Welcome to the Drafting How To’s Message Board & Forum.
Feel free to make an account and join right in.
A sectional drawing
Quote from
GilGal150 on January 28, 2025, 2:08 pm
I’ve never had any training in architectural drawing. I know what a section is, but I’m not sure how to draw one. How detailed does it need to be? If you cut a building at one point, do you show details from walls or things further back, or just the lines of things you cut through?
Sorry if that makes no sense. I don’t know the right terms. Can someone explain it or share a link to help me understand section drawings better?
I’ve never had any training in architectural drawing. I know what a section is, but I’m not sure how to draw one. How detailed does it need to be? If you cut a building at one point, do you show details from walls or things further back, or just the lines of things you cut through?
Sorry if that makes no sense. I don’t know the right terms. Can someone explain it or share a link to help me understand section drawings better?
Walter has reacted to this post.
Quote from
Walter on January 28, 2025, 7:57 pm
A section drawing is basically a vertical cut through a building, showing what you would see if you sliced through it at a particular point. The main goal is to reveal the internal structure and details that aren’t visible in a typical elevation or plan view.
To answer your question:
- You only show details of the elements that are actually cut through—walls, floors, structural elements, etc. These should be drawn with heavier (thicker) lines to emphasize that they’ve been sectioned.
- Features that are beyond the cut line (in the background) are shown with lighter or dashed lines, depending on their importance.
- The level of detail depends on the drawing’s scale and purpose. A large-scale section (e.g., 3/4"=1'-0" or 1"=1'-0") shows major elements like walls, floors, and roof structures, while a detail section (e.g., 1/2"=1'-0") might include insulation, fasteners, and specific material layers.
If you’re just starting out, I’d recommend looking at architectural drawing guides or tutorials. There are some great ones online on this site I think, or will be shortly hereafter.
Hope that helps! Let me know if you need more clarification.
A section drawing is basically a vertical cut through a building, showing what you would see if you sliced through it at a particular point. The main goal is to reveal the internal structure and details that aren’t visible in a typical elevation or plan view.
To answer your question:
- You only show details of the elements that are actually cut through—walls, floors, structural elements, etc. These should be drawn with heavier (thicker) lines to emphasize that they’ve been sectioned.
- Features that are beyond the cut line (in the background) are shown with lighter or dashed lines, depending on their importance.
- The level of detail depends on the drawing’s scale and purpose. A large-scale section (e.g., 3/4"=1'-0" or 1"=1'-0") shows major elements like walls, floors, and roof structures, while a detail section (e.g., 1/2"=1'-0") might include insulation, fasteners, and specific material layers.
If you’re just starting out, I’d recommend looking at architectural drawing guides or tutorials. There are some great ones online on this site I think, or will be shortly hereafter.
Hope that helps! Let me know if you need more clarification.
Timothy has reacted to this post.
Quote from
Timothy on March 7, 2025, 9:59 am
I’d like to provide some additional insights that could help you better understand and create detailed sectional drawings.
A section drawing is essentially a slice through a structure that reveals its internal components and construction details. Think of it as cutting a cake to see its layers. The primary objective is to display elements that are not visible in a standard elevation or floor plan, offering a comprehensive view of the building’s construction.
Key Elements of a Section Drawing:
- Cutting Plane Line: This is the imaginary line where the building is "cut." It’s crucial to place this line strategically to capture the most informative and critical parts of the structure.
- Heavy and Light Lines: Use heavier lines to depict elements that are cut through, such as walls, floors, and beams. Lighter or dashed lines are for components in the background or beyond the cutting plane.
- Detail and Scale: The level of detail depends on the scale of the drawing. For example, a large-scale section (e.g., 1:50) will show major structural elements like walls and roof structures, while a smaller scale (e.g., 1:10) can illustrate finer details such as insulation, fasteners, and material layers.
- Annotations and Dimensions: Clearly label and dimension all significant elements to provide a comprehensive understanding of the construction details. This includes notes on materials, finishes, and any other relevant information.
Practical Tips for Creating Section Drawings:
- Choose the Best Section Line: Select a cutting plane that passes through the most critical areas of the building, such as staircases, doorways, and structural components.
- Maintain Consistency: Ensure that the style and level of detail in your section drawings are consistent with other drawings (e.g., plans and elevations) to maintain clarity and coherence.
- Use Reference Guides: Leverage architectural drawing standards and guidelines to ensure your section drawings meet professional standards. Online tutorials and CAD-specific resources can be incredibly helpful.
Section drawings are an invaluable part of the design process, providing crucial insights into the inner workings of a structure. Mastering the art of creating detailed and accurate section drawings will greatly enhance your drafting skills and project outcomes.
I’d like to provide some additional insights that could help you better understand and create detailed sectional drawings.
A section drawing is essentially a slice through a structure that reveals its internal components and construction details. Think of it as cutting a cake to see its layers. The primary objective is to display elements that are not visible in a standard elevation or floor plan, offering a comprehensive view of the building’s construction.
Key Elements of a Section Drawing:
- Cutting Plane Line: This is the imaginary line where the building is "cut." It’s crucial to place this line strategically to capture the most informative and critical parts of the structure.
- Heavy and Light Lines: Use heavier lines to depict elements that are cut through, such as walls, floors, and beams. Lighter or dashed lines are for components in the background or beyond the cutting plane.
- Detail and Scale: The level of detail depends on the scale of the drawing. For example, a large-scale section (e.g., 1:50) will show major structural elements like walls and roof structures, while a smaller scale (e.g., 1:10) can illustrate finer details such as insulation, fasteners, and material layers.
- Annotations and Dimensions: Clearly label and dimension all significant elements to provide a comprehensive understanding of the construction details. This includes notes on materials, finishes, and any other relevant information.
Practical Tips for Creating Section Drawings:
- Choose the Best Section Line: Select a cutting plane that passes through the most critical areas of the building, such as staircases, doorways, and structural components.
- Maintain Consistency: Ensure that the style and level of detail in your section drawings are consistent with other drawings (e.g., plans and elevations) to maintain clarity and coherence.
- Use Reference Guides: Leverage architectural drawing standards and guidelines to ensure your section drawings meet professional standards. Online tutorials and CAD-specific resources can be incredibly helpful.
Section drawings are an invaluable part of the design process, providing crucial insights into the inner workings of a structure. Mastering the art of creating detailed and accurate section drawings will greatly enhance your drafting skills and project outcomes.
