GLOSSARY

Absolute coordinates are associated with an origin that never changes location, thus giving a stable method of locating

geometry in space.

Angle of projection - the angle between the direction of projection and the horizontal drawn at that point is called the angle of projection.

Annotation is the textual information in notes, specifications, comments, and symbols.

Apex - in geometry, an apex (plural apices) is the vertex which is in some sense the "highest" of the figure to which it belongs. The term typically refers to the vertex opposite from some "base". 

Assembly is an object made from components or subassemblies.

Auxiliary plane - a plane additionally involved to help solve a geometric problem.

Axis - crossing lines of planes of projection and the fixed reference line for measuring coordinates, an imaginary line about which a body rotates. 

Axis of revolution - an axis in a plane about which an area is revolved to form a solid of revolution.

Axonometric projections - a type of orthographic projection used for creating a pictorial drawing of an object, where the object is rotated around one or more of its axes to reveal multiple sides.

Basement or cellar is the lower story of a building below or partly below ground level.

Beam is a structural member used to support the upper part of the building, leaving clear space underneath and transferring the imposed loads to supports at its ends.

BIM - an abbreviation of Building information modelling, is a process supported by various tools, technologies and contracts involving the generation and management of digital representations of physical and functional characteristics of places.

Boolean operation - In mathematics and mathematical logic, Boolean algebra is the branch of algebra in which the values of the variables are the truth values true and false, usually denoted 1 and 0, respectively. Instead of elementary algebra, where the values of the variables are numbers and the prime operations are addition and multiplication, the primary operations of Boolean algebra are the conjunction (and) denoted as ∧, the disjunction (or) denoted as ∨, and the negation (not) denoted as. It is thus a formalism for describing logical operations like elementary algebra describes numerical operations.

Building height is the vertical distance between the land's finished grade and the tallest point on the structure.

Building plan is a horizontal section of the building.

CAD - abbreviation of Computer Aided Design. 

Cartesian (rectangular) coordinate system is a system of coordinates that specify the position of a point on a plane or in space by giving its distances from two perpendicular lines or three perpendicular planes and a system that locates points in space according to distances from three intersecting axes.

Centre line - a real or imaginary line through the centre of something, especially one following an axis of symmetry.

Circumscribed - draw (a figure) around another, touching it at points but not cutting it.

Coincide - to occupy the same place in space.

Coincident is a geometric construction specifying two points or lines sharing the same position.

Column is a structural member which provides continuous support for the upper part of the building and carries the load directly up to the foundations.

Cone - a cone is a three-dimensional geometric shape that tapers smoothly from a flat base (frequently, though not necessarily, circular) to a point called the apex or vertex.

Conical surface -  is the unbounded surface formed by the union of all the straight lines that pass through a fixed point — the apex or vertex — and any point of some fixed space curve — the directrix — that does not contain the apex. Each of those lines is called a generatrix of the surface.

Construction drawing is a set of technical drawings used in the construction industry to provide detailed information

about a building or structure and may include a site plan, structural drawing, floor plan, elevation,

section, detail drawing, mechanical drawing, and specifications

Computer-Aided Design - computer-aided design and drafting (CADD), is a technology for design and technical documentation which replaces manual drafting with an automated process.

Constructive solid geometry - Constructive solid geometry (CSG, formerly called computational binary solid geometry) is a technique used in solid modelling. Constructive solid geometry allows a modeller to create a complex surface or object using Boolean operators to combine simpler objects, potentially generating visually complex objects by combining a few primitive ones. 

Coordinates are numerical values are used to locate a point in the space or drawing area.

CSG - abbreviation of Constructive solid geometry.

Cross-hatching pattern indicates the material type of sectioned element or part in sectional view or section.

Cross-section - a drawing showing only what you see when you cut through the objects with a section plane.

Cuboid - a solid with six rectangular faces at right angles to each other.

Curvilinear - contained by or consisting of a curved line or lines.

Cutting plane - an imaginary plane along which an object is mentally cut to obtain information about the internal structure of the object.

Cylinder - a cylinder has traditionally been a three-dimensional solid, one of the most basic of curvilinear geometric shapes. In elementary geometry, it is considered a prism with a circle as its base.

