Alphabet of Lines

By:JVL
Alphabet of Lines
• Lines are the critical
component of sketching.
• Lines have different types,
thickness and shape has
its own meaning .
• Alphabet of Lines are also
known as “Line symbols”
 Alphabet of Lines
Phantom Line
Construction Line
Hidden Line Center Line

Leader Line Object Line

Break Line

Section Line

Cutting Plane Line

Extension Line
Guideline
Dimension Line
 OBJECT OR VISIBLE LINE
• Thick, dark line
used to show the
outline of the object.
Define features you
can see in a
particular view
 CONSTRUCTION LINE
• Lines that are
very light and
very thin use to
construct layout
work
 DIMENSION LINE
• Thin and dark lines
use to show the size
(span) of an object
with a numeric value.
• Usually terminates
with arrowheads or
tick markings.
 HIDDEN LINE
• Short dash lines use
to show non visible
surfaces that are not
visible in orthographic
view.
• Usually shows as
medium thickness.
 CENTER LINE
• Long and shot dash
lines.
• Usually indicates Center Line

center of holes,
circles and arcs.
• Line is thin and
dark.
 EXTENSION LINE
• A light line that
extends from the edge
or end of a main object
line on a drawing,
used in conjunction
with dimension lines to Extension Lines
help determine
the dimension of a
particular feature.
 CUTTING PLANE LINE
• Extra thick line use
to show cutaway
views or plane of
projection where a
section view is
taken.
• Arrow indicates
direction of view.
 LEADER LINE
• A thin line used to
connect a
dimension line with
a particular area or
point on the
drawing.
• It is also use to
show notes or
labels.
 PHANTOM LINE
• Long line
followed by two
short dashes use
to show alternate
position of a
moving part.
Break Lines

SHORT BREAK LINE

LONG BREAK LINE

 SHORT-BREAK LINE
• Thick wavy line that is
used to break the
edge of a surface of a
part for clarity on a
hidden surface
 LONG-BREAK LINE
• Long, thin lines that is
used to show that the
middle section of an
object has been
removed so it can be
drawn on a smaller
piece of paper
 Section (Crosshatch) Lines
• Section lines or
crosshatch lines are
used to show that a
feature is
sectioned.
• May represent
different types of
material.
 Guidelines
• Guidelines are used
in hand lettering to
keep lettering
straight.
• Very light lines.
• Drawn in pencil
only.
 References:
• Palero, Juan Miguel(2016). Alphabet of Lines. Retrieved Sept. 09,
2018 from https://www.slideshare.net/jmpalero/tle-9-technical-
drafting-alphabet-of-lines
• Grant, Marvin (2016). Line Conventions Introduction to
Engineering Design. Retrieved Sept. 09, 2018 from
https://slideplayer.com/slide/8987700/
• Kicklighter, Clois E. Architectural Alphabet of Lines. PowerPoint
Presentation. The Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Tinley Park, Illinois