What is 2D Drafting?
2D drafting is a foundational element of digital engineering, providing the essential blueprints and technical drawings that guide the entire product development and manufacturing process.
These drawings, which can be anything from simple parts to complex assemblies, are crucial for engineers, architects, and designers. 2D drafts contain all the necessary specifications for manufacturing, including dimensions, materials, and processes.
The role of 2D drafting in digital engineering
2D drafting serves as the backbone of product development and manufacturing. It allows designers to conceptualize and communicate their ideas clearly, ensuring that all stakeholders have a precise understanding of a product’s specifications before moving forward with production. This precision is critical to avoiding costly mistakes and ensuring that products meet quality standards.
Nowadays, 2D drafting has evolved from manual drawing to sophisticated software-driven processes. This transformation has significantly enhanced the efficiency, accuracy, and speed of creating technical drawings. Modern tools enable automatic dimensioning, easy revisions, and the ability to share drawings digitally, streamlining collaboration among teams.
What are the benefits of collaborative 2D drafting for product development?
Improved accuracy and precision
For significantly reducing the risk of human error and ensuring that drawings are precise and accurate. This accuracy is crucial for the fit and function of parts and assemblies in the manufacturing process.
Closer collaboration
For simplifying sharing and collaboration on projects. Team members can access and modify drawings in real-time, regardless of their location, improving communication and efficiency.
What's the best way to get started with 2D drafting?
To effectively integrate 2D drafting into your organization, it’s essential to adopt a structured approach that encompasses training, software selection, and workflow integration.
Evaluate your current product development processes to identify how 2D Drafting can best support your goals. Consider the types of products you develop and the level of detail required in your drawings.
Choose a drafting software that fits your needs. Consider factors such as compatibility with other tools, ease of use, and the availability of training and support.
Ensure that your team is proficient in using the selected software. Invest in training programs that cover both the basics and advanced features of the software.
Establish clear guidelines for creating, sharing, and revising drawings that integrate seamlessly into your existing product development workflow.
Essential software for 2D drafting
For complex engineering design and assembly modeling.
For design, engineering, simulation, manufacturing, and data management.
DraftSight
For creating, editing, and viewing .dwg files.
For comparing parts and assemblies across CAD systems.
View our extensive range of software solutions
Need help with 2D drafting?
Jake Taylor and team are on-hand to provide tailored guidance and support with a deep knowledge of the full Dassault Systèmes portfolio. Reach out for a free consultation today.
Drafting FAQs
Third-angle projection is a method of orthographic projection, which is a technique for portraying a 3D design using a series of 2D views. The 3rd-angle projection is where the 3D object is seen to be in the 3rd quadrant. It is positioned below and behind the viewing planes; the planes are transparent, and each view is pulled onto the plane closest to it. The front plane of projection is seen to be between the observer and the object.
The images below show the projection of the object on a 3D box surrounding the object. The box is then gradually unfolded to then present a series of 2D views in the 3rd-angle projection as viewed by the observer.
The following demo shows this in motion:
The views below show the same object in first an Isometric 3D view, then the corresponding 2D 3rd Angle projection views in the specific alignment. The annotations on the 2D views show how the top and left views are aligned to the front view.
- The front view, is a drawing of the block, as if you are looking directly at the front of the object.
- The side view, is a drawing of the block, when it has been rotated so that one of its sides is now directly in view.
- The plan view, is a ‘birds eye’ view, from above.
The 3rd-angle projection symbol shows the orientation of a cone in the 3rd-angle projection.