Datum is a reference point, line, or plane used as a basis for measuring and dimensioning other features.

Difference - a Boolean operation that is true when the two input variables are different but is otherwise false; the XOR operation. 

Dimensioning - Dimensioning is the process of measuring the area or the volume that an object occupies. It is the method of calculating capacity for the storing, handling, transporting and invoicing of goods.

Dimension - a measurable extent of a particular kind, such as length, breadth, depth, or height.

Directrix - a line used to define a curve or surface.

Door is a movable barrier used to close off an opening in a wall or partition, typically consisting of a frame, hinges, and a panel or panels.

Drawing - an image made with a pencil, pen or computer tools representing an object or outlining a figure, plan, or sketch using lines.

Drawing, assembly provides information to contractors, which enables them to construct buildings on-site. They include the assembly of both structural and nonstructural elements, components, and materials.

Drawing, detail is a technical illustration that shows the specific design, construction, or assembly of a part, component or system in greater detail than a general drawing.

Drawing, part contains the information necessary to manufacture a single part.

Drawing, working a set of drawings that includes all the information and instructions necessary for manufacturing parts, parts of structures, and assembling these parts into one product.

Drawing scale - reduced or enlarged representation of an element or object based on the linear dimension of an element of an object as represented in the original drawing to the actual linear dimension of the same element of the object itself. Drawing scales consists typically of the word "scale" followed by the mention of its ratio.

Drawing sheet - a physical paper or digital sheet prepared for drawers.

Drop-down list is a list of options when you pick a button containing a down arrow.

Durability is the ability of a material, structure, or system to resist damage, deterioration, or wear over time in its intended environment and under normal use or exposure.

Eave is the portion of a roof that overhangs a home's exterior wall.

Edge  in geometry, an edge is a particular type of line segment joining two vertices in a polygon, polyhedron, or higher-dimensional polytope. In a polygon, an edge is a line segment on the boundary, often called a polygon side. In a polyhedron, or more generally a polytope, an edge is a line segment where two faces (or polyhedron sides) meet. A segment joining two vertices while passing through the interior or exterior is not an edge but instead is called a diagonal. 

Elevation - vertical orthographic projection of an object or a building from the exterior sides.

Elevation drawing or elevation view used in civil, architectural, or engineering projects is an orthographic view perpendicular to the line of gravity (i.e., parallel to the terrain).

Ellipse - an ellipse is a curve formed by a plane that intersects a cone at an angle concerning the base. It is a curve surrounded by two focal points. Ellipse is a locus of points, the sum of whose distances from two foci is constant.

Engineering drawing - a graphical representation of a part, assembly, system, or structure that can be produced using freehand, mechanical tools, or computer methods.

Engineering Graphics - the universal language of all engineers around the world. It is the graphical solution for many engineering problems and is a communication language between the designer and the maker of the object. Engineering drawing, most commonly referred to as engineering graphics, is the art of manipulating designs of various components, especially those related to engineering.  

Entity - is something that exists as itself, as a subject or as an object, actually or potentially, concretely or abstractly, physically or not. Examples of an entity in graphics are a single point, segment, or single polygon. 

Exterior view - a view of an object from the outside.

External surface - means the outside surface of the 3D surface.

Façade is the view of the building from one side or end, the exterior of a structure commonly referred to as the front-facing exterior.

Feature is a specific physical characteristic or attribute of a part or assembly that can be measured or defined, such as a hole, slot, or surface.

Finished floor level (FFL) is the height or elevation of the top surface of a finished floor, including the thickness of the finish flooring material and a top-level floor in any part of the building.

Flight of Stairs is a series of stair-steps arranged together, usually in a single line. The maximum number of steps in a single flight must be 12 to 14.

Floor level is the height or elevation of a finished floor, typically measured concerning a fixed point or benchmark.

Floor Plan - a horizontal orthographic projection is drawn at a particular vertical position (commonly at about mid-level between floors). 

Foundation is the portion of a structure under columns and walls that safely transfers the structure's load to the soil underneath without excessive settlement.

Furnishing provides or equips a room, space, or building with furniture, fixtures, decorative items, etc.

