Isometric Drawings

Isometrics are in essence provided as an illustrated view of the system being detailed. These drawings aren't usually drawn to a specific scale (Not to Scale). A "to scale" drawing would be created in plan or elevation view if needed, which is usually the way we set up plans in our office.

The basic principles to keep in mind when creating isometric drawings is that the primary isoplane angle is 30 degrees and also that all leaders and text should be created in the same angles. In autocad the snap style should be set to isometric, as follows:

Command: snap

Specify snap spacing or [ON/OFF/Style/Type] <0.50000>: style

Enter snap grid style [Standard/Isometric] :Isometric

This sets the crosshairs to isometric style and allows drawing at 30 degree angles. Ctrl-E changes the crosshairs from left, right or top view. All blocks, leaders and text created can be done in isometric views, keeping in mind that text entities will need to be obliqued +30 or -30 to be viewed correctly.

To set the snap style back to normal redo the above command and select standard.

Eckler Engineering has created a popup dialogue box that has basic fittings and valves already established in the 30 degree angles. Additional items will be added as time permits.

The toolbar button is located in the "EE Symbols & Annotation" toolbar.

Scaling Etiquette

Just a quick reminder that you should never scale objects that are drawn to a true 1:1 in modelspace. I have recently come accross objects / xrefs that were scaled 2x bigger to achieve desired scale in papersapce.

The proper way to achieve a desired scale is to adjust the viewport scale in paperspace to the desired size (i.e. 1/4" = 1'-0" etc.). When objects that are drawn accurately (1:1) in modelspcace are scaled, larger or smaller, to achieve a desired plotted scale in paperspace, it can create havoc with the next drafter to work on the project. Even if you're the only drafter working on the drawings, over a period of time you can forget what you did with scaling of objects and create problems for yourself.

Proper viewport scaling and selecting the proper annotation scale for text and leaders will make life much easier for everyone.

Thank you.