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Orthographic projection can be thought of as a communication tool between engineers and builders. These projections are representative blueprints of a three dimensional shape and allow for accurate measurements to be maintained. Professions in design and construction use these drawings, including architects, engineers, technical artists, illustrators, graphic designers, machinists, programmers, carpenters, masons, electricians, and even cartographers (map builders).

Let's take a look at some orthographic projections of
three dimensional solids composed of cubes.

def
An orthographic projection (or orthogonal projection) is a two-dimensional drawing used to represent a three dimensional object.

An orthographic view represents the exact shape of an object seen from one side at a time as you look perpendicularly at the object (without showing depth of the object). An object is usually depicted by three orthographic views: top, front, and right side.

blocks

We will be using "stacking and locking blocks" to illustrate the 3-dimensional objects.  These blocks are 1 inch cubes.

In the examples below, the "orthographic projections" shows views of the top, the front, and the right side.
The "3D Stack" shows a possible three-dimensional figure that could be created from the the orthographic projections. The picture shows a photographic view of the solid formed using stacking blocks.

Orthographic Projections
redblockO
redblock3D
redcubepic2

 

Orthographic Projections
yellowblockO
yellowblock3D
yellowcubepic

 

Orthographic Projections
greenblockO
greenblock3D
greencubepic

 

Orthographic Projections
blueblockO
blueblock3D
bluecubepic



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