Blueprint Reading and Sketching

Master Engineering Drawings and Communicate Design with Precision. 

Blueprint reading and engineering drawing are foundational skills in mechanical engineering, manufacturing, product design, and industrial systems development. This Blueprint Reading & Technical Drawing course at UC San Diego Extended Studies prepares students to read, interpret, and create industry-standard engineering drawings using ASME Y14 and ISO drafting standards.

Students gain practical experience in orthographic projections, sectional and auxiliary views, dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T principles), surface finish symbols, welding symbols, fasteners, gears, bearings, and piping schematics, while developing both freehand sketching and CAD-supported drafting skills.

Whether you're an engineering student, technician, CAD professional, or working in manufacturing, this course will elevate your technical communication skills immediately.

What You Will Learn in This Engineering Drawing Course

• Engineering drawing terminology and drafting fundamentals
• ASME Y14 and ISO standards compliance
• Sectional views and auxiliary views
• Dimensioning, tolerancing, fits, and allowances
• Surface texture and material specification symbols
• Welding symbols and weldment drawings
• Fasteners, threads, gears, and bearings representation
• Piping diagrams, hydraulic and pneumatic schematics
• 2D to 3D visualization and CAD drafting fundamentals

Why Blueprint Reading Skills Matter in Mechanical Engineering

Engineering drawings are the universal language of manufacturing and design. Employers in Aerospace, Automotive, Robotics, Industrial manufacturing, Energy systems and Product development require professionals who can interpret and produce accurate, standards-compliant technical drawings.

This course strengthens core competencies needed for:

• Mechanical design roles
• Manufacturing engineering
• Quality engineering
• CAD drafting positions
• Engineering project management
• Capstone and senior design projects

Who Should Take This Blueprint Reading Course?

This course is ideal for:

• Mechanical engineering students
• Manufacturing professionals
• CAD designers
• Quality engineers
• Engineering technicians
• Professionals transitioning into mechanical design
• Engineers preparing for advanced design or GD&T coursework

Course Benefits

By completing this course, you will be able to:

• Interpret mechanical part and assembly drawings
• Apply ASME Y14 and ISO drafting standards
• Create dimensionally accurate engineering drawings
• Analyze tolerances and manufacturing requirements
• Read welding, material, and surface finish symbols
• Translate piping and system schematics into functional understanding
• Produce professional technical documentation

Course Format

• Offered in Spring and Fall quarter
• Online: 
  • Delivered asynchronously with access to course materials anytime during the published course dates
  • Flexibility within structured timelines
  • Interactive learning environments using Canvas LMS
  • Instructor support and feedback
  • Access to all course materials online

Next Steps

After completing this course, students are encouraged to continue their learning journey by enrolling in the Mechanical Analysis and Design certificate program or continue to take courses in the program.