Britannica
Sources used in this answer
What drafting tools are used to draw straight lines and angles by hand?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
drafting
Figure 1: Two techniques of representing an object. (A) Perspective drawing, suggesting that the object is cubical. (B) Orthographic top and front views, revealing that the object is not cubical.
In the context of drafting, several specialized tools are used to manually create accurate straight lines and angles:
- T square: A T-shaped instrument used to establish horizontal references and draw parallel lines.123
- Triangle: Used in conjunction with other tools to draw lines at specific angles.14
- Protractor: A tool specifically designed for measuring and marking out angles.12
- Parallel straightedge: An alternative to the T square that also facilitates the drawing of parallel lines.1
- Drafting machine: An integrated device that combines the functions of a T square, triangle, protractor, and scale, allowing a straightedge to be moved while maintaining any desired angle relative to the drawing board.15
- Compass: While primarily used for circles, it is a fundamental geometric instrument in drafting practice.14
These tools are essential for ensuring the precision and neatness required in engineering drawings and construction plans.14