What is Technical Drawing?

Technical drawing is the study of the procedures, tools, supplies, skills and techniques used to record and communicate the shape and size of a product. Every product we have today (cars, houses, beds, tables, chairs, desks, appliances, tools, packages, clothing, toys, dishes, radios, CD players, video games, roads, bridges, airplanes, ships, buses, computers, telephones, fax machines, copiers, air-conditioners, heaters, light bulbs, keys, etc.) began as an "idea" in some person's head. Before these "ideas" became products, they had to be drawn on paper. These "drawings" had to show what the "idea" looked like from different directions (top, front and right side views); how long, wide and high the object was; what materials were needed to make the object and what the product was called (model name and number).

Architects, engineers, designers, drafters, CAD operators and illustrators make "assembly and detail drawings" so carpenters, machinists, electricians, welders and other tradesmen can make products. These technical drawings form a "universal" graphic language using pictures (views) and numbers (dimensions) that should be understood (readable) by anyone regardless of the language they speak.