About 2D Isometric Drawing
Simulate an isometric view of a 3D object by aligning objects along three major axes.
A 2D isometric drawing is a flat representation of a 3D isometric projection. This method of drawing provides a fast way to create an isometric view of a simple design. Distances measured along an isometric axis are correct to scale, but because you are drawing in 2D, you cannot expect to extract other 3D distances and areas, display objects from different viewpoints, or remove hidden lines automatically.
By using the ISODRAFT command, several system variables and settings are automatically changed to values that facilitate isometric angles. The standard isometric planes, called isoplanes, are as follows:
- Right. Aligns snap and grid along 30- and 90-degree axes.
- Left. Aligns snap and grid along 90- and 150-degree axes.
- Top. Aligns snap and grid along 30- and 150-degree axes.
Choosing one of the three isoplanes automatically causes the crosshairs cursor, and precision drawing and tracking tools to be aligned along the corresponding isometric axes. Therefore, you can draw the top plane, switch to the left plane to draw a side, and switch to the right plane to complete the drawing.
You can use the Isometric Drafting tool on the status bar to select the desired isoplane. Alternatively, you can press F5 or Ctrl+E to cycle through the isoplanes.
The following commands and features are the most commonly used ones to maintain precision in isometric drawings:
- Polar tracking and direct distance entry
- Object snaps and grid snaps
- Object snap tracking
- Move and Copy
- Trim and Extend
When creating 2D isometric drawings, create reference geometry of different colors. This method is particularly useful when constructing ellipses to represent fillets.
Isometric Circles, Arcs, and Fillets
When drawing on isometric planes, use ellipses to represent circles. The easiest way to draw an ellipse with the correct shape is to use the Isocircle option of the ELLIPSE command. The Isocircle option is available only when an isometric plane is active, which is controlled by the ISODRAFT command or the SNAPSTYL system variable.
Use isocircles for arcs, fillets, and any other radial curve, trimming and extending them to other edges. Isocricles correctly represent cylinders or holes that are parallel to an isometric axis, and their silhouette edges are always parallel to an isometric axis.
To represent concentric circles, draw another ellipse with the same center rather than offsetting the original ellipse. Offsetting produces oval-shaped splines that do not represent the foreshortened distances that you would expect.
Isometric Grid and Grid Snap
When you switch from orthographic to isometric drawing, the grid and grid snap will change from a rectangular pattern to a diamond pattern corresponding to the isometric angles. In addition, the grid lines will change to grid dots, and the grid and grid snap distances will also be adjusted. When you turn off isometric drawing, your grid settings will be restored.
Related Articles
Drawing Tools
Drawing Tools To access the Drawing Tools, click on the Draw tab, and then select the Drawing Tools tab. The Drawing Tools interface has three tabs on the right side: Common Commands, Common Text, Common Blocks. Common Commands Tab The Common ...Understanding Drawing Tabs
Located at the bottom of the drawing area are tabs that allow you to switch between the Model tab and other layout tabs. While working in the drawing environment, you will need to have the Model tab selected. Selecting any other tab will bring you to ...Drawing Sections
Drawing Sections To draw sections of products, click on the Draw Product Sections icon and select a product. The Product Sections window will allow you to select which type of section to draw and set up specific options for how the section will be ...Adding a Custom Drawing Template to Toolbox
Find the location of your existing drawing template that you want to use in Toolbox. If you are using AutoCAD Standard, enter "Options" at the command prompt. Click the Files tab, expand Template Settings > Drawing Template File Location, and note ...To Work with Ellipses
The shape of an ellipse is determined by two axes that define its length and width. Draw an Isometric Circle If you are drawing on isometric planes to simulate 3D, you can use ellipses to represent isometric circles viewed from an oblique angle. ...
Recent Articles
Toolbox Release Notes | Build 24.1.0416.641
The following release notes apply to Toolbox build 24.1.0416.641. Maestro Toolfile Fix There was an issue with Maestro SCM Toolfiles reportedly experienced by some users, wherein the labels output by autolabeling would be in incorrect positions, an ...Toolbox Release Notes | Build 24.1.0409.641
The following release notes apply to Toolbox build 24.1.0409.641 Saw Delimited Processing Station Figure 1: The Saw Delimited option in a custom processing station. New options have been added to saw processing stations to allow for control over data ...Toolbox Release Notes | Build 24.1.0328.641
The following release notes apply to Toolbox Build 24.1.0328.641 Fillet Token Fixes Issues were discovered in the use of fillet tokens on products that also had the IRIB setting enabled: Some users processed work orders with rounded parts, which ...Microvellum Foundation Library Release Notes | Build 24.0322
Additions Added the Master Angled Ends Cabinet. Added a Global prompt, "Hinge Plate Offset From Front" for easier control. Added “Double Division” option to Horizontal Designer Cabinets, 3 Door Cabinets, and other similar products. Added a new ...Common Floating License Connectivity Issues
This document lists common issues reported by users regarding the topic of Microvellum’s Floating License Activation (FLA) and the connectivity required for FLA to function. Firewall Blocking Activation of Floating License Some users have had an ...