Bellevue Community College

Interior Design 160: GRAPHIC COMMUNICATION

Paraline Drawing Exercises – Use for either Isometric or Oblique Projection

These Orthographic drawings define three-dimensional objects. Paraline drawing is a method of
projecting the form and shape of objects onto a two-dimensional surface – paper – giving an
illusion of three-dimensional form. Paraline drawing uses the object’s true scale to construct the
3D image, allowing one to measure accurate dimensions on the object. Practice creating Paraline
projection drawings of these objects using the scale indicated.

Block Step (1/4” = 1/-0”) Angled Block (1/2” = 1/-0”)

Gable Roof Form (1/4” = 1/-0”)

Block Cutout (1/2” = 1/-0”)

Square Hole Block (1/2” = 1/-0”)

Square Peg Chair (3/4” = 1/-0”) 1
Bellevue Community College
Interior Design 160: GRAPHIC COMMUNICATION

Instructions for Drawing BLOCK STEP in Plan Oblique Projection

Plan Oblique projection allows you to use a true-shaped plan. Simply rotate it and align with either
a 30/60 or a 45/45 triangle. The word, “paraline,” refers to the fact that parallel lines – in the
example below either 30/60 degree angles or vertical – for drawing all of the lines for this object.
Note that only two dimensions are actually measured with your architectural scale, both height
dimensions. The width and depth dimensions are projected directly from the plan. Height
dimensions are transferred to other vertical lines through the use of parallel projection.

1
4 The triangle symbols show the three
correct placements of your triangle on
Begin second block step: the parallel rule as you draw this
• Measure 5’ from point F to find exercise. No other angles are used.
L. Mark that point.
• Draw a 30º line from L to • Draw vertical lines from A and B.
create point N. • Measure 10’ from point A to find
• Draw a vertical line from K. point C. Mark that point.
• Draw a 60º line from L to • Draw a 30º line from C through D.
create point M.

30º
2
60º Repeat Step 1, but:
• Use points E,F
as in A,B
• Use Points G,H
as in C,D
Two parallel vertical
planes of equal size
are now projected
from the plan.

3
Complete the first
block step:
• Draw line from C
5 through G
Finish second block step: • Draw line from D
• Draw a vertical line through H
from J.
• Draw a 60º line from N
to create point O.
• Draw a 30º line from M
through O.
6
You’ve now finished
constructing the plan oblique.
• Trace the final object
leaving out the hidden lines.
• Use line weight to give the
drawing an illusion of depth.

2
 Bellevue Community College
Interior Design 160: GRAPHIC COMMUNICATION

Instructions for Drawing ANGLED BLOCK in Plan Oblique Projection

The triangle symbols show the three correct placements of your triangle on the parallel rule as you
draw this exercise. No other angles are used until the final step. Lines that are angled in
orthographic view are created in paraline views by “connecting the dots,” as in Step 4, below.

1 2
• Draw vertical lines • Draw vertical lines
from A and B. from E and F.
• Measure 4’-6” • Measure 4’-6”
from point A to find from point E to find
point C. Mark that point G. Mark that
point. point.
• Draw a 30º line • Draw a 30º line
from C to create from G to create
point D. point H.

30º

60º

K
J
3 4
• Draw a 60º line • Draw a line from L
from G to create through J.
point J. • Draw a line from M
• Draw a 60º line through K.
from H to create This creates the
point K. angled block top
• Measure 36” from • Trace the shape
point E to find leaving out the
point L. Mark that hidden lines.
point. • Use line weight to
• Draw a 60º line create depth.
from L to create
point M.

5 K
Try mirroring the angled block to
create the shape shown here. J
• Draw a 60º line from A. Note how the two angled
• Measure a distance along this shapes, though equal in
line equal to line A-E to create orthographic view, appear to
point R. be different lengths.
• Draw a vertical line from R.
• Draw a 60º line from L to This mimics the effect of
create point P. viewing the form from an
• Draw a 30º line from P. overhead view. Perspective will
• Measure a distance along this foreshorten the angle facing
line equal to line L-M to create away from the viewer.
point Q.
• Finish the angled shape by
connecting lines from P to J
and from Q to K.