1. Surface Developments

2. How to draw a Surface Development…1 2 3 4 5 6
3 / 1
4 / 6
On the Plan of a shape (in this case a hexagon), add a number on each corner of the hexagon before projecting them down as shown in the example.
Mark each number in on the Elevation as well based on where they’re positioned on the hexagon.

3. Next, draw a Ground Line from the Elevation where the Surface Development will be.
Split the line up into 6 parts (based on the distance between each number on the hexagon), and project them onto the Ground Line using a trammel or compass. Number each line accordingly, before projecting it up.
Compass 1 2 3 4 5 6
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4 / 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5

4. After, take the heights from the Elevation for each number.
Transfer these heights onto the projected lines up from the ground line as shown below.
If you had been using a drawing board, you would have been able to use your T-Square to project the heights over horizontally. 1 2 3 4 5 6
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4 / 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5

5. Continue to take the heights from the Elevation for each number and adding these heights onto the projected lines up from the ground line. 1 2 3 4 5 6
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4 / 6
Trammel 5 4 3 2 1 6 5

6. Lastly, join up the marks to form your final Surface Development as shown below!1 2 3 4 5 6
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4 / 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5

7. Surface Developments in an Exam
In an exam, you may be asked to identify the correct surface development of a shape shown in an orthographic drawing, such as the question shown opposite.
We need to firstly identify what the Sufrace Development of the shape would be opened at A.

8. Looking closely at the Elevation on orthographic drawing of the shape, we could try to figure out what our Surface Development would look like based on this.
Normally working in a Clockwise Direction, if the shape was cut at A, the shape would go Up, Across, Down, Down, Across, Up where it would join back to the beginning. A

9. Number 6 is the correct Surface Development for A!
Looking closely at the options below, what Surface Development follows the pattern:
Up, Across, Down, Down, Across, Up
Remember the shape appears to be upside down in the drawing.
Number 6 is the correct Surface Development for A!

10. Lets try the same for B…
Normally working in a Clockwise Direction, if the shape was cut at B, the shape would go Across, Up, Up, Across, Down, Down where it would join back to the beginning. B

11. Number 4 is the correct Surface Development for B!
Looking closely at the options below, what Surface Development follows the pattern:
Across, Up, Up, Across, Down, Down
Remember the shape appears to be upside down in the drawing.
Number 4 is the correct Surface Development for B!

12. Keep Practicing Past Paper Questions!