Connect 3D objects to 2D (top, front & side views)
Theory
The top, front and side views of a solid are flat pictures. Each shows two of its three measurements — length, height and depth — and hides the one pointing away from the eye.
A solid has three measurements: length, height and depth.
The top view looks straight down and shows length and depth.
The front view shows length and height. The side view shows depth and height.
Each view hides the one measurement that points away from the eye.
Each view shows two of the three measurements and hides the third.
| View | Shows | Hides |
|---|---|---|
| Top | length and depth | height |
| Front | length and height | depth |
| Side | depth and height | length |
How to read a view
- Name the measurements. Note the length, height and depth of the solid.
- Choose the direction. Top looks down, front looks straight on, side looks from the end.
- Read the two that are left. The measurement pointing away is hidden; the other two are the sides of the view.
The top view hides the height, so it shows length and depth: \(5\) by \(4\).
The front view shows length and height, so its height is \(4\).
The top view shows length and depth; across is the length, \(8\).
Looking straight down hides the height, so it is the top view.
Common pitfalls
Frequently asked questions
What are the top, front and side views?
Flat pictures of a solid seen from three directions. The top view looks down, the front view looks straight on, and the side view looks from the end.
Which measurements does the top view show?
Length and depth. Looking straight down hides the height, so only the length and depth are left.
What does the front view show?
Length and height. The depth points away from the eye, so it is hidden.
Why is each view flat?
A view is a \(2\)D rectangle. It shows only two measurements at once, so the third is not drawn.
How do I know which measurement is hidden?
It is the one pointing away from you. The top hides height, the front hides depth, and the side hides length.