In engineering and manufacturing, we have different kinds of parts to manufacture and all of these parts are in 3D form. In general, it is rare to deal with 2D parts in manufacturing except for sheet metal parts. But if you need to show these 3D parts in technical drawings, we expect to show these 3D parts in your 2D engineering drawing sheet. But also, we can add an axonometric view to the technical drawing sheet to make the visualization of the 3D part easy. Here you can find the importance of axonometric views in engineering drawings and other applications.
Table of Contents ;
There are lots of engineering drawing rules and techniques to do it, for example, you can show 3D parts ad 2D views. A reader can understand and visualize the 3D part from these 2D views.
What is Axonometry?
In geometry, axonometry is a drawing technique that which they show 3D parts in 2D planes. There are different methods of axonometric drawings.
The Three Types Of The Axonometric Projection
According to the foreshortening situation of the edges, there are three types of axonometric projection.
- Isometric projection: In a three-axis direction, the amount of the foreshortening is equal.
- Dimetric projection: In this projection, two axes are the body is foreshortened in the same amount and the third axis is foreshortened in different amount.
- Trimetric projection: Foreshortenings in three directions are different.
Isometric Drawing
The first method of axonometric viewing and drawing is showing the 3D part in an isometric view. In this axonometry method, we place all the primary sides of the objects at equal angles as shown below.
Dimetric Viewing Technique
The second method of axonometry is, showing all the sides of a 3D object with 2 equal primary sides of the object. We call this method dimetric, which means the positioning of two sides is equal. Take a look at the basic example below.
Trimetric Viewing
The third method of axonometric drawing is showing all the primary sides of the 3D part equally. To understand it check the basic example below.

Which Axonometric Drawing Techniques That We Use?
We use all types of axonometric drawing techniques both in engineering and architecture. Especially in architecture, axonometry is a very important technique to show different sides of buildings and models.
The selection of one of these three techniques of axonometry is about the necessities of the model.
For example, if you need to show the details of all the sides of the model, it can be better to prefer the isometric viewing technique over other axonometric drawing techniques.

As you see in the photo above, they use the isometric viewing technique to show all the details of the interior architecture of a house plan. You can see all the interior details easily and equally with this axonometric drawing technique. Because of it, we embrace the isometric drawing technique generally in interior house plan illustrations like the above. You can see all the details equally.
The isometric technique may be the most used technique around other axonometric views because of these facts.
Example of Dimetric Axonometric View
We use the dimetric viewing technique generally for showing the details of the front side of the objects. In this axonometry viewing technique, the front side of the objects is in the foreground.
Take a look at the example below. The designer of this building model intended to show the details of the front side of the building by illustrating it in dimetric viewing technique. The first thing that attracts the viewer’s attention is the bookshop on the front side of the building.

We stated that, in the dimetric viewing technique, the front side of the models is in the foreground but the other sides are not actually. There is another axonometric viewing technique that makes the sides and top of the models in the foreground. This is the trimetric view of axonometry.
Trimetric View Example
In trimetric view, the right side and the top of the models are in the showcase but the front side is not in the foreground. We use this kind of axonometric drawing style generally in cartography. If the deepness of the buildings is important in a map, cartography is generally using this trimetric method to show both the top side of the map and the right sides of the buildings and 3D objects to make them appear equally.
Take a look at the axonometric view example below. You can see both the top-side view without losing any sight of it. You can see the roads, internal connections, etc. But also this axonometric view technique give a very good advantage to show required details about the 3D objects in the city.

Conclusion on Axonometric Projections
As you understand, different kinds of axonometric drawing techniques are extensively used in different kinds of professions such as architecture, mechanics, and civil engineering. According to your profession, selecting the correct axonometry technique is very important to show all the details of your model. Also, it is a very common technique that people are searching about that term to learn it. You can learn it here very well and apply it in your projects in general.
Finally, do not forget to leave your comments and questions below about the axonometric viewing techniques and their usage areas!
Your precious feedbacks are very important to us!
FAQs About Axonometric Views
The main difference between these two terms, of them, is the type of the other one. If you take a look at the article above, you can see that the isometric view is a type of axonometric view. Also, there are other types such as dimetric and trimetric views.
No, there are different kinds of degrees according to the types. You can take a look at the general degrees that you draw for types of axonometric views.
You can find different angles of the axonometric drawing technique. Check the different types such as isometric, trimetric, and dimetric views above. So, you can find the angles of them.
There are different methods to do it. If you are using hand drawings, you need to specify a horizon point. And also you need to make your drawing according to this horizon point to obtain successful drawings.
Axonometry is not an actual design. It is a viewing technique of 3D objects in 2D planes. So, you can introduce your 3D designs by using axonometric drawing techniques which we explain above.
The main function of these projections is, that we show the 3D objects in 2D planes without any problem. So, the viewer of these views can see all the details in these projection techniques.
The importance of this projection technique emerges from the need of explaining 3D objects in 2D papers and surfaces. So, they are very useful techniques that we use in technical drawing applications.
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