How to Make a Measured Drawing

A measured drawing is essential for making a copy of a fence, garden structure, wall or bench that you've admired in a public place and want to duplicate at home. Translate your field notes into a measured drawing to show to your landscape architect or contractor.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Drafting Tables
• Pencils
• Erasers
• Graph Papers
• Pencils
• T Squares
• Rulers
• Pencils

1. Use a drafting table, T square, rolling ruler or graph paper to ensure that the lines in your drawing are straight and at right angles.

2. Select a convenient scale that will allow you to fit the whole drawing on the paper and to depict the smallest detail at a legible size.

3. Draw a baseline along the lower edge of the paper. In the center of the baseline, mark off the overall length of the item you are drawing.

4. Mark off each of the length measurements - those that you took in the field - on the baseline. Use a triangle to draw properly spaced, faint guidelines for the elements along the length of the item.

5. Draw a baseline along the side of the paper and mark off each of the height measurements that you took in the field. Use a triangle to draw faint guidelines for each of the height measurements.

6. Draw the outline of the item itself, using the guidelines that you've just set up.

7. Label each element, indicating its material and dimensions.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a harder lead to draw the measurements and a softer, darker lead to draw the item itself.
• Plan for space to write the dimensions on the drawing before actually writing them - they are the hardest parts of the drawing to fit in legibly.