Basics of Technical Illustration
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What exactly is a technical illustration? -
Is it not simply a graphic representation like any other? How does it differ from a technical drawing?
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Less is more ... -
The numerous stylistic devices in Technical Illustration allow you to visualize technical coherences. An important, but very often underestimated, method in Technical Illustration is the omission of lines, which often helps to display the desired information more clearly.
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Thick and thin lines -
The use of thick and thin lines is an important stylistic device in Technical Illustration.
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Bézier curves -
Computer graphics programs offer you a variety of different tools and functions for your work as illustrators. One function that is provided by all graphics programs is the so-called Bézier curve.
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How to arrange ellipses correctly -
The ellipse is without a doubt the most important element in Technical Illustration. The following article contains some background knowledge that will help you choose the right ellipse and arrange it correctly.
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Minor axis -
The minor axis or minor line is the spatial centerline of a circle drawn in perspective.
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Using technical illustrations in Flash -
To visualize technical processes you might want to embed your technical illustrations in Flash movies...
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Styles and Techniques in Technical Illustration -
The following examples clearly demonstrate the effects of different styles and techniques used in Technical Illustration.
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Why Illustrations aid understanding -
A paper by David Kirsh, Associate Professor at the Department of Cognitive Science, University of California, San Diego.
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Photo-tracing -
One of the most effective methods of creating a technical illustration is the photo-tracing technique.
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Cutaway illustrations -
The cutaway perspective is fundamentally a three dimensional sectional view.
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Exploded illustrations -
As the term implies, the exploded view shows an assembly with its components blown out from the main body, but still remaining in relative order along their respective centrelines.
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Perspective Models in Technical Illustration -
Various perspective models are used in technical illustration. Each of these models offers specific advantages. In the following section, you will learn background information on these models and learn their proper application.
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A matter of perspective... -
When working with technical illustrations, you must consider perspective. The following article will provide you with some useful information on working with both parallel and true perspective.
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Cavalier projection -
The cavalier projection shows a front view. The edges representing the depth are drawn at a 45° angle and shortened by 50%.
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Military projection -
The military projection reproduces the layout/object accurately. The term originates from its use in the military and it can also be seen on street maps.
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Tasks and operational areas of technical illustrators -
Between India ink and CAD - by Gabi Kahl
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Technical Illustrations -
Spatial representation in two dimensions - The why and how of projection
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Recommended Reading: Interactive Technical Illustration -
This is the abstract of a paper by Bruce and Amy Gooch, Peter-Pike J. Sloan, Peter Shirley, and Richard Riesenfeld on "Interactive Technical Illustration".
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List of Abbreviations -
The list below explains the most frequent abbreviations mentioned in this portal.
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