SCNC19-52S-Drawing-Standards_EN - Appendix 1 - Industry Drafting Standards

Oct 28, 2026

Upload by Stanley

Appendix 1 describes industry drafting standards used in architectural drawings, focusing on line-weights, line types, hatch conventions, and overall drawing styles. It explains how standardized line hierarchy improves interpretation and depth, then provides a reference table mapping annotation, symbols, dimensions, hidden lines, grid lines, hatches, and heavy/medium/thin lines to color, weight, and type. The appendix also defines common line categories (object, dimension, hidden, centerline, cutting plane, break, fixture, leader, section, and borderlines) and sets guidance for lettering legibility and material hatches. It concludes with a comparison of presentation vs working drawings and their typical information levels.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryTechnology

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time10 min

AccessFree to download

Industry Drafting Standards

Line-weights and Line Types

Types of Lines

Material Hatches

Presentation vs Working Drawings

APPENDIX 1: INDUSTRY DRAFTING STANDARDS The following are examples of line-weights, line types, hatches, and drawing styles that are used in the industry. Line-weights and Line Types: Architectural line-weights and types are standardized to provide for consistent interpretation of architectural drawings. Line-weights indicate importance and hierarchy on drawings, and provide depth to drawings making them easier to understand. | | COLOUR | LINE-WEIGHT | LINE-TYPE | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | ANNOTATION | red | 0.25 | continuous | | SYMBOLS, BREAK LINES, TITLEBLOCK | cyan | 0.35 | continuous | | DIMENSIONS | Blue | 0.25 | Continuous | | HIDDEN LINES | Blue | 0.25 | Hidden | | GRID LINES | Cyan | 0.35 | Centre line | | MATERIAL HATCHES | grey | 252 or 8 | Continuous | | HEAVY LINE | yellow | .50 | Continuous | | MEDIUM LINE | Green | 0.35 | Continuous | | THIN LINE | Red | 0.25 | Continuous | | SHADING | 252 | 252 | Continuous | | FURNITURE, APPLIANCES, EQUIPMENT | grey | 8 | Continuous | The following is a list of types of lines. 1. Object lines (visible lines) are used to show the main outline of the building, including exterior walls, interior partitions, porches, patios, driveways, and walls. These lines should be drawn wide to stand out on the drawing. 2. Dimension lines are thin unbroken lines upon which building dimensions are placed. 3. Hidden lines are used to show areas that are not visible on the surface. Hidden lines are also used on floor plans to show objects above the floor section, such as wall cabinets, arches, and beams. Hidden lines are drawn thin. 4. Centerlines denote the centers of symmetrical objects such as exterior doors and windows. These lines are usually necessary for dimensioning purposes. Centerlines are drawn thin. 5. Cutting Plane lines are very wide lines used to denote an area to be sectioned. In this case, the only part of the cutting-plane line drawn is the extreme ends of the line. 6. Break lines are used when an area cannot or should not be drawn entirely. A ruled line with freehand breaks is used fro long, straight breaks. The long break line is thin. A wavy, uneven freehand line is used for smaller, irregular breaks. The short break line is wide. 7. Fixture lines outline the shape of kitchen, laundry, bathroom fixtures, built-in furniture and landscape symbols or blocks. These lines are thin to eliminate confusion with object lines. 8. Leaders are used to connect a note or dimension to a symbol or to part of the building. They are drawn thin and sometimes are curved to eliminate confusion with other lines. 9. Section lines are used to indicate the cut surface in sectional drawings. A different symbol pattern is used for each building material. The section lining patterns are drawn thin. 10. Borderlines are the heaviest lines used on a drawing and are often preprinted with the title block. Borderlines define the active area of a drawing sheet. 11. Lettering, labels, notes, dimensions, and descriptions must be legible on architectural drawings if they are to be an effective means of graphic communications. Material Hatches Material hatches will differ between presentation and working drawings. Hatches are extremely important as they differentiate materials when viewing a drawing in 2D. At a minimum, hatches should be shown for batt insulation, plywood, OSB, solid wood, concrete, gravel, and earth. On presentation style drawings hatches indicate finish materials types, like flooring in plans, or siding, stucco, stone, etc. in elevation. Presentation Drawings VS. Working Drawings: Architectural drafting styles differ depending on the use of the drawing. Presentation style drawings are created to convey a message to a client or member of the public who may not require all the information of a technical drawing. The drawings feature strong simple lines for the built structure and lighter lines and hatches to indicate furniture, landscaping, finishes

FAQs

How do line-weights and line types help architectural drawings?

Line-weights indicate importance and hierarchy, creating visual depth and consistent interpretation across drawings. Standard line types also improve clarity when reading different drawing elements.

What is the difference between presentation drawings and working drawings?

Presentation drawings use strong simple lines and lighter lines/hatches for non-structural elements, typically with minimal annotation and often no detailed dimensions. Working drawings include detailed grids, dimensions, symbols, hatches, and annotation to guide contractors and trades.

What guidance is given for material hatches and where should they be used?

Hatches differentiate materials in 2D and should be shown at minimum for batt insulation, plywood, OSB, solid wood, concrete, gravel, and earth. Presentation hatches indicate finish material types such as flooring in plans and siding, stucco, or stone on elevations.

Oct 28, 2026

Upload by Stanley