Floor plans, elevations, sections: what each drawing shows and why builders need all of them.
What is 2D drafting?
2D drafting is the creation of flat, scaled technical drawings that describe a building. Today this is done in CAD software such as AutoCAD, which makes drawings accurate and easy to revise.
The main drawings in a set
A typical drawing set includes several views, each answering a different question.
- Floor plan: a view from above showing room layout, walls, doors and windows
- Elevation: the outside view of each face of the building
- Section: a vertical cut showing heights, floors, slabs and stairs
- Site plan: the building’s position within the plot
- Working details: close-ups for construction such as stairs, sunshades and toilets
Why accuracy and consistency matter
If a plan and elevation disagree, the contractor has to guess. Consistent dimensions, levels and annotations across every sheet prevent expensive errors on site.
Getting drawings prepared
You can begin with a hand sketch, a measurement of an existing building or a concept from a designer. Our 2D drafting service converts these into clean drawing sets, and our 3D modeling team can show you how the design will look.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 2D drafting?
2D drafting is creating flat, dimensioned technical drawings — such as plans, elevations and sections — that describe how a building is arranged and built.
What is the difference between a plan and an elevation?
A plan is a top-down view of a floor layout. An elevation is a straight-on view of the outside face of the building.