Starting a traditional technical drawing: setup and alignment When beginning a manual (board) technical drawing, what preparatory step should be performed first to ensure the sheet is square relative to the main drawing reference?

Introduction / Context:
Accurate geometry on a drawing begins with accurate setup. If the sheet itself is skewed relative to the parallel bar (or drafting machine), all subsequent lines risk angular error, forcing rework.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• A parallel straightedge or parallel bar provides the primary horizontal reference.
• Paper is attached to the board using drafting tape or clips.
• Subsequent construction lines and title blocks reference this alignment.

Concept / Approach:
Square the paper first. Use the parallel bar to align the sheet's bottom edge, then tape corners while verifying that the bar slides and remains parallel to the sheet edge. With a squared foundation, guide lines and projection geometry will be accurate.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Draw a horizontal test line near the top and measure its distance to the sheet edge; distances should be uniform if square.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Guide lines or miter lines (options A/B) come after the sheet is squared.
• Sharpening pens (option D) is good practice but not the geometric first step.

Common Pitfalls:
Aligning to the board edge instead of the bar can introduce errors if the bar is not perfectly parallel to the board frame. Always reference the bar or drafting machine rulers.

Final Answer:
align the paper so that it will be positioned square to the parallel bar