High school Design and Technology students are often required to construct developments (nets) of simple geometric objects, such as cubes, prisms, cylinders, and cones. This article introduces how to draw a development using a drawing board, set squares, T-square, and compass.
What is a development (net)?
A development or net is what an item would look like if it was made from a thin sheet and folded out flat.
Guidelines for drawing developments (nets)
- If it is a box or needs to be folded up and constructed, glue tabs and other tab and slot joining methods should be shown as needed;
- Arrange ‘faces’ of card sensibly to avoid waste and make it easier to draw and make (i.e. all pieces in a row etc.);
- Draw fold lines as long dash/short dash lines.
Amiria has a Bachelor of Architectural Studies, Bachelor of Architecture (First Class Honours) and a Graduate Diploma of Teaching. She is a CIE Accredited Art & Design and Design & Technology Coursework Assessor. Amiria now teaches Art, Design & Technology at ACG Parnell College.