Gable is the triangular upper part of a wall at the end of the ridge and a pitched roof with two sloped sides that create an " A" or triangular form.

Generatrix is a point, curve or surface that, when moved along a given path, generates a new shape, also described.

Grid is a pattern of lines that appears on-screen for reference, analogous to a graph paper.

Ground Level (G.L) is the ground level in or near the building, which may be natural or developed ground level.

Hatch - technique to represent different materials in engineering drawing.

Height marks are small lines or dots with a numerical value next to them, placed at specific intervals along a vertical line to indicate the height or elevation of a particular point or feature in the drawing. Height marks are commonly used in elevation and section views to show the height dimensions of walls, windows, doors, and other features.

Hexagon is a six-sided polygon. In geometry, a hexagon can be defined as a closed two-dimensional polygon with six sides. Hexagon has 6 vertices and 6 angles also. Hexa means six, and gonia mean angles.

Hip is the outer angle (more than 180 degrees) formed by the inclined ridge between two intersecting roof slopes.

Horizontal is a line or curve parallel to the horizontal plane of projection; lines of the intersection of an inclined surface and horizontal planes.

Hover is pausing the cursor over an item to display information or options.

Hyperbola is a smooth curve lying in a plane, defined by its geometric properties or equations for which it is the solution set. A hyperbola has two pieces, called connected components or branches, that are mirror images of each other and resemble two infinite bows. 

Icon is a small graphic representing an application, file, or command.

IFC is an abbreviation of Industry Foundation Classes, the official standard of an open file format specifying building data.

Interface is items that allow you to input data to and receive outputs from a computer system.

Insulation is a material that reduces the transfer of heat, sound, or electricity.

Interior view - a view inside an object (for example, a building).

Intersection - In set theory, the intersection of two sets, A and B, denoted by, is the set containing all elements of A that also belong to B or, equivalently, all elements of B that also belong to A.

Isometric drawing is a pictorial representation of an object rotated 45 degrees, tilted 36 degrees and 16 minutes, then drawn full scale. An isometric drawing differs from an isometric projection in that all three dimensions are drawn at full scale rather than foreshortening to the true projection.

Isometric projection is an orthogonal projection showing an object from an angle that allows observing all three dimensions simultaneously.

Landing in Stairs is the horizontal platform provided between two flights of stairs.

Landscape is a level platform or area at the top or bottom of stairs or between two flights.

Lateral surface is the lateral surface of an object is all of the object's sides, excluding its base and top (when they exist).

Length is the measurement of something from end to end or along its longest side. 

Lettering is forming letters, numerals, and other characters in drawings.

Line conventions are standards related to line thickness, type, and purpose.

Measurement - the process of associating numbers with physical quantities and phenomena.

Model - three-dimensional representation of an object or a building.

Modelling - the activity of making three-dimensional models. 

Multiview drawing - a multiview drawing is one that shows two or more two-dimensional views of a three-dimensional object. Multiview drawings provide the shape description of an object. When combined with dimensions, multiview drawings serve as the main form of communication between designers and manufacturers.

Object snap is a tool that locates an exact point, such as an endpoint, midpoint, or centre point, on or relative to an existing object.

Origin is the intersection point of the X, Y, and Z axes in 3D space or the X and Y axes in a 2D plane.

Orthogonal - having a set of mutually perpendicular axes meeting at right angles.

Orthographic projection is a parallel technique that creates a 2D image of 3D objects or structures on an image plane perpendicular to the lines of sight. This technique can produce pictorial drawings, such as isometric or oblique showing an object's three dimensions, or multi-view drawings, showing only two dimensions of an object in a single view.

Orthogonal objects are related by their perpendicularity to one another.

Parameter - a numerical or other measurable factor forming one of a set that defines a system or sets the conditions of its operation.

Parabola - a curve like the path of an object thrown into the air and falling back to earth

Parallelogram - in Euclidean geometry, a parallelogram is a simple (non-self-intersecting) quadrilateral with two pairs of parallel sides.

Pentagon - any five-sided polygon or 5-gon. The sum of the internal angles in a simple pentagon is 540°.

