Isometric drawing: a designer's guide (2024)

Isometric drawing: a designer's guide (1)

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  • Isometric drawing vs one-point perspective
  • How to draw an isometric cube
  • How to create an isometric grid
  • Isometric drawing examples

Wondering how to do Isometric drawing? Sometimes called isometric projection, this type of 2D drawing is used to draw 3D objects using 30-degree angles. It's also a type of axonometric drawing, meaning that the same scale is used for every axis, resulting in a non-distorted image. Since isometric grids are pretty easy to set up, once you understand the basics of isometric drawing, creating a freehand isometric sketch is relatively simple.

Below we explain what isometric drawing is and how to make isometric drawings of your own, starting by making an isometric cube. We'll also look at how isometric drawing differs from one-point perspective, and what it's use for, with some example illustrations. If you want to work digitally and need to upgrade your setup, make sure you see our pick of the best drawing tablets.

What is isometric drawing?

Isometric drawing: a designer's guide (2)

An isometric drawing is a 3D representation of an object, room, building or design on a 2D surface. One of the defining characteristics of an isometric drawing, compared to other types of 3D representation, is that the final image is not distorted and is always to scale. This is due to the fact that the foreshortening of the axes is equal (the word isometric comes from Greek to mean 'equal measure')

Isometric drawings are a good way to show measurements and how components fit together, and is used in technical drawing, often by engineers and architects. They differ from other types of axonometric drawing, including dimetric and trimetric projections, in which different scales are used for different axes to give a distorted final image.

In an isometric drawing, the object appears as if it is being viewed from above from one corner, with the axes set out from this corner point. Isometric drawings begin with one vertical line along which two points are defined. Any lines set out from these points should be constructed at an angle of 30 degrees.

Isometric drawing vs one-point perspective

Both isometric drawings and one-point perspective drawings use geometry and mathematics to present 3D representations on 2D surfaces. One-point perspective drawings mimic the human eye, so objects appear smaller the further away they are from the viewer. In contrast, isometric drawings use parallel projection, which means objects remain at the same size, no matter how far away they are.

Isometric drawing: a designer's guide (3)

Basically, isometric drawing doesn’t use perspective in its rendering (i.e. lines don’t converge as they move away from the viewer). Isometric drawings are more useful for functional drawings that are used to explain how something works, while one-point perspective drawings are typically used to give a more sensory idea of an object or space.

The limitation of isometric drawings compared to 3D models is that you can't change your vantage point, you have to see the drawing from the top viewpoint.

How to draw an isometric cube

Isometric drawing: a designer's guide (4)

The most common isometric drawing is that of a cube, and drawing a cube using isometric projection is very easy. You will need a piece of paper, ruler, pencil and protractor (or for the shortcut version, using gridded paper, jump to the next section).

Using the ruler, draw a vertical line on the page, and mark three equally spaced points along it. Draw a horizontal line through the lowest point, and using the protractor, mark out a 30 degree angle up from the line on either side. Draw a line back through the lowest point from the 30 degree angle on each side.

Repeat this step through the middle point and the same through the top point, but with the top point, mark out the angle downwards. The lines from the second and third point will cross at a certain point, and from this intersection, draw a vertical line down towards the angled lines coming from the bottom point. You should be able to see the form of the cube where all of the lines intersect.

How to create an isometric grid

For all the cheats out there who don’t have the tools (or inclination) to create an isometric projection, there is a foolproof way to bash out your axonometric drawing: simply use an isometric grid. The pattern can be downloaded online, and will save you lots of time and effort, or you can have a play with the grid using this isometric drawing tool. Alternatively, learn how to set up your own grid in Illustrator or Photoshop by following the video tutorial below.

How to Create an Isometric Grid in Less Than 2 Minutes! - YouTubeIsometric drawing: a designer's guide (5)

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Once your eyes become accustomed to the trickery of the triangular pattern, you will immediately notice how the isometric works. The super handy thing about the grid is that it already has all of the 30 degree angles set up for you.This tutorial walks you through how to draw a cube using an isometric grid.

Why do designers do isometric drawings?

One of the main advantages of isometric view is thatit gives a realistic and balanced impression of the object, without any perspective or distortion. It also allows you to see all three faces of the object at the same time, which can be useful for showing complex shapes or details.

What are isometric drawings used for?

Isometric drawings are used by architects, industrial and interior designers and engineers to visualise, rooms, products, and infrastructure. They're a great way to quickly test out different design ideas.They also illustrate the 3D nature of an object, without being drawn in 3D software, and measurements can be made to scale along the principal axes.

Exploded isometric drawings areuseful for revealing parts of a product that might be hidden or internal. They're used by architects, engineers and product designers the world over to better explain the intricacies of a design. To create an exploded isometric, you need to know the detailed inner workings of whatever you are drawing, so they're are usually used at the final design stage for presentations to clients.

There are a number of other situations in which isometric projection is useful. In wayfinding systems, for example in museums or galleries, isometric wall maps can show visitors where they are in the building, what is going on elsewhere, and how to get to get around.

Some of the best infographics use isometric projection to enable them to show more information than would be possible in a 2D drawing. Some of the best logos also use this approach to create impact.

What's the difference between isometric projection and oblique projection?

Isometric drawings and oblique projections are both techniques that are used by engineers in technical drawings and illustrations, but there's a difference in the angle used.

An oblique projection puts more focus on the front side of an object, the face. They're made usingoblique grid paperan 45-degree lines. As such, it's not possible to see the front of an object straight on and the side at the same time, but oblique projections can be useful for quick sketches or to show the front and side of an object. Isometric drawing focuses on the edge of an object and uses 30 degrees angles.

