Understanding 2D Views of a Line in Engineering Class

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on understanding how to find the true length of a line using 2D views in engineering, specifically through profile, front, and horizontal perspectives. Users express confusion about transitioning between these views and calculating the true length, which can be determined using the Pythagorean theorem. Resources such as "descriptive geometry" are suggested for further study, along with specific links to educational materials. The importance of understanding the relationship between the different views and their planes is emphasized, particularly when they are not perpendicular. Overall, the conversation highlights the need for clearer resources and explanations in mastering this engineering concept.
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.
 
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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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