a multiview drawing are systematically arranged so anyone can visualize the object.
Top
Bottom
Right
side
Front
Left
side
Rear
Top
Ri
g
h
t
s
id
e
Front
Figure 5-2.
Each side of an unfolded cardboard box is oriented similar to orthographic projection views.