Section Views

A section view in engineering graphics is a way of showing what the inside of an object looks like by imagining that part of it has been sliced away. Instead of relying on hidden lines to suggest internal features, a section view removes part of the object visually and displays what remains, as if the observer is looking straight into the cut. This approach allows the interior details—like holes, pockets, ribs, and complex shapes—to be shown more clearly and accurately.

To create a section view, an imaginary cutting plane is passed through the object, and everything in front of that plane is removed from view. The surface where the cut occurs is typically filled with hatching lines (also called section lines), which indicate solid material. The orientation of the cutting plane can vary depending on what features need to be revealed, and it’s often labeled with arrows and letters on the standard orthographic views to show the direction from which the section is observed.

Section views are especially useful when dealing with objects that have complicated interiors or multiple overlapping features. Rather than interpreting a maze of dashed lines, the viewer can see the geometry as if the object were physically cut open. This not only improves clarity but also supports more accurate fabrication, inspection, and communication of design intent.