Line Conventions, Continued
Break lines
When an extended part of an object has a continuous shape and size, you can
save space by abbreviating the object using zigzag or wavy lines. These
zigzag or wavy lines are called break lines because you figuratively break
away an unimportant segment of an object. The two types of break lines are
long break lines and short break lines.
LONG BREAK LINES: Long break lines are ruled lines with freehand
zigzags that reduce the size of the drawing required to delineate an object and
reduce detail.
SHORT BREAK LINES: To indicate a short break in an object, use thick,
solid, wavy freehand lines.
Rods, tubes, and bars have additional conventions that not only break their
length but also imply the material or texture of the object.
Figure 3-18 illustrates how line conventions may indicate composition or
texture.
Figure 3-18.—Conventional breaks.
Continued on next page
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