The size of a planned building, the materials to be used in its construction, and the placement of its features are shown in blueprints.Learning to read blueprints is important not only for construction workers but for architects as well.
Step 1: The title block should be read by you.
These can be found at the beginning of any blueprints.If you are involved in construction work, you need to read it thoroughly.The name, number, location, and vendor are listed in the title block's first section.This information will be listed if the drawing is part of a series.The section is mostly used for filing and organizational purposes.There is bureaucratic information in the second section.There are approval dates and signatures here.This information can be useful if you want to know more about the plan.The list of references is in section three of the title block.All blueprints that were used as reference/inspiration are listed as well as all other drawings related to the building/system/component.If you want to begin your own blueprints, this section can be very helpful.
Step 2: The revision block is a good read.
The drawing has to be redrafted when there are changes to a building.The changes are listed here.
Step 3: There are notes and legends to read.
In addition to the standard scale, grid, and lines, blueprints are often comprised of other symbols and numbers.To fully comprehend the specific blueprints you're working with, you need to learn the symbols through the legend.The information in the notes will help the designer understand the drawing.It's important to read the notes for projects that begin construction."Do not begin working until 8am" is a possible practical information.
Step 4: The view needs to be determined.
There are three common perspectives with 2D blueprints.Understanding which one of these is being used is the first step to reading a drawing.A bird's eye view of planned work.This is usually done on a horizontal plane.This perspective makes it possible to map width and length.There is a view of planned work from the side.The drawings are usually from the north, east, west, or south.Detailed planning of height dimensions can be done with an elevation map.Section is a view of something that has been cut through.This perspective is used to show the inner workings of how something will be built.
Step 5: You have to establish the scale in your mind.
Houses, underground piping, and power line are some of the representations scaled down in blueprints.Proper construction can only be ensured by using precise measurements.The scale sets a rule for the entire drawing, saying what measurements on the drawing are the same as in real life.One eighth inch equals one foot.Architectural scales are used to build doors, windows, and walls.One-fourth inch, one-eighth inch and 1' are presented in fractions.Civil scales are used for public water systems, roads and highways.They use whole-integer ratios like 1 for 10' or 50 for 50'.Scales can be found on blueprints.Scales in the US are 1/32" and 1/312".
Step 6: The grid system should be inspected.
Along the horizontal and vertical edges of a blueprint, drawers often fix a simple grid system with numbers on one axis and letters on the other.Anyone reading the plans can reference the location of a point or object in the drawing.The door frame is centered at point C7.If you can't point to the location in the drawings with a team or partner, grid systems are very useful.If the other person isn't in the room with you, this could be the case.
Step 7: Search for any doors and windows.
There are larger gaps between walls on blueprints.A mock door will be extended in or out of the door frame.This shows which way the door will swing.Windows can be identified by the end of an object line.The door and window schedule should be included in the blueprints.This will show the style, size, and material of the door.
Step 8: Do you know any of the appliances?
Simple representations of fridges, toilets, sinks, ovens, stove-tops burners, and the like are readily recognizable.If they are located in an area where you want them, take the time to think about it.It may seem like their placement is more important than the establishing walls, but they can play a bigger role in deciding on design specifications.The finish schedule should be included.This will show you the style or model of the appliance.
Step 9: Looking over the lines.
When taken in all at once, lines are the language of blueprints.The primary characteristic of planned drawings is the lines, which represent walls, door frames, and appliance exteriors.Depending on their thickness, lines have different schematic significance.The basic lines are as follows: Object Line Hidden Line Center Line Extension and Dimension Line Cutting Plane Lines Section Line Break Lines Phantom Line.
Step 10: All the object lines are identified.
There are object lines on a blueprints.They show what the sides of an object look like.The only lines visible are the ones in the cube.They became the reference point to compare the weight and composition of all other lines because they are thicker than all others.
Step 11: The hidden lines need to be identified.
Surfaces that would not be visible to the eye are revealed by hidden lines.They are drawn at half the weight of the object lines.Sometimes the invisible lines are represented in the same way as the cube drawing.One rule of hidden lines is to always start with the line that is their starting point.The exception is when the first dash appears to be a continuation of a solid line.
Step 12: Look at the lines.
You can see the distance between two locations in a drawing.The space between wiring in an electrical outlet and the walls of a house.They are drawn with solid lines and arrowheads.The center point of the line is broken.3.5, 1.8, etc.Correct spacing and a more 3D space can be achieved with the help of Dimension lines.
Step 13: All center lines should be found.
The central axis of an object or part is established by center lines.These are usually with plans for curved or circular objects.They are drawn with alternating long and short dashes.There are long and short dashes at points of intersection.invisible lines are drawn with the same weight as center lines.
Step 14: The phantom lines can be found.
Phantom lines show different positions of an object.Think of a switch in the off position.The on position could be represented by phantom lines.On blueprints, they are drawn with one long and two short dashes, with another long dash on the end.Any detail that needs to be repeated or the location of absent parts can be seen in the phantom lines.
Step 15: Look for extension lines.
Extension lines are used to define the physical limit.They can be placed inside or outside of the dimensions being defined.They don't actually touch the object lines.Extension lines allow for more definite end and beginning points since they don't overlap and there is no room on the paper.The invisible lines are drawn with the same weight.
Step 16: The leaders can be found.
Solid lines ending in an arrowhead are known as leaders lines and indicate any part or area of a drawing that is associated with a number, letter, note, or other reference.A lot of furniture that doesn't come pre-assembled is a reference to remember leader lines.Lead lines are used to define parts in the instruction manual.Put slot A into hole B.
Step 17: The break lines can be read.
Break lines are used to reveal what is underneath when a part is removed.When a long section of a drawing have the same structure, they are often used to reduce the drawing size and save paper.Short break lines look like a sin wave.There are long break lines with zig-zags.
Step 18: Books about blueprints.
There are a number of general and trade-specific books on reading blueprints, some of which are published by hardware and tool-manufacturing companies and others by government agencies, such as the United States Army.Hard-copy and e-book versions of these books are available.If you're interested in architectural drawings, you should specify that in your searches.In addition to many other fields, it's possible to find blueprints for maritime, civil, and engineering work.
Step 19: You can watch videos.
There are both DVD and Internet videos to choose from.People with practical experience in construction and architecture have uploaded many of the video tutorials on popular viral streaming sites.Some are presented by other people.Use discretion when learning online.You can find more formal academic sources online.Youtube learning is a good place to start in your self-education because they can provide a more basic and grounding understanding before you move into denser, more complex academic sources.
Step 20: Students can take classes in reading blueprints.
Local trade schools and community colleges offer blueprints-reading classes.Universities teach many of the classes available online, but you can also learn from less expensive, specialized companies that only teach blueprints.You should consider your budget when making a decision.You will benefit from going to a community college, trade school, or University class if you are learning online.Bring in your work for review and receive consultation with an experienced teacher.
Step 21: You can read blueprints online.
The Internet has a number of sites with information on reading blueprints, as well as providing access to classes and instructional videos.Although you won't receive a formal certification, all the resources you need to learn complex blueprint reading are available online.If you want to understand the language of architecture, you need to read papers published by universities and experienced specialists.If you want to balance this, read and watch the materials produced by people who have self-taught.They can potentially be presenting incorrect information, but they can also learn from their mistakes.