Print Reading and Tolerances

Fully understand your engineering prints without years of experience. (Formally Engineering Drawing Basics)

Course Overview

Average time to complete: 8-12 hours
6-Months Course Access from date of purchase
- Bundle with another course to receive 1-year course access
25+ Lessons
Handouts, Quizzes, Charts, Examples and More
Access to Bonus Webinars & Materials
100% Completion Certificate

Course Description

Misinterpreting technical prints can cause communication breakdowns, costly downtime, and frustrating disagreements. Unfortunately, many industry professionals spend years pretending they know how to effectively read engineering drawings, while struggling to understand what all the symbols and tolerances really mean. There’s a better way to overcome this confusion and interpret prints with confidence and clarity.

Our Print Reading and Tolerances course, formerly known as Engineering Drawing Basics, makes it easy to read, interpret, and understand technical prints. We break down the complexities of engineering drawings into key concepts that apply to every print, using a mix of documented standards, shop floor knowledge, and real-world examples. This introductory course equips you to work with actual engineering drawings by teaching a proven process to interpret prints the right way every time.

Course Objectives

By the time you complete this course, you’ll be able to:

Recognize and understand the most common symbols found on engineering drawings
Identify the pertinent manufacturing information on a print, such as units of measure, general tolerances, revision history, bill of material, and other critical data
Decipher different dimensioning methods used on engineering drawings to determine what dimensional tolerances really mean
Interpret various views and line types on 2D drawings to visualize the full geometry of a part or assembly in 3D

You’ll leave this course equipped to read, interpret, and understand real engineering drawings—and empowered to work more confidently, communicate more clearly, and produce parts more efficiently.

Who it is for

Anyone who works with prints or makes decisions with them, regardless of technical background, can benefit from Print Reading and Tolerances. Our course is approachable at any level, with no previous print reading experience required.

Requirements (Materials and Classes)

No prerequisite training
No prior experience needed
No additional materials to purchase – everything you’ll need is included (see below)

What's Included

6-month access from the date of purchase
- Bundle with another course to receive 1-year access.
Direct instructor email support with access to pre-recorded video answers
Monthly - Live and pre-recorded webinars offering design, production, and inspection walk-throughs
Helpful charts, drawing examples, practice exercise worksheets, and other printable handouts
Quizzes and knowledge checks to gauge progress throughout the course
Certificate of course completion with 12 Professional Development Hours (PDH)

Course Reviews

Awesome Experience!

Saif Ahmad Afridi

This course is well-rounded, comprehensive, and taught by a great teacher. I was seeking a revision of the basics as I recently graduated and have entered th...

This course is well-rounded, comprehensive, and taught by a great teacher. I was seeking a revision of the basics as I recently graduated and have entered the job market. To my surprise, this course offered much more than I knew about engineering drawing and provided a full perspective of how things are done in the industry. The challenging exercises and webinars are an added bonus. Definitely recommended to students, teachers, and engineers!

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Awesome

Gilroy Phillips Rivera

I am a Salesman and have been in the BPO industry for quite sometime, I have never been to the Engineering Field up until I got hired by Rigid Technologies C...

I am a Salesman and have been in the BPO industry for quite sometime, I have never been to the Engineering Field up until I got hired by Rigid Technologies Co., Ltd. in Thailand. After searching a lot of guides and reviews about this field, I finally encounter GD&T Basics. Engineering Drawing Basics is what I really needed and looking forward for more learnings from this company. I maybe lucky because everytime I have a question, I got answers in timely manner (I am in Thailand more or less 12 hours ahead of USA) but they can reply immediatly. The topics, were clearly explained in the videos, the pdf files summarizes the lesson in each chapter, Brandon explains very well to me about my questions and support is always available.

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Great Introduction to GD&T

Raymond Allen

Overall very happy with the course. Highly recommend.

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Informative

Jamie Hernandