metric isometric drawing

1. Metric Isometric Drawing

2. • Metric scale is expressed as a ratio, that is, a proportional relationship of like units (i.e. 1
millimeter equals 200 millimeters, or, 1 centimeter equals 200 centimeters), unlike imperial
scale, or foot-inch scale, which is expressed as unlike units (i.e. 1 inch equals 1 foot, or one-sixteenth
inch equals one foot). Imperial scale can be expressed as a scale ratio by converting to
like units (i.e 1/16”=1’-0” becomes 1”=192” or 1:192 which is similar to the metric 1:200 scale).

3. • The metric scale is easier to read than the architect’s scale in that there are no
fractions of units. All units are read as either millimeters, centimeters or
meters. A 1:100 scale can be used for a 1:10 scale by moving a decimal place
over and reading 1 meter as 100 millimeters. 25.4 mm = 1” (or, 100 mm ≈ 4”).

4. • Millimeters are commonly used as dimensional units in furniture design, and
when units are expressed uniformly, there is no need to notate the units after
the dimension. Here, the units are all noted in millimeters and the dimensions
are expressed along the isometric axes.

5. • The isometric view can be constructed by first converting the orthographic plan view
into an isometric plan view and using that to project into the vertical axis (the Z axis).
• The dimensions can be measured directly along the X, Y or Z axis from the orthographic
plan, but other dimensions will not be accurate (i.e. diagonals).

6. • Once the plan of the object is laid out (lightly) isometrically on
the bottom plane along the X and Y axes, it becomes relatively
easy to project all the heights of the object up into the vertical
axis, the Z axis – based upon the orthographic elevation heights.

7. • An isometric provides a relaxed view of both axes of a space and can be
constructed relatively easily in order to depict spatial relationships with
accurate, scalable dimensions. Pulling the roof up from the space, or the
wall out, allows one to see both the interior space and the exterior envelope
of a construction.