Hidden lines on assembly drawings: Should hidden lines usually be omitted from assembly views to improve clarity, except when needed to show essential internal features?

Introduction / Context:
Assembly drawings can become visually dense. Hidden lines, while useful, can overwhelm the viewer if overused. Good drafting convention typically omits hidden lines in assemblies unless they communicate critical information that cannot be shown another way.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The drawing is an assembly view (not a detailed part section).
• Internal relationships can often be communicated via sections or cutaways.
• Readability is a priority for manufacturing and inspection.

Concept / Approach:
Default to clean assembly views: visible edges, callouts, and minimal clutter. When an internal feature is critical, prefer a section view or breakout. Use hidden lines sparingly if a section is impractical and the hidden edge is essential to understanding. This balanced approach preserves readability while conveying necessary interior information.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Present two versions: one with dense hidden lines and one mostly visible with a sectional inset. The second will be easier to interpret and less error-prone in fabrication.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Including every hidden edge (option B) leads to clutter.
• Preferring hidden lines over visible edges (option C) contradicts drafting principles.
• Exploded views (option D) emphasize relationships, not hidden edges.
• Limiting hidden lines to fasteners (option E) is arbitrary and incorrect.

Common Pitfalls:
Overcrowding views; forgetting that a small section detail can replace many hidden lines; mixing hidden lines with heavy line weights that obscure callouts.

Final Answer:
Correct: omit hidden lines unless they clarify essential features