On Vellum: History and Usage

Have you tried using translucent tracing paper with any of your projects? Great designers and artists have used different kinds of vellum for hundreds of years, and a modern vellum is an important tool on any contemporary designer's list. This versatile paper allows the user to explore different options for their work by building layers and fleshing out concepts.

Originally, vellum was made using the skins of animals, and medieval manuscripts the world over were bound in it. When compared to paper, vellum was durable, highly resistant to changes in humidity and temperature. It was used to stretch over frames for painting until canvas was developed. Some musical instruments even used vellum skins. A famous example of the use of vellum can be found in the original printed book, the Gutenberg Bible - 12 of the 48 copies of the book were on vellum, meaning the skins of at least 170 calves were used in their production.

Nowadays, modern vellum is now synthetically produced and readily available for the average consumer in a range of weights and sizes. Some retain the austere thickness and softness of their namesake, while others are crisp and light for freer use. In many places, "vellum" now refers primarily to translucent tracing paper, which has a wide range of practical applications.

Vellum is used widely in professional drafting for blocking out type or logos, expanding on concepts and making corrections or notes on technical drawings. Painters can use vellum to layer over their drawings and experiment, and fine arts educators can use sheets of it to make corrections on a work or demonstrate techniques without touching the original. Some varieties can even be used in print, which means book and print artists can now make use of its unique properties.

When using vellum as a medium for your work, you are participating in a long tradition of creativity, as well as a widely-used standard for professional architects, draftsmen and designers. If you've never tried it, pick up a ream today and give yourself a chance to see how it can add to your process.

The Advantages of Using Vinyl Table Top Covers to Protect Drafting Boards

Drafting tables are some of the most used pieces of equipment within engineering and design offices. Over time, many of them become worn due to sharp items such as compass points, tacks, and pencils constantly being pressed onto their surfaces. However, more and more companies in recent years have discovered vinyl table top covers as a way to protect their tables from wear and tear. Smooth, durable, and easy to install, these 5-ply covers are available in 10-yard rolls up to 60 inches wide or as precut sheets ranging in size from 18"x24" up to 48"x96".

One of the biggest advantages of vinyl table top covers is the ability to custom cut them to fit virtually any work surface. In addition to drafting tables, they can also be used on file cabinets, counter tops, and other surfaces within the office. They are also known for being easy to clean, requiring only a damp cloth or sponge to wipe away stains and other marks left by pencils. Because they are self-sealing, they retain their smooth surface and can recover almost immediately from impressions left from drawings.

The most popular styles of covers include green/cream, gray/white, and translucent. Of the three, translucent has proven to be very effective in protecting surfaces of fine wood furniture. As a result, it has been used extensively on the surfaces of office desks to protect the surface against various types of damage. Along with this, it has also been found to be effective for use over grid or graph paper, and for protecting the glass surfaces of light boxes and tables from being scratched or broken.

With its ability to not discolor, crack, or deteriorate as the years go by, covers such as these have proven to be smart choices for protecting furniture in many engineering offices. By being able to prolong the life of drafting boards, tables, desks, and other office furniture, vinyl covers have been well worth the investment. As offices everywhere continue to look for ways to save money, these covers will continue to be used extensively.

Free Your Creativity With Female Fashion Templates Figures

There are many occasions when illustrators need to include human figures in drawings. Although the artists may be very skilled at drawing architecture or fashion or automobiles, the human body may simply not be their forte. In these cases, the wise illustrator knows to turn to a template.

Female fashion templates figures are particularly useful and popular. Depending upon the template chosen, these figures may be in different sizes, clothed or unclothed silhouettes, and shown from different angles.

A basic plastic stencil with outlines of a woman in business attire is ideal for depicting a generic representation of an adult woman. These stencils typically have a group of four figures in six different sizes. Each size includes the figure in the same four standing positions: two three-quarter views, a side view and a front view with arms crossed. The women are shown sporting assorted hairstyles and wearing skirts of various lengths with and without jackets.

A second type of template offers a more schematic figure of a bald, unclothed female adult at one-eighth scale. This template shows the figure in front and side views. It features precision perforations at each joint and pivot point of the body, allowing the illustrator to reorient the template for any body configuration desired. Each figure is marked with lines and angles for precision matching and positioning.

This second template style is flexible enough to use when a body needs to be matched with its surroundings, such as sitting in a car or bending over to pick up a child. It is also suited to fashion illustrations; outlines in various poses can be drawn in advance, ready to serve as the framework for the designer’s creative flow.

Illustrators from fashion designers to engineers find themselves drawing the female figure every day. Female fashion templates figures can give them the freedom to easily produce silhouettes to populate any imaginable scene, forming the foundation for creative expression.

