Understanding 2D Views of a Line in Engineering Class

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around understanding the true length of a line using 2D views in engineering, specifically focusing on profile, front, and horizontal views. Participants explore concepts related to descriptive geometry and the relationships between different views of a line.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion about transitioning between 2D views of a line and seeks resources for better understanding.
  • Another participant uses the analogy of a toothpick in an ice cube to explain how to visualize the true length of a line using the Pythagorean theorem.
  • Resources related to descriptive geometry are shared, including links to Wikipedia and a downloadable book.
  • A participant suggests that the views are on different planes that are perpendicular to each other and provides a formula for calculating true length based on lengths observed in each view.
  • There is a humorous exchange regarding the tools used for learning, with references to traditional methods like pencil and paper.
  • Participants share additional resources, including links to course materials and documents related to engineering.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the need for clarity regarding the relationship between the different views, but there is no consensus on the best methods or resources for understanding the topic fully. Some participants provide differing approaches and explanations without resolving the underlying confusion.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the assumptions about the planes and angles involved, as well as the specific conditions under which the formulas apply. Some participants mention the need for more complex calculations if the views are not perpendicular.

Ryuk1990
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In my engineering class we are learning about finding the true length of a line. I don't understand it at all. We basically work with 2D views of a line in either the profile, front, or horizontal view. I don't understand how to get from one view to the next. Does anyone know of any good internet resources to help me understand this concept? I tried googling it but I couldn't really find anything too good.
 
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Imagine a toothpick frozen in an ice cube. Look at it from the top, the front, and the left side. How do you determine the toothpick's length? Picture the the toothpick being the diagonal (hypotenuse) of a right triangle resting on the bottom of the cube. The length of the base of the triangle (B) is the same length you see in the top view. The height of the triangle (H) is the height you see in any side view. The length of the triangle's hypotenuse (the toothpick length) is the square root of A squared + B squared, which is the familiar Pythagorean formula.
 
Ryuk1990 said:
In my engineering class we are learning about finding the true length of a line. I don't understand it at all. We basically work with 2D views of a line in either the profile, front, or horizontal view. I don't understand how to get from one view to the next. Does anyone know of any good internet resources to help me understand this concept? I tried googling it but I couldn't really find anything too good.

are each three of the views on different planes that are perpendicular to each other, for example: top, front, side?

if they are then find lengths of the lines in each view. say L1,L2, and L3
to find the true length the formula is: sqrt[(L1^2)+(L2^2)+(L3^2)]
this is the 3D formulation of the pythagorean theorem.
if 1 or more of the view planes are not perpendicular to the other two and the line is not parallel to at least 1 plane then you'd need to find the angle at which the planes intersect each other and through a more tedious calculation you find the true length.

what program are you using?
 
If they're learning the way they should, the program is called a pencil-paper-tsquare v1.0.
 
FredGarvin said:
If they're learning the way they should, the program is called a pencil-paper-tsquare v1.0.

lol, i actually googled that.
i only asked because i don't know how profile, horizontal, and front relate to each other.
 
Did anything come up? Google is awesome.
 
well what do you think came up? this page is the first on the list!
 
Try this:
http://www2.bakersfieldcollege.edu/mrozell/documents/Engr%20B24/Ch16_1.pdf

full course at:
http://www2.bakersfieldcollege.edu/mrozell/
 
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