Engineering drawing
An engineering drawing is a type of technical drawing used to define the requirements for engineering products or components. Typically, the purpose of an engineering drawing is to clearly and accurately capture all geometric features of a product or component so that a manufacturer or engineer can produce the required item. It may also describe the process of making the item, may be used to convey engineering ideas during the design process, or may provide a record of an existing item.
Rather than being an illustration, an engineering drawing is intended to describe the size and shape of an item and may provide information regarding acceptable variations, load limits, materials and any other information that can help give a complete understanding of an item.
Drawings can be created in Oblique and Isometric as well as 1st and 3rd projection.
It is usual for engineering drawings to include a series of projections showing different angles of the item, as well as sections, ‘exploded’ views and so on. Projections may create two dimensional or three dimensional representations of the item. See Projections for more information.
Increasingly, engineering drawings are prepared using computers that can also create files used to instruct machines how to manufacture the item. See computer aided design, computer aided manufacture and building information modelling for more information.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles
Check out some of the best features and news from Designing Buildings as well as key stories from around the web.
World's first mass timber data centre.
The overlooked environmental aspect of data centre development.
Introduction to radon awareness
New technical information sheet published by CIOB.
Updated supplier guide can help electrical contractors engage with NHP.
CIAT confirm the winners of the 2026 architectural technology awards.
Government launches a one stop shop for flood preparedness.
Sir Edwin Lutyens: Britain's greatest architect? Book review.
CIOB publishes free template to help assess and manage risks.
ECA's reflections on Party Conference season
Burnham wants to be confident of winning before asking for a fresh mandate.
New Chief Construction and Scientific Adviser
Sergio Cavalaro, Professor of Infrastructure Systems at Loughborough University.
Building safety levy for England
CIAT publish estimator tool for members.
Water sector faces a growing crisis that could slow the delivery of vital infrastructure.
Undervaluing our industrial past
Heritage value changes as taste for building styles changes.

















Comments