Wleding Maps and Welding Map Symbols

A welding map is an important communication tool. The welding map helps teams collaborate effectively to create an accurate piece. The map utilizes standardized drawings to assist in planning the production of a piece. In a welding profession, it is important that one master the fundamentals of how to accurately read and interpret drawings on a typical welding map.

Memorization versus knowing the fundamentals

The industry is divided on what makes sense for professionals. Some people encourage memorizing every single symbol as essential in working with welding maps. Other professionals stress the importance of learning how to read the intricate maps. While both sides have a point, there may actually be the middle ground. Focusing on the most commonly used symbols across the industry while mastering the fundamentals of reading a map will prepare the professional for a successful career.

What does a weld map contain?

The basic construct of a weld map consists of a few symbols. The weld map consist of an arrow, reference line, leader line, and tail. This is the basis for most drawings produced. The arrows dictate the location and orientation of the weld. The reference and leader lines intersect. The tail of a drawing is usually positioned opposite the head of a typical symbol and is forked. Weld maps may incorporate numbering if multiple joints have to be formed.

Weld map symbols are using in planning a project used for creating an initial component or for making a series of repairs. The maps produced guide professionals in creating an assembly or system. While some professionals aren’t able to read a map, others find it a necessity for being in the profession and promoting quality. Designers and engineers work together to collaborate and produce assemblies using these maps as a communication tool. As a part of a certificate program or in an apprenticeship scenario, training on how to interpret the weld map symbols is provided.

How to Select Mechanical Pencils

Architects need the best drafting pencils available in order to make uniform lines in drawings. A consistent line width is vital to avoid errors in architectural drawings created before building structures such as apartment buildings, bridges and homes.

If a drawing has a smudge, then it can lead to mistakes when ordering building materials such as metal beams and drywall panels. A mechanical pencil is the type of writing instrument that architects choose when working on drawings because the items do not require sharpening.

A high-quality mechanical pencil manufactured by a well-known company also has features that will make it desirable. Anyone using one of these mechanical pencils wants an item that is easy to hold without causing hand or wrist fatigue.

Types of Mechanical Pencil Features

Each individual has a preference for the type of mechanical pencil required, and this is why companies make a variety of styles such as:

• Twist erase feature
• Point retracting
• Metal knurled grips
• Handcrafted
• Balanced
• Outside case color
• Eraser under the lid
• Cushioned points
• Window to view lead
• Color-coded barrel

With an assortment of mechanical pencil choices, each architectural student can choose a writing instrument that works best for them to create accurate schematics and blueprints.

There are Several Lead Thicknesses for Mechanical Pencils

It is possible to select a mechanical pencil that uses these types of lead:

• Fine
• Thin
• Medium
• Thick

Always buy the best drafting pencils from established companies that also manufacture quality lead that resists smudging and is easy to insert into the writing instrument.

Mechanical Pencils are an Important Investment

Mechanical pencils are available at different prices to meet the needs of college students or architectural firms, and many individuals prefer to order several at bulk prices.

There are good reasons to have extra mechanical pencils ready while creating a drawing, including saving time instead of needing to replace the lead immediately or switching quickly to different lead thicknesses.

A mechanical pencil is an investment in a professional’s work life or a student’s academic life and requires careful consideration before making a purchase.

About Scale Master II

If an individual is employed as an estimator or as a construction worker, then he may want to invest in Scale Master II. People who are searching for speedy and precise options for performing plan and print take-offs may benefit from use of this product. It is equipped with convenient metric and imperial graduations.

Scale Master II has 91 scales that are integrated into the product. These scales are able to manage all kinds of applications. The product, impressively enough, has eight scales that are customized, as well. People can manipulate these customized scales to take care of plans and prints that aren't scaled. They can also do so to manage plans and prints that have been minimized, enlarged or even faxed. The impressive Scale Master has the ability to immediately perform calculations on volumes and areas that have regular shapes.

Other highlights that are associated with the use of this Scale Master include the gathering of memory, a push-button counter, a subtract key and finally, auto count mode. It has PC (Personal Computer) interface capabilities, as well. If an individual decides to purchase this product, it will come with a case for protection purposes. It will come with lithium batteries, too. It will even come with a helpful user's manual that can educate him on how to use properly it in all different types of instances.

This Scale Master has a handy PC interface kit that's also important. This kit enables the product to join a computer for measurement input purposes. It also enables this connection for value input reasons. When people use this kit, they can input information straight from their specific plan measurements into designated spreadsheet and estimate applications. If a person buys this convenient kit, he'll receive a software CD. He'll also receive a cable that comes with a handy 25-pin connector. This cable accommodates 9-pin adapters. Other components of this kit are a full installation and use guide and a USB (Universal Serial Bus) adapter. The PC Interface Kit is suitable for use with Windows XP, Windows 98 and lastly, Windows 3.0.

With proper preparation, use of the Scale Master product generally is straightforward.