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Paraline Drawings
Para line drawings include a subset of orthographic projections
known as axonometric projections-the isometric, dimetric, and
trimetric-as well as the entire class of oblique projections. Each
type offers aslightly different viewpoint and emphasizes different
aspects of the drawn subject. As afam ily, however, they combine
the measured precision and sca lability of mult iview drawings and
the pictorial nature of linear perspective. Because of their pictorial
quality and relative ease of construction. para line drawings are
appropriate for visualizing an emerging idea in three dimensions
early in the design process. They are capable of fusing plan,
elevation, and section into a single view and illustrating threedimensional patterns and compositions of space. Portions of a
paraline drawing can be cut away or made transparent to see inside
and through t hings, or expanded to illustrate the spatial
relationships bet ween the parts of awhole. At t imes, they can even
serve as a reasonable substitute for a bird's-eye perspective.