Plans + Elevations

A plan and an elevation are two different types of drawings that are used to represent a three-dimensional object in a two-dimensional format. In this tutorial, we will cover the basics of plans and elevations, including what they are, how they are used, and how to read them.

Step 1: Understand the difference between a plan and an elevation A plan is a top-down view of an object, while an elevation is a side view of an object. A plan shows the layout of an object and its features, while an elevation shows the height and shape of an object.

Step 2: Learn how to read a plan A plan is a two-dimensional drawing that shows the layout of an object. It can be used to show the layout of a building, a room, or a piece of furniture. To read a plan, you need to understand the symbols and conventions that are used. The most common symbols used in plans include walls, doors, windows, and furniture.

Step 3: Learn how to read an elevation An elevation is a two-dimensional drawing that shows the height and shape of an object. It can be used to show the front, side, or back of a building, a room, or a piece of furniture. To read an elevation, you need to understand the symbols and conventions that are used. The most common symbols used in elevations include walls, doors, windows, and furniture.

Step 4: Understand the importance of scale Both plans and elevations are drawn to scale, meaning that the dimensions of the object in the drawing are proportionally smaller than the actual dimensions of the object. It’s important to understand the scale of a drawing so that you can accurately measure and interpret the dimensions.

Step 5: Practice reading and interpreting plans and elevations The best way to improve your ability to read and interpret plans and elevations is to practice. Look at different examples of plans and elevations, and try to understand the layout, height and shape of the objects represented.

Examples:

1. A plan of a room shows the layout of the room, including the placement of the walls, doors, windows, and furniture. The plan allows you to see how the different elements of the room are arranged and how they relate to one another.
2. An elevation of a building shows the height and shape of the building. It can be used to show the front, side, or back of the building. The elevation allows you to see how the building looks from different angles and how it relates to its surroundings.

In conclusion, plans and elevations are two different types of drawings that are used to represent a three-dimensional object in a two-dimensional format. A plan is a top-down view of an object and an elevation is a side view of an object. Both plans and elevations are drawn to scale and it’s important to understand the symbols, conventions and scale when reading them. With practice, you will become more proficient in reading and interpreting plans and elevations and it will be easier to understand complex architectural, engineering or construction projects.