Drafting Tools

Drafting Tools

Drafting is a way of representing and communicating information through figures and graphics. It is both a science and an art, and it is usually the first step of projects related to design, architecture, and construction.

Over the years, the methods of drafting have changed in a myriad of ways. Computer-aided drafting (CAD) has become the common practice, and there are now several drafting equipment and tools designed to make both CAD and manual drafting even more efficient. These include drafting paper, furniture, drawing guides, and measuring tools.

Drafting Paper

Ordinary papers won’t do for making blueprints and technical drawings. For this reason, there are now specially designed papers that have the necessary durability for manual drawing as well as printing outputs from a CAD program.
For instance, Dietzgen drafting papers come in several types, such as CAD paper, CAD InkJet paper, tinted and translucent engineering bond, coated and uncoated engineering bond, plotter rolls, and films. This variety provides drafters with the paper materials they need for the different stages of their work, including manual drawing, tracing, CAD, and blueprint printing.

Drawing Guides

Drawing guides are tools that help drafters make accurate measurements, scale up or scale down their dawings, and make necessary shapes, lines, and curves. These tools include drafting triangles, drafting scales, T-Squares, L-Squares, irregular curves, protractors, compasses, dividers, and stencils, to name a few. Each of these guides provides different functions. Together, they help drafters create visual figures that accurately represent not only the appearance but also the measurements needed to complete a project.
Blueprint measuring tools are also becoming popular. These tools enable drafters to quickly determine measurements simply by tracing a drawing. They can also easily convert a hand-drawn or printed drawing into a computerized one, with the use of an interface cable that connects the tool to a computer.

Drafting Furniture

Drafters and students use different pieces of furniture to help them work more efficiently. Some commonly used furniture types are drawing boards, drawing stools, and drawing reference tables.
Drawing boards and stools are usually ergonomic to make any drawing task comfortable. Plus, drawing boards are built with horizontal and vertical rulers that serve both as guides and clamps that keep a drafting paper in place.
Drawing reference tables, on the other hand, are great for drawing, displaying, and presenting one’s work. These are usually big in size and are not as portable as drawing boards.

Light Fixtures

As with any job, proper lighting is necessary when drafting either manually or through CAD software. Drafters can choose between drafting lamps, lightboxes, and light tables. These tools are designed to provide lighting while reducing glare, and they help drafters do their work without eye strain. Lightboxes and light tables are also great for tracing, displaying, and comparing drawings.

Light Fixtures


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