The projection of any feature on the horizontal plane is called the top view (plan).
Understanding projections is fundamental in various fields, from engineering and architecture to cartography and design. When we talk about projecting something onto a horizontal plane, we are essentially looking down on it from directly above.
Understanding the Horizontal Plane
Based on the provided reference, a Horizontal Plane is defined as:
A plane parallel to the floor is known as horizontal plane.
Imagine a flat surface perfectly level with the ground beneath your feet – that's a horizontal plane.
The Projection: Top View (Plan)
The projection of an object or a feature onto this horizontal plane is specifically referred to as the top view or plan.
The reference explicitly states:
Orthographic projection of an object on horizontal plane is known as top view (plan).
This type of projection, often an orthographic projection, shows the length and width of the object or feature but not its height. It's like looking at a building layout from the sky or seeing the floor plan of a house.
Applications and Examples
The top view (plan) is crucial in many contexts:
- Architecture & Construction: Floor plans, site plans, and roofing layouts are all forms of top views.
- Example: A floor plan shows the arrangement of rooms, walls, doors, and windows as seen from above.
- Engineering: Used in mechanical drawings to show the top face of a component or in civil engineering for site layouts.
- Cartography: Maps often represent geographical features projected onto a horizontal plane (the Earth's surface, or a flat representation of it).
- Urban Planning: Showing the layout of streets, buildings, and public spaces.
Here's a simple breakdown:
| Plane | View/Projection Name | Represents |
|---|---|---|
| Horizontal Plane | Top View (Plan) | Length and Width |
| Vertical Plane | Front View, Side View | Height and Width/Length |
In essence, the term "plan" is often used synonymously with "top view," particularly in architectural and civil engineering drawings, emphasizing the layout or plan of an area or structure.
