Architectural Drawing Tools
Architectural drawing is a long-standing skill that remains in use in the field today. Despite the incorporation of computer technology, architects still rely on hand-held tools to plan and design buildings, bridges and roads. The tools and skills of architectural drawing are relevant in other fields as well, such as robotics and aerospace.
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Pencils and Lead Holders
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Architects go far beyond the standard #2 pencil used in classrooms. The pencil is an important tool for drafting designs, blueprints and prototypes. The hardness and softness of the lead or graphite is also important. Softer leads are better suited for lettering, while harder leads are ideal for precise layout work. Mechanical "lead holders" are another tool that spares architects from having to keep sharpening the pencil.
T-Squares and Triangles
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These serve to create clean, straight, even lines and are one of architecture's oldest drawing tools. T-squares and triangles can be used separately or in combination to create precise angles in 15-degree increments. A T-square must be kept perpendicular to a drawing edge in order to produce straight lines.
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Arc and Circle Tools
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Arcs and circles comprise another type of line used in architectural drawing. Different types of compasses, including bow compasses, friction compasses and beam compasses, are used to produce circles. The bow compass is the most commonly used of the three. Protractors can supplement arc and circle tools for drawing precise angles.
Scales
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Scales are important to architectural drawing because they help keep things in proportion. Different scales are suited to different branches of architecture. Scales are denoted in both the metric system and the U.S. system, although the millimeter is the standard of measurement on architect scales.
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References
Resources
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