What makes a great Technical drawing?

[Pablo Ferral]

This is a question that comes up frequently. I'm sure that you all have your own opinion - based on your industry and your companies needs.


I'm interested in hearing your views. Is accuracy important? Or is it a given that all drawings should be correct? Should drawings be done to a standard? Is it more important that your drawing are done on time, or within the budgeted hours? Does the CAD part of the job matter? If the information you need to communicate is on the page - that's good enough right?

I'm interested to hear what you have to say.

[ReMark]

Accurarcy is paramount.

Standards are very important especially in a group environment. All drawings should look like they came from the same company.

Drawings should be done on time and within budget not withstanding special circumstances.

Of course the CAD part of the job matters. If no allowance is made for it then how does a company come up with an accurate estimate of job costs?

If the information I need to communicate is on the page it better be accurate and in the proper relationship to the rest of the drawing. It should also be clear and concise.

[StykFacE]

"You can never put too much information on the drawings."

That always stood out for me. As long as it's accurate like Mark said, then organized well, you have yourself a pot of gold in a set of drawings. Things like this is simply learned with time and experience.

[BIGAL]

Like Stykface organized well you must be able to read it not have stuff all over the place, clarity in order of importance.

[Dadgad]

I tend to go with LESS IS MORE, meaning dead-on accuracy, but trying to minimize dimensional redundancy, in the interests of visual clarity.
I like to space dimensions as comfortably as possible, and really think about how everything fits on the page.
I like to include a bonus 3D perspective, sometimes two if an assembly warrants it, on a sheet, space permitting, to help give recipients a little eye candy overview.

[RobDraw]

My first job was at an inground pool company and my boss said a couple of things that have stuck with me throughout the years. "The more white the better." which is another way of saying less is more. Don't try to crowd everything on one sheet. It makes it hard to read. The other is "Assume the person reading your drawing is an idiot." (It was his employees reading the plans.) Again, too much information could lead to confusion. But assuming that someone could figure something out is just as bad. The information must clear enough to build whatever is that needs to be built exactly as planned.

A well organized, simple drawing that is easy to read is much better than one that is crammed with information even if the information is relevant.

[ReMark]

"Assume the person reading your drawing is an idiot." I love it.

[Tiger]

I agree with all of the above, and will just add one thing: Know who you are doing the drawing for.

If it's for the building owner that could very well be a hairdresser for instance, then know what information is important for that person and don't clutter the drawing with information that might be accurate and important - but perhaps not for that individual.

If it's for the construction crew, learn what measurements he needs for construction, not what measurements you find easiest to place. Mr Tiger had a flaming row with a drafter over dimensioning a simple half-tapered hole . The drafter had set the angle of the taper and the diameters, Mr Tiger wanted the dimensions for the depth of the taper. The drafter couldn't see why Mr Tiger just couldn't calculate the dimension he needed on his own.

When I was new in this job I was out on site and met with the construction crew. After a bit he pulled out the drawing I had done, an A3 (I send them out in A1, double size of an A3) and measured with a foot-rule - i.e. a very un-precise but very handy measuring tool. I realised that for me to do the drawings with millimeter-precision was wasted in this particular business.

[Dadgad]

The information must clear enough to build whatever is that needs to be built exactly as planned.

A well organized, simple drawing that is easy to read is much better than one that is crammed with information even if the information is relevant.

Very succinctly stated.
and it always helps to remember with whom you might inadvertently be dealing.
Our fabricators are very good, but those 3D perspective views are a nice additional bit of insurance,
especially on a complex piece.

[Pablo Ferral]

Lots of great stuff here - thanks for participating

Tiger's comment:
'Know who you are doing the drawing for'

Is particularly insightful...