Editing Technical drawing (section)

{{short description|Creation of standards and the technical drawings}}
{{distinguish|text=[[Technical draw]], a boxing term}}{{Technical drawings|expanded=Types}} 
[[File:Drafter at work.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Drafter]] at work]]
[[File:Bundesarchiv B 145 Bild-F038800-0010, Wolfsburg, VW Autowerk.jpg|thumb|Copying technical drawings in 1973]]

'''Technical drawing''', '''drafting''' or '''drawing''', is the act and discipline of composing drawings that [[Visual communication|visually communicate]] how something functions or is constructed.

Technical drawing is essential for communicating ideas in [[Manufacturing|industry]] and [[engineering]].
To make the drawings easier to understand, people use familiar [[symbols]], [[Perspective (graphical)|perspectives]], [[units of measurement]], [[notation]] systems, visual styles, and [[page layout]]. Together, such [[Convention (norm)|conventions]] constitute a [[visual language]] and help to ensure that the drawing is [[unambiguous]] and relatively easy to understand. Many of the symbols and principles of technical drawing are codified in an [[international standard]] called [[ISO 128]].

The need for precise communication in the preparation of a functional document distinguishes technical drawing from the expressive drawing of the [[visual arts]]. Artistic drawings are subjectively interpreted; their meanings are multiply determined. Technical drawings are understood to have one intended meaning.<ref name="g2000p3">{{cite book |title=Technical Drawing |edition=Fourth |last1=Goetsch |first1=David L. |last2=Chalk |first2=William S. |last3=Nelson |first3=John A. |year=2000 |publisher=Delmar Learning |series=Delmar Technical Graphics Series |location=[[Albany, New York|Albany]] |isbn=978-0-7668-0531-6 |oclc=39756434 |page=3 }}</ref>

A [[draftsman]] is a person who makes a [[drawing]] (technical or expressive). A professional drafter who makes technical drawings is sometimes called a drafting technician.