Isometric drawing examples

Isometric drawing: a designer's guide (6)

Illustrator and art director Maucocreated this isometric map to represent the areas surrounding the SPECTRUM building in London. It shows just the main roads and landmarks to help people orientate themselves.

Isometric drawing: a designer's guide (7)

Jing Zhang is an illustrator working mainly with clients in the advertising industry. She's built a particular reputation for her detailed exploded isometric designs, including this creation for Slack. It's part of a series to accompany the brand's stories, focusing on elements such as a happy mobile workforce (above).

This design was created for an article in the The California Sunday Magazine, entitled The Tech Revolt and exploring political activism in the tech industry. In it, illustrator Tim Peacock uses isometric projection as a way of revealing the inner workings of a Silicon Valley office block.

Isometric drawing: a designer's guide (9)

MC Escher was perhaps the king of using isometric projections in his artworks. His use of parallel geometries to depict mind-bending staircases that go nowhere will be familiar to most. In Cycle (1938), shown above, is it clear how isometric projection comes into his work, from the pattern on the ground to the use of cubes that turn into steps.

For more drawing techniques, see our pick of the best drawing tutorials.

Isometric drawing: a designer's guide (10)

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Sorcha O'Higgins

Sorcha O'Higgins is a collage artist and freelance writer. With a background in architecture and urban art, she works mostly with existing analogue material to create both abstract and figurative work. Her collages use bold colours, patterns and contrasting elements to create playful, direct and sometimes brazen images.

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Isometric drawing: a designer's guide (2024)

FAQs

What are the 3 main rules in isometric drawing? ›

There are three main rules to isometric drawing:
  • horizontal. edges are drawn at 30 degrees.
  • vertical. edges are drawn as vertical lines.
  • parallel. Parallel lines never meet, no matter how far they are extended. edges appear as parallel lines.

What are 2 things you should know about isometric sketches? ›

Rules for Isometric Sketching

In the isometric drawing, the vertical lines will stay vertically, whereas the horizontal lines are drawn at an angle of 30-degree to the horizontal plane. The angle between all the three axes of the coordinate plane must be equal to 120 degrees.

What is the perfect way to do an isometric drawing? ›

In an isometric drawing, the object appears as if viewed from above from one corner, with the axes being set out from a corner point. Isometric drawings begin with one vertical line along which two points are defined. Any lines set out from these points should be constructed at an angle of 30 degrees.

Why do designers use isometric drawings? ›

Isometric art is a drawing or illustration style that makes two-dimensional figures appear three dimensional. From the Greek for “equal measure,” isometric images can illustrate interiors, exteriors, objects, or logos with height, width, and depth to create the illusion of a 3D perspective.

What is the 30 degree angle for isometric drawing? ›

Isometric drawings are drawn using a 30-degree angle from the vertical axes. The idea behind creating the drawing on a 30-degree angle is so there will be no vanishing lines. Other three-dimensional drawings use perspective.

What is the most common method used in drawing isometric? ›

Isometric Axes: In an isometric drawing for an isometric architecture, two horizontal (X and Y) and one vertical (Z) axis are used as mutually perpendicular axes. Typically, the X and Y axes are positioned 30 degrees apart from the horizontal plane.

What is another name for an isometric drawing? ›

An isometric drawing is also known as a 3-view drawing. This is because it shows three different views of the object, including the front view, top view, and side view. The term "isometric" comes from the Greek word "iso," meaning equal, and "metric," meaning measure.

Is isometric drawing 2D or 3D? ›

An isometric drawing is a pictorial representation of an object in which all three dimensions are drawn at full scale. It is a type of 3D drawing that uses a 3D representation, but the angles between the axes are always 120 degrees and the proportions are maintained, giving the illusion of depth and space.

Is isometric drawing easy? ›

Since isometric grids are pretty easy to set up, once you understand the basics of isometric drawing, creating a freehand isometric sketch is relatively simple.

What is the command for isometric drawing? ›

Drawing an Isometric Model

Use the Line or Pline command and draw the right side of the cube with the required dimensions. To draw the left portion of the plate, set the drawing environment to (isoplane Left). This changes the cursor and the grid orientation to 30 degrees on the left side.

Is isometric drawing realistic? ›

One of the main advantages of isometric view is that it gives a realistic and balanced impression of the object, without any perspective or distortion. It also allows you to see all three faces of the object at the same time, which can be useful for showing complex shapes or details.

How many axes do you use to draw an isometric? ›

An isometric view is a two-dimensional representation of a three-dimensional object, aligned to three axes. Lines on the drawing that are parallel to one of the axes are always drawn exactly to measurement or scale.

What are the principles of isometric drawing? ›

These principles include: 1. Equal Foreshortening: In isometric projection, all three dimensions (length, width, and height) are equally foreshortened, resulting in a 120-degree angle between each pair of axes. This ensures that no single dimension is exaggerated or compressed, making the drawing easier to understand.

What are 3 characteristics of an isometric drawing? ›

Key Characteristics of Isometric Drawing

They include the equal measurement of dimensions, angles, and the perspective from which you view the object.

What are the rules for isometric dimensioning? ›

Aligned dimensions should be parallel to the isometric axes or the feature being dimensioned. The dimension lines should be placed outside the object, with ample room for the dimension values and symbols. For features not aligned with the isometric axes, such as holes, chamfers, or fillets, leader lines should be used.

What is the basic of isometric drawing? ›

An isometric drawing is a pictorial representation of an object in which all three dimensions are drawn at full scale. It is a type of 3D drawing that uses a 3D representation, but the angles between the axes are always 120 degrees and the proportions are maintained, giving the illusion of depth and space.

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