Samuel Briskar Isometric illustrations are a type of drawing that can be helpful when trying to illustrate three dimensional shapes. This is an excellent technique for designers who need to create technical drawings and diagrams. Isometric illustrations are created by the use of an isometrics grid, with each square representing one unit of length. The lines on this grid are drawn at right angles to each other, which creates the illusion of depth in a two-dimensional image or drawing. In addition, many people find it easier to grasp measurements from pictures such as these than they do from written instructions or flat drawings because there’s no distortion due to perspective
The most common types of isometric illustration include: orthographic projection (also called iso-view), oblique projection (also called iso-angle), and dimetric projection (also called dia-view).
Isometric illustrations are created from a series of x, y and z axis lines that intersect with each other at right angles. These lines form what is called an isometrics grid. The x axis runs in the horizontal direction, the y axis runs in the called iso-view), and distortion projection.
The term “isometric” means having equal measurements when considered from different perspectives, such as the top, bottom, left and right. It’s a visual way of describing an object that could be measured with a protractor. An isometric illustration can be created by using any three regular (equal) angles and connecting them with lines that are at right angles to each other. Since the surfaces on an isometric drawing are all parallel, any angle can be used without affecting the final product.
It is possible to create an isometric drawing by hand using a ruler and compass or straight edge, but it’s much easier for designers to use specialized isometric illustration software.
Since the two-dimensional view will have be seen from several different angles (top, bottom, left and right), it’s important to know how each view will look when the drawing is viewed from that angle. Creating an isometric grid using either a ruler or compass before creating your drawing can help you determine whether you’re drawing a correct angle.
The dimensions of each square on the isometrics grid should be measured based on the size of your object and then converted to a fraction or decimal ratio. For example, if your object is 10 cm long and you want it represented by one square on this grid, you divide 10 by 2, which gives you a ratio of 5 cm. You then multiply this size by the number of squares on the grid and divide by 2, which equals 25 squares (this is actually an over-exaggerated example to make my point).
Isometric Grids: The vertical lines that intersect with each other are called “isometric” axes or “isoclines”. Lines that are drawn at right angles to these axes, and the intersections between the isoclines, are called “isodashes” or “iso-dots.”
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