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Projection of a Solid — VektorCAD Tutorial

This exercise shows how to construct the projections of a solid using VektorCAD. You’ll begin with the base in true shape, project to the other view, then impose the required inclinations by rotating with arcs and projectors. Use Normal thickness for construction/projection/dimension lines and Thick for the final visible edges of the solid.

Problem Statement

Draw the projections of a regular hexagonal prism of base side 25 mm and axis length 60 mm.
The prism rests with one of its rectangular faces on HP such that its axis is inclined at 45° to VP.

Given - Solid: Hexagonal prism, side 25 mm, axis 60 mm.
- Resting on HP (base on HP).
- Inclinations: θ = 45° to VP.

Objective - Use VektorCAD: xyline, ucs, polygon, line, arc, point (if needed), dimlin, dimalign, text.
- Thickness: Normal for XY, projectors, construction, dimensions; Thick for final outlines.
- Turn Entity Snap ON throughout.

Step‑by‑Step

VektorCAD Tutorial — Projection of a Hexagonal Prism

Problem Statement: Draw the projections of a regular hexagonal prism of base side 25 mm and axis length 60 mm. The prism rests with one of its rectangular faces on HP such that its axis is inclined at 45° to VP.

1) Prepare Drafting Settings

  1. Line Thickness → Normal

  2. Select Normal (Thin / Normal / Thick).

  3. Keep this active for XY line, projectors, and dimensions.

  4. Enable Snaps

  5. Turn Snap ON and Entity Snap ON (recommended: Endpoint, Midpoint, Perpendicular).

  6. Ortho ON (optional) for horizontals and verticals.

2) Draw the XY Reference Line

  1. Run xyline.
  2. Draw a horizontal line ≈ 180 mm across the sheet.
  3. This is the XY line.

3) Construct the True Shape of Hexagon in Front View

  1. From the Rect dropdown menu, click Polygon.
  2. Enter 6 for number of sides.
  3. Choose Edge option at the prompt.
  4. Pick a point on XY line for the first edge endpoint.
  5. Enter @25,0 to construct a regular hexagon with side = 25 mm.
  6. Label vertices a'(1'), b'(2'), c'(3'), d'(4'), e'(5'), f'(6').

Result: Hexagon (base of prism) in front view.

Pentagon

4) Project Initial Top View

  1. From each hexagon vertex (a–f), draw vertical projectors downward to XY.
  2. On each projector above XY, mark points a′, b′, c′, d′, e′, f′.
  3. Draw vertical edges of length 60 mm to represent the prism’s axis.
  4. Complete the prism outline in front view.

Result:

  • Top view: True hexagon.
  • Front view: Rectangle 60 mm tall below XY.

Pentagon

5) Incline Axis at 45° to VP (Rotate in Top View)

  1. In top view, identify prism axis (center-to-center line of hexagons).
  2. Draw a new axis line at 45° to XY through one corner (say point a).
  3. Use Copy / Cutting Arc method to transfer vertex distances from original hexagon to this inclined axis.
  4. Redraw the hexagon in the tilted orientation.
  5. Project vertical edges upward to represent prism in the tilted top view.

Result: Inclined hexagon in top view, axis at 45° to VP.

Pentagon

6) Obtain Final Front View

  1. From tilted top view vertices (a–f), draw vertical projectors upward to XY.
  2. From original front view edges, draw horizontals across.
  3. Intersections give final front view vertices a′–f′.
  4. Join points to complete prism.
  5. Highlight visible edges in Thick lines; keep hidden edges dashed.

Pentagon

✅ Final Result:

  • Top View: Inclined hexagon with axis at 45° to VP.
  • Front View: Projected prism, resting on HP, axis inclined to VP.

Result Checklist

  • XY drawn (Normal) and labeled.
  • Entity Snap ON; UCS positioned conveniently.
  • Hexagon A…F (true shape) in top view; initial front view projected.
  • Tilted front view after θ = 35° using arc about O'.
  • Top view after θ constructed by back‑projection.
  • Turned top view so AB makes φ = 30° with XY.
  • Final front view projected from the turned top view.
  • Thick for final visible outlines; Normal for construction & dimensions.
  • Dimensions and labels placed.

Variations (practice)

  • Square pyramid: base 30 mm, axis 60 mm, resting on HP; set θ to HP and φ to VP (use polygon with 4 sides for base, apex at axis end).
  • Cylinder: use circle for base, line for generators; steps for tilting/turning are analogous.
  • Cone: base as circle, apex by axis length; rotate using arcs from the base center.

Commands Recap

  • xyline — draw XY reference (Normal).
  • Thickness — Normal for construction; Thick for final outlines.
  • Entity Snap — keep ON for accurate endpoints and centers.
  • ucs — reposition origin for convenient numeric input.
  • polygon — base construction (hexagon, side = 25 mm).
  • line — projectors, reference rays, envelope edges.
  • arc — rotate/turn views to impose θ/φ.
  • point — mark key points (axis endpoints, intersections) if needed.
  • dimlin, dimalign — linear/aligned dimensions.
  • text — labels, notes, angle callouts.

You’ve completed the projection of a solid by combining true‑shape construction with tilting (θ) and turning (φ), clearly separating final results (Thick) from construction (Normal).