©1998-2010 Griff Wason | All rights reserved. All trademarks and trade names acknowledged.

Examples of Cutaway Techniques

Yes, the ubiquitous Camera Lens cutaway the stalwart warhorse
of just about every technical illustrators’ portfolio.

I have often wondered why the camera lens is such a popular subject amongst illustrators.

I suppose it is because it is a universal and widely known object to demonstrate technical illustration techniques. However, it can make for a very tricky subject if it is mechanically and optically misunderstood, and can be quite a challenge to get just right.

Externally, it is a a deceptively simple device. But, beneath its surface lies a very complex and beautifully evolved optical instrument. Over the last 70 or so years, the design has been honed and improved, and except for focusing and iris motor drives, and certain other updates made for mass production, fundamentally the photographic camera lens has not changed all that much in decades.

Anyway, here are some of my versions - as always, I have tried to be a little different.

Vertical Oblique View 140° Section Cutaway

No, not a full cross-section. But, nonetheless a cross-section cut at a 140° longitudinal angle to the centre (Z axis).

The choice of this cutaway angle shows a straight on cutaway (left hand side) to the viewer, and yet allows some of the external features (see right hand side) to be viewed giving some context to the piece as a whole.

The red colour at the cut section edge is a longstanding convention used by most illustrators - although I do not really favour it myself, does make it perfectly clear where the (section) cut has been made.

Photographic Camera Lens
3/4 View 140°
Sectioned Cutaway

In some ways, this is the most useful view as it gives the viewer an external context to the subject. It is also obvious where and how much has been cut from the subject whilst still giving the opportunity to show chosen components within the body of the lens.

Again, the red colour at the cut section edge is a longstanding convention used by illustrators - although I do not really favour it myself, it does make it perfectly clear where the (section) cut has been made.

Photographic Camera Lens
Side View 140° Sectioned Cutaway

The same subject as above, but the view point this time is from the left hand POV (Point Of View).

This viewpoint is less useful, but sometimes has its uses generally in combination with other views.

This cutaway angle shows a complete left external view of the subject (left hand side) to the viewer, with a contextual view of some chosen components within the subject.

Other illustration examples:

Please click on the thumbnail images to view page

Photographic Camera Lens

Front View 140°
Sectioned Cutaway

Front view of the GWai 50mm lens

3/4 view of the GWai 50mm lens

Standard illustration

Sectioned Cutaway

Exploded Cutaway

Ghosted/Phantom Cutaway

Exploded illustration