Oblique sketching technique: When sketching an ellipse on a receding plane in an oblique drawing, is it acceptable to first block in the bounding rectangle and then sketch the ellipse tangent to the rectangle's sides to control proportions?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Correct

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Ellipses appear when circles are viewed at an angle. In oblique drawings, circles on receding planes project as ellipses. A standard freehand technique is to inscribe the ellipse within a guiding rectangle, touching midpoints to manage width and height. This question checks knowledge of that practical method.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Oblique projection keeps the front face true size; receding planes are foreshortened by convention (cavalier, cabinet, or general oblique).
  • We are sketching, not constructing with exact loci.
  • The target shape on the receding plane is an ellipse representing a circular feature.


Concept / Approach:
The bounding-rectangle method creates guide points (midpoints on each side) where the ellipse must be tangent, ensuring consistent major/minor axes proportions under the chosen foreshortening. This improves accuracy and symmetry compared with drawing an ellipse freehand without guides.


Step-by-Step Solution:

Sketch the receding plane and draw its bounding rectangle to the correct foreshortened dimensions.Mark the rectangle's side midpoints; these are tangency points.Lightly connect arcs through the tangency points to form a smooth ellipse.Darken the final outline; erase construction lines.


Verification / Alternative check:
Compare to ellipse templates or CAD-projected geometry; the inscribed ellipse closely matches the intended circle on the receding plane.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
The method is valid for cavalier, cabinet, and general oblique; it does not require a specific receding angle or isometric grids.


Common Pitfalls:
Misplacing tangency points; unequal quadrant arcs; ignoring the foreshortening ratio leading to the wrong minor axis length.


Final Answer:
Correct

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