Graded point

7 min

One view and a number beside it – the third dimension is written, not drawn.

Not Started
The elevation drawing (π₁)
P₀A(1)B(4)C(2)
In space – what those numbers mean
π₁ABC

Graded points

A· defines the line
B· defines the line
C· plane only

The height IS the third dimension. It is not drawn – it is written beside the point.

The line AB

Plan length d
6.04
Rise Δh
3.00
Interval i
2.01
Slope s
0.50
Slope in %
49.7%
Slope angle
26.41°
True length
6.75
i × s = 1.00
Interval and slope are reciprocals. A bigger interval means a GENTLER line, not a steeper one.

The plane ABC

Plane interval
1.79
Slope
0.56
Slope angle
29.14°

A plane’s contours are parallel and evenly spaced – their spacing IS the plane’s interval. Raise one point’s height and watch them close up.

Show

Spatial view

2

Theory

Elevation projection has a single image plane – the horizontal π₁. A point is projected onto it and its height is simply written next to the view as a number, the kóta. Hence the notation A(3): at the position A₁ there is a point 3 units above the image plane.

This is not a simplification but a complete description: the pair (plan position, height) fixes a point in space just as uniquely as a pair of views does in Monge projection. The third dimension is carried by a number instead of a second picture.

That is why it is the projection of maps, terrain and earthworks. A contour map IS an elevation drawing: each line is the set of points sharing one height. A negative height means a point below the image plane – the floor of an excavation, say.

3

Step-by-step construction

3D – what happens in space
π
Drawing – the graded plan
1 / 6
4

Practice

Build the construction yourself

3D – what you have
π
Your drawing

What is the next step?

1 / 5

Choose the step that comes next. The drawing only advances on a correct choice.

Check your understanding

1

How many image planes does elevation projection use?

2

What does the notation A(3) mean?

3

What does a negative height mean?

5

Downloadable material

A PDF for this lesson is in preparation.

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