1. Architectural Lines and Lettering
Chapter 6
Architectural Lines and Lettering

2. Introduction Drafting Universal graphic language
Uses lines, symbols, dimensions, and notes to describe a structure to be built
Properly drawn lines are dark, crisp, sharp, and of a uniform thickness

3. Types of Lines
Lines are the primary method of displaying images on architectural drawings
Must accurately and clearly represent content
There are a variety of types
Each conveys a meaning
Widths are thick or thin
Guidelines are used to guide manual lettering

5. Types of Lines (cont’d.)
Object lines
Define outline and characteristic features
Specific thickness
Presentations vary

7. Types of Lines (cont’d.)
Dashed lines (i.e., hidden lines)
Show features not visible in the view or plan

8. Types of Lines (cont’d.)
Extension lines
Show extent of dimension
Dimension lines
Show dimension length
Terminate at related extension lines with slashes, arrowheads, or dots

9. Types of Lines (cont’d.)

10. Types of Lines (cont’d.)
Leader lines
Thin, dark, and crisp
Used to connect notes to related features
Drawn freehand or with irregular curve

11. Types of Lines (cont’d.)
Break lines
Used to remove a portion of an object, show a partial view, shorten a long object
Also used to terminate features when extent is clearly defined
May be long or short
Line techniques
For additional information, refer to Student CD

12. Types of Lines (cont’d.)

13. Lettering Basic terminology: Composition Justify Lettering Text
Lettering spacing, layout, and appearance
Justify
To align text
Lettering
Traditional handmade letters and numbers
Text
Lettering using CADD

14. Lettering (cont’d.) Basic terminology (cont’d.): Annotation Font
Text, notes, dimensions, and text symbols
Font
Assortment of one size and style of lettering or text
Text style
Set of text characters (e.g., font, height, width)

15. Lettering (cont’d.) Single-stroke lettering
Single straight or curved line elements
Makes text easy and clear to read

16. Lettering (cont’d.) Slanted lettering
Slant to the right with an angle of 68° from horizontal
Uppercase slanted lettering is used for water feature names in mapping

17. Lettering (cont’d.) Lettering height Minimum should be 1/8" (3 mm)
Some companies use 5/32" (4 mm)
All dimension numerals, notes, and other lettered information should be the same
Except titles, drawing numbers, and captions
Height of fraction numbers should be the same as other lettering associated with the fraction

18. Lettering (cont’d.) Lettering legibility
Lettering should be dark, crisp, and sharp
Reproduction quality
Spaces should be uniform
Some letters will require spacing farther apart (e.g., I, N, or S versus L, A, or W)
Minimum recommended space between letters is 1/16" (1.5 mm)
Notes should be lettered horizontally

19. Lettering (cont’d.) Rules for lettering and text numeral applications:
Foot units are followed by foot symbol ('), and inch units are followed by inch symbol (″)
Inches and fractions are used for values less than 12 inches (e.g., 6″)
Metric values in architectural drafting are generally in millimeters

20. Lettering (cont’d.) Rules (cont’d.):
When metric values are used on a predominantly foot and inch drawing, the abbreviation “mm” follows the metric value
Metric unit names are lowercase
Except proper names
Vertical text is used for unit abbreviations
Leave a space between a numeral and an abbreviation

21. Lettering (cont’d.) Rules (cont’d.): Hints for professional lettering
Do not leave a space between a unit abbreviation and its prefix
Do not use plural unit symbols
Use the plural of spelled-out metric measurements
Millimeters (mm) are assumed
Hints for professional lettering
For additional information, refer to Student CD