Drafting for the Theatre

Contents

v Contents Acknowledgments vii Introduction—Drafting, the Graphic Language of Planning ix Part One. Tools, Standards, and Basic Techniques 1. The Pencil and CAD—Two Great Choices 3 2. Getting Equipped—Tools of the Trade 9 3. Graphic Standards and Conventions 21 4. Lines and Letters 30 5. Geometry—The Foundation of Drafting 45 6. Dimensions and Those All-Important Notes 60 Part Two. Orthographic Projection 7. 3D to 2D and Back 79 8. Section Views—The Inside Scoop 89 9. Finding an Object’s True Size and Shape 97 10. Scalable 3D Drawings—Isometric and Oblique 112 Part Three. Specialized Techniques 11. Mechanical Perspective—The Long Way and Some Shortcuts 123 12. Sketching—Where All Our Drafting Solutions Begin 136 13. Simplified Drafting Techniques for Both Pencil and CAD 142 Part Four. Computer Drafting 14. CAD—The Twenty-First-Century Tool of Choice 155 15. Keeping Track of All Those Files 173 Part Five. Design and Shop Drawings Overview 16. Scoping Out Design Drawings 183 17. A Case Study of How Design Drawings Are Created 210 18. A Case Study of How Shop Drawings Are Made 229 19. Stage Walls with Square Edges 245 20. Levels—Both Stationary and Rolling 257 21. Stairs and Other Challenging Structures 279 22. Profile Units, Soft Goods, and Similar Design Elements 286 23. Wood Is Good but . . . Metal Is Good Too! 300 Part Six. The Portfolio Project 24. In Summary—The Final Project 315 Appendixes A. USITT Scenic Design and Technical Production Graphic Standard 327 B. USITT RP-2, Recommended Practice for Theatrical Lighting Design Graphics 338 C. Sound Graphics Recommended Practice:AProject of the USITT Sound Commission 347 D. Triangles, Arcs, and Chords 355 E. Conversion Factors for Metric Units 356 F. Standard Dimensions Useful to Theatre Drafters 357 G. Abbreviations 360 Index 363 ...