Basic Shapes
Introduction
All forms, regardless of complexity, have, as their basis, one or a
combination of basic shapes. Although an object may not perfectly duplicate
a basic shape, the shapes are present. Objects are three dimensional in
structure. The three dimensions are height, width, and depth.
Basic shapes
The four basic shapes are the cube, the sphere, the cylinder, and the cone.
Describing objects by using basic forms simplifies the process of drawing and
laying out forms on a page. Draw basic shapes as if they were made of glass
to see both the inside and outside of the objects. This technique is called
drawing through an object and enables you to give objects depth as well as
height and width.
Figure 3-8 shows the four basic shapes in drawing.
Figure 3-8.—The four basic shapes.
Figure 3-9 shows basic shapes drawn as if they were made of glass.
Figure 3-9.—Drawing through basic shapes as if they
were made of glass.
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