TECHNICAL DRAWING

Technical Drawings - sometimes also called "working drawings" - are a significant part of a set or lighting design. The process of making technical drawings is called "drafting."

The pages and sites linked below contain exercises and step by step projects useful for the student of Technical Drawing for the Theatre.

examples of Technical Drawing for Theatre

An Introduction to Technical Drawing for Theatre (an introduction to basic principles of orthographic projection by Robert Gardiner at the University of British Columbia)

Basic Graphic Conventions used in Theatre Drafting (links to published standards and a summary of conventions used at the University of British Columbia)

Technical Drawing Topics (Topics for students of technical drawing: a site designed, constructed and maintained by Richard Johannsen, Technical Drawing Instructor in the Adlai E. Stevenson High School Technical Drawing Program / Technology Education Department)

Correctly Draft a Simple Object, giving sufficient views (Exercise used at the University of British Columbia)

Do a complete set of technical drawings in pencil for a simple box set (Exercise used at the University of British Columbia)

 A discussion of CAD and pencil drafting (by Robert Gardiner at the University of British Columbia)

An Introduction to Vectorworks / MiniCad (Draft a simple box using Vectorworks / MiniCad: basic exercise by Robert Gardiner at the University of British Columbia)

3 tutorials for MiniCAD / Vectorworks (.pdf downloadable Vectorworks / MiniCAD tutorials by Robert Gardiner at the University of British Columbia)

Construct a virtual model of a simple box set (CAD Exercise by Robert Gardiner at the University of British Columbia. This project is related to the project below)

Do a complete set of Computer Assisted technical drawings for a simple box set (CAD Exercise by Robert Gardiner at the University of British Columbia)

MiniCAD and Vectorworks Tutorials (by Kent Goetz at Cornell University "lead the user through a series of design activities in a theatrical context using the CAD application Vectorworks 9 / Spotlight / Renderworks. Each tutorial is 20 - 30 pages and takes 3 - 6 hours to complete." The link leads to Professor Goetz' main page - proceed from there to access the tutorials. Please remember to send Professor Goetz the suggested shareware fee if you use the material.)

Computer Drafting Projects: Vectorworks (exercises and projects by James K. Culley, Department of Television, Radio, Film and Theatre at San Jose State University. Comprehensive descriptions and step by step examples. The link leads to Professor Culley's main page - proceed from there to access the tutorials.)

An Introduction to Computer Assisted Design For The Theatre: ( by L.J. DeCuir - "Using AutoCAD, 3DStudioMax, Painter & Poser In An Integrated Process For Scenery, Lighting, Costume Design and Technical Direction")

MiniCAD and Vectorworks Tutorials (by Kent Goetz at Cornell University "lead the user through a series of design activities in a theatrical context using the CAD application Vectorworks 9 / Spotlight / Renderworks. Each tutorial is 20 - 30 pages and takes 3 - 6 hours to complete." The link leads to Professor Goetz' main page - proceed from there to access the tutorials. Please remember to send Professor Goetz the suggested shareware fee if you use the material.)

Using Vectorworks for Lighting (in progress by Robert Gardiner at the University of British Columbia)