DRAWINGS

HOW TO READ A DRAWING:
Theatre drawings, simple but vital.

Orthographic drawing
Most common and useful form.

If necessary, left, bottom, and rear can also be shown.

Common in theatre to show only one or two views as needed.

Different views of large drawings may appear on separate sheets, called Plates.
The Floor plan, a very common drawing: top view of the stage as seen from grid.
Section: A side view of the stage. What you would see if you sliced through stage.

Helps determine heights of things.
Front drawings are rarely produced, as many objects on stage are at an angle 
and would be distorted.

Elevations: the scenery is straightened out into a straight plane and 
drawn with each piece shown straight on.

Working drawings are the drawings carpenters use to build individual pieces.  
They may be a three view orthographic projection, or may be in some other suitable form.
	* The base angles of a 90 degree cube are offset some standard amount, 
        usually 30 degrees.
	* Dimensions but not angles can be lifted from these.
	* Shows front face square on, but side face is at an angle like 
        an isometric.
	* Dimensions can be lifted, but angles can only be lifted from 
        the front face.

Gives a realistic appearance, but angles and dimensions are distorted.

They are for visualization but are not accurate as working drawings.

Drawings may be done by hand or by computer, called CAD.

Usually come in standard sizes for ease of handling, but theare drawings are 
almost routinuely non-standard!

Regardless of the form or view being presented, there are certain parts common 
to most shop drawings.
Title block: usually found in lower right corner of the drawing.
At a MINIMUM should include the drawing title (what it is supposed to be) 
and the scale.

If the drawing is not to any scale, use the initials NTS for Not To Scale to show this. 
A more complete title block should include:
	* Producing Organization
	* Project name (the play)
	* Theatre name
	* Scale
	* Date drawn
	* Who drew it
	* Perhaps the designer's name,  the Drawing Title, and the drawing number, 
and anything else you think important.

Border:  Among other things shows that the whole drawing is there when a copy is run.

Key if needed, used to help interpret symbols in the drawing.
An instrument key is a standard part of light plots, where different symbols 
stand for different instruments.

In the center will be the drawing.  Avoid crowding unnecessarily.
Dimensions given for key features, such as height, width, thickness, 
location of internal edges, etc.
	* The drawing should be in scale, so that parts can be measured 
        with a scale rule if necessary, but the need should be minimal.
	* Critical parts should have the sizes listed to avoid incorrect 
        measurements.
	* However, it is wise to avoid duplicating measures to minimize clutter.

Plate numbers:  Should show if there is a second or third plate to 
go with the one you are using.

Sometimes included: Removed views and Cutting or parts lists.
So, to recap:
Main ways to project an object:
	* Orthographic
	* Isometric
	* Oblique
The main types of views used to show threatre are:
	* Plan view (top view)
	* Section (side view taken through the center line)
	* Front elevation (front view flattened into a single plane)
	* Rendering (which is an artist's impression of the stage as it will appear, 
        usually in perspective).
To read a working drawing, it is necessary to know the scale of the drawing.

Most major dimensions should be given.
However if dimensions are missing, lift them, i.e. measure them, with a scale rule.

Cutting list.

A list of all the parts that will go into making something, listing the 
exact materials and finished dimensions when cut.

For simple projects you can generate it as you go, but for a more complex item, 
it is more efficient to make a complete list before you start cutting.
A word about building materials:

Stock lumber is almost never the size it claims to be.

For instance:
Flat frames are typically built of either 1x3 or 1x4.  Those numbers are 
supposed to be the cross sectional measure of the board.

However, the actual true measure of a 1x3 is 3/4" x 21/2".  
It used to be 3/4" x 23/4". 
Nominal vs. True Measure
	* 1x3 is 3/4" x 2 1/2"
	* 1x4 is 3/4" x 3 1/2"
	* 2x4 is 11/2" x 31/2"
	* 2x6 is 11/2" x 51/2"

The nominal dimensions express the rough cut measurement of the lumber 
before is is planed.

The main thing to remember: make sure that you deduct the actual rather 
than the nominal size of the lumber being using.

Generating a list: Sample Platform
	* What is the scale for these drawings?
	* What is the drawing title and drawing number?
	* What are the dimensions of the platform?
	* What is it made of?
	* How could you tell?
	* What is the top made of?
	* What would be a safe assumption?
OK, with this information, lets put together a cutting list:
	* For the top?
	* For the ends
	* For the sides?
	* The center support?
	* How long are the legs?
	* Are there any other parts?

OK, we have just generated a cutting list for this platform.