Read a drawing (in Russian)
Where to start with someone else's sheet: the title block, the scale, the front view, line types and dimensions.
technical drawing and design from scratch: a self-study reference
Engineer Constructor: technical drawing and design from scratch
A drawing is the shared language of the people who invent things and the people who make them. You can learn it on your own: all you need is a pencil, a ruler, paper and a clear order of study. This reference covers the basics of engineering graphics and design in plain words, from your first straight line on a sheet to a student project you would be happy to show your instructor.
A good drawing answers the maker's questions before they have had a chance to ask them.
Four ways into technical drawing
Make a sketch
How to capture an object's shape and size freehand so that someone could make the part from your sketch.
From idea to object
Design brief, sketch, rough estimate, mock-up and prototype, and the point at which you really need an engineer.
Student projects (in Russian)
How coursework and final projects are organised, what parts they consist of, and why you should never buy one.
Reference sections
- Lessons
Six core lessons: lines and lettering, views, sections, dimensions, sheet sizes and scales, and the assembly drawing.
- Topics
Freehand sketching, 3D models, machine parts, woodworking, mock-ups and prototypes, house projects. The article catalogue is here too.
- Practice
Exercises to do at home: three views of a mug, a dimensioned sketch of a shelf, and a review of common mistakes.
- Resources
Textbooks, the Russian ESKD standards, clubs, workshops and software: what helps a self-learner and how to choose.
- Methods
How a sketch differs from a drawing and a 3D model, how to read a view of a part, what ESKD is, and which myths get in the way of learning.
- Terms
Short definitions: views and representations, dimensions and accuracy, design documentation.
- Questions
Answers about this reference, about technical drawing, and about how student projects and final projects are organised.
Your first week of drawing in five steps
Lines and lettering
Spend two or three evenings warming up: draw rows of thick and thin, dashed and chain lines, then write a few lines in drafting lettering. Your hand needs to get used to keeping an even pressure.
Three views of a simple part
Take a block with a notch or a wooden cube with a hole. Draw it from the front, the top and the left so that the views are aligned in projection and do not contradict each other.
Dimensions
Measure the part and add dimensions in millimetres without writing the unit. Make sure each dimension appears only once on the sheet and can be read without tilting your head sideways.
Sketch something on your desk
Pick an object close at hand: a pencil sharpener, a clip, a jar lid. Sketch it freehand with views and dimensions, as if it were going to a workshop and you would never see the object again.
Review your work
A day later, go back to your sheets and look at them with a stranger's eyes. Could someone make the part from them? What would they have to guess? Write down three fixes and apply them next week.
In short
Is this a forum?
No. Engineer Constructor is an independent reference, not a discussion site. There are no accounts, threads or posts here, and we are not connected to the forum that used to run on this domain.
Do you sell drawings or projects?
No. We do not sell or give away ready-made projects, drawings or calculations. Our goal is to explain how such documents work so that you can read and produce them yourself.
Which drawing software should I choose?
We do not recommend brands. Use criteria instead: does the software support the drawing standard you need to follow, what is used at your school or college, are there clear learning materials, and can you get started without a large outlay?
Can you help with my final-year project?
No, we do not write or check work for students. What we do explain is the stages a final project goes through and how to plan your time so you are ready for the defence.
About the project
Engineer Constructor is an independent reference for people learning engineering graphics and design on their own: school pupils, first-year students, home DIYers and anyone curious about how an object turns from an idea into a sheet with dimensions. We draw on the Russian ESKD standards and drafting textbooks, write without jargon, and do not name software or brands.
This domain used to host a forum for engineers and DIY builders, which was later overrun by spam. The current reference is not connected to that forum and does not restore or continue its content; all that remains of the old site is the name, which matches the domain.
See also
- Lessons
Six core lessons: lines and lettering, views, sections, dimensions, sheet sizes and scales, and the assembly drawing.
- Practice
Exercises to do at home: three views of a mug, a dimensioned sketch of a shelf, and a review of common mistakes.
- Reading drawings (in Russian)
A note at an archived address: six steps to read an unfamiliar drawing, plus a table of the main line types.
Sources
- GOST 2.301-68, GOST 2.302-68, GOST 2.303-68, GOST 2.307 (Russian ESKD standards)
- Engineering graphics and technical drawing textbooks
Drawing rules here follow the Russian ESKD standards listed in the sources; everything else is described in general terms based on engineering graphics textbooks. Other countries use their own drawing standards, and ISO standards are widely used internationally. Standards are revised from time to time, so check the current edition and your instructor's requirements before handing in work.