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Year 7

Cross-sectional drawings

I can produce cross-sectional drawings to show internal details.

icon-background-square
New
New
Year 7

Cross-sectional drawings

I can produce cross-sectional drawings to show internal details.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Cross-sectional drawings help see inside objects by cutting them open on paper.
  2. Cross-sectional drawings are used when important details are hidden inside and can't be seen from the outside.
  3. A cutting plane is a dashed line with arrows that shows where the object is cut to reveal the inside.
  4. Hatching indicates a cut section, showing internal details and clarifying it's not the full design.

Keywords

  • Cross-section - an internal view of a 3D object when cut through a plane

  • Cutting plane - indicates where a sectional view is taken from, represented by a dashed line with arrows

  • Internal details - the features inside an object only visible in a cross-sectional drawing.

Common misconception

A cross-sectional drawing is just another drawing view, such as front or side.

A cross-sectional view is an internal view showing what the inside looks like when sliced through. It is is meant to reveal hidden details inside an object.


To help you plan your year 7 design and technology lesson on: Cross-sectional drawings, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Having objects that can be cut/opened to show internal details will help pupils visualise the concept.
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Teacher tip
equipment-required

Equipment

Pencil, rubber, ruler.

copyright

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is an orthographic projection?
Correct answer: a representation of a 3D object in 2D
used to plan out and position elements of a drawing
a 3D representation of an object where sides are drawn at 30 degrees
Q2.
Which of these views would you NOT usually see in an orthographic projection?
Front view
Side view
Top view
Correct answer: Diagonal view
Q3.
How are hidden lines or details represented in an orthographic projection?
bold lines
coloured lines
Correct answer: dotted lines
Q4.
When creating an orthographic projection, which view do you draw first?
side view
plan view
Correct answer: front view
Q5.
What view is this?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: isometric
plan
front
Q6.
Which term describes the size and shape of an object?
Correct answer: Dimensions
Precision
Proportion

4 Questions

Q1.
What type of drawing shows internal features of an object?
Correct answer: Cross-sectional drawing
Exploded diagram
Orthographic drawing
Q2.
What can cross-sectional drawings help us to understand?
Colour matching
Correct answer: Complex structures
Simple shapes
Q3.
In which fields are cross-sectional drawings commonly used?
Correct answer: manufacturing and engineering
fashion design
literature analysis
Q4.
What do hatched marks on a cross-sectional drawing indicate?
Correct answer: that material has been cut through
the hidden internal details of a design
the external surface details of a design