Perspective projection is a projection technique in which some or all projectors converge at predefined points and are used to replicate the objects in a more realistic view of how humans perceive them.

Pictorial view is a pictorial drawing representing a 3D object in a single image that looks more like the actual object and can be created using different techniques, such as isometric projection, oblique projection, or perspective projection.

Plan or Plan view is a horizontal section of the building.

Polygon - a plane figure with at least three straight sides and angles, typically five or more.

Polyhedron - a three-dimensional object composed of a finite number of polygonal surfaces (faces). Technically, a polyhedron is a boundary between the interior and exterior of a solid. In general, polyhedrons are named according to the number of faces.

Polyline is two or more connected lines, curves, arcs, or splines that can be closed or opened.

Primitive - an image element, such as an arc, a square, or a cone, from which more detailed images can be constructed. 

Prism - a solid figure with ends that are parallel (= the same distance apart at every point) and of the same size and shape, and with sides whose opposite edges are equal and parallel.

Projection is a correspondence between the points of a figure and a surface (or line). In-plane projections, a series of points on one plane may be projected onto a second plane by choosing any focal point or origin and constructing lines from that origin that pass through the points on the first plane and impinge upon the second. This type of mapping is called a central projection. The figures made to correspond by the projection are said to be in perspective, and the image is called a projection of the original figure. If the rays are parallel instead, the projection is likewise called “parallel”; if, in addition, the rays are perpendicular to the plane upon which the original figure is projected, the projection is called “orthogonal.” 

Pyramid - a pyramid is a structure whose outer surfaces are triangular and converge to a single step at the top, making the shape roughly a pyramid in the geometric sense. The base of a pyramid can be trilateral, quadrilateral, or of any polygon shape. As such, a pyramid has at least three outer triangular surfaces (at least four faces, including the base). The square pyramid, with a square base and four triangular outer surfaces, is a common version.

Railing is a horizontal barrier or support structure designed to prevent falls or provide stability on a platform, staircase, balcony, or elevated surface.

Rectangle - a plane figure with four straight sides and four right angles.

Reference Point is a fixed point or location used as a starting point for measuring distances or locations of other features in a design or drawing.

Reliability is the ability of a building or construction to perform its intended function without failure or breakdown for a certain period under given conditions.

Revit is a 3D modelling software program for architects, engineers, and construction professionals to create detailed building models and documents.

Ribbon is a panel displayed along the top of the workspace, providing quick access to the most frequently used CAD commands.

Riser is a vertical distance between two adjacent treads on stairs.

Roof is an uppermost covering of a building or structure, protecting it from rain, snow, and other environmental factors.

Roof, cross gable is a roof design with two or more gable roofs intersecting at right angles.

Roof, cross-hipped is a roof design with two or more hipped roofs intersecting at right angles.

Roof, four-pitched, is a roof design with four sloping sides, each with a different pitch or angle.

Roof, gable is a roof shape consisting of two sloping surfaces, is a roof design that features two sloping sides that meet at a ridge, forming a triangular shape.

Roof-hipped is a roof with an end roughly pyramidal in shape, with a surface sloping upwards from all three eaves, is a roof design that features four sloping sides that meet at a ridge, forming a pyramid shape.

Run is a horizontal distance between the nosing of one tread and the nosing of the next.

Scale is the mathematical ratio used to calculate the size difference between the actual object and the drawn representation of it.

Schedule is a tabular representation of data or information related to a construction project's materials, equipment, or other components included in drawings.

Section is cutting; a part cut out from the rest of something.

Sectional view (also called sections) -  represents the part of an object remaining after a portion is assumed to have been cut and removed. The exposed cut surface is then indicated by section lines. Hidden features behind the cutting plane are omitted unless required for dimensioning or for a definition of the part.

Shape - the form of edges or surfaces.

Shape of revolution - in geometry, a solid of revolution is obtained by rotating a plane figure around some straight line (the axis of revolution) that lies on the same plane.

Side - in geometry, it is the plane of a 3D object.

Site plan - a drawing typically showing the full extent of the site for an existing or proposed development.

Slope - in mathematics, the slope or gradient of a line is a number that describes both the direction and the steepness of the line.

Sloped line - is the steepest straight line in a plane. It is a line in the direction in which water will flow or an object will roll.

Sphere is a geometrical object, a three-dimensional analogue of a two-dimensional circle. A sphere is a set of points at the same distance r from a given point in three-dimensional space. That given point is the sphere'scentre, and r is the sphere's radius.

Stairs are a series of steps or flights that allow movement between different levels of a building or structure.

Standard - is a repeatable, harmonised, agreed and documented way of doing something. Standards contain technical specifications or other precise criteria designed to be used consistently as a rule, guideline, or definition.

Sweeping - sweep surfaces are surfaces generated from a section curve positioned along a path. Various sweep types are available to extend the sweep definition: sweep by two guide curves is defined as moving and adjusting a section curve along two guide curves. 

Symbol - the entities utilized to detail and communicate the characteristics of various drawings in the field of engineering.

Technical drawing - an engineering drawing is a detailed, precise diagram or plan that conveys information about how object functions or is constructed.

Tetragon - has an even number of sides; in a regular tetragon, opposite sides are parallel. A regular tetragon is a square. 

Terracing - is a sloping piece of land with flat areas like steps built on it, for example, so that people can grow crops there. An inclined object can be replaced with a stepped one - look at the parts of the fence of the house courtyard. 

Terrain is the natural physical features of a site, including hills, valleys, slopes, and other landforms.

Three-dimensional space - three-dimensional space is a geometric setting in which three values are required to determine the position of an element.

Title block - the block used in the engineering drawing to represent the details of the drawing and is usually placed on the bottom right of the drawing frame.

Topology - in mathematics, topology (from the Greek words τόπος, 'place, location', and λόγος, 'study') is concerned with the properties of a geometric object that are preserved under continuous deformations, such as stretching, twisting, crumpling, and bending; that is, without closing holes, opening holes, tearing, glueing, or passing through itself.

Torus in geometry, a torus is a surface of revolution generated by revolving a circle in three-dimensional space about an axis coplanar with the circle. If the axis of revolution does not touch the circle, the surface has a ring shape called a torus of revolution.

Trapezoid - a quadrilateral with at least one pair of parallel sides is called a trapezoid (/ˈtræpəzɔɪd/) in American and Canadian English. In British and other forms of English, it is called a trapezium.

Tread is a horizontal surface of a step that the foot rests on while ascending or descending stairs.

Quadrangle - a four-sided plane figure, especially a square or rectangle.

Quadrant - In the cartesian system, the coordinate plane is divided into four equal parts by the intersection of the x-axis (the horizontal number line) and the y-axis (the vertical number line). These four regions are called quadrants because they each represent one-quarter of the whole coordinate plane.

Quadrilateral -  a four-sided figure.

Union - the set containing all of the elements of two or more sets. In CAD combines two or more 3D solids, surfaces, or 2D regions into a single, composite 3D solid, surface, or region. 

Vapor barrier is a layer of material, typically plastic or foil, installed in a building assembly to impede the flow of water vapour through the walls, roof, or floor.

Vertex - in geometry, a vertex (in plural form: vertices or vertexes) is a point where two or more curves, lines, or edges meet. As a consequence of this definition, the point where two lines meet forms an angle and the corners.

Vertical - at right angles to a horizontal plane, in a direction, or having an alignment such that the top is directly above the bottom.

View - a two-dimensional picture of geometric objects. 

Views - different projections of an object or building.

Wall, boundary is the outer building wall marking the area's boundary used to provide safety and privacy inside the building.

Wall, exterior (external) is a load-bearing wall that forms the outer shell of a building and supports the weight of the roof and floors.

Wall, Interior (internal) is a non-load-bearing wall that separates different rooms or areas within a building.

Wedge - a wedge is a triangular-shaped tool and is a portable inclined plane and one of the six simple machines. It can separate two objects or portions of an object, lift an object, or hold it in place. The wedge is also a prism, but its base is a right triangle with legs a and b.

Wind barrier is a structure or material used to block or reduce the wind flow.

Window is an opening in a wall or roof designed to allow light, air, and sometimes sound to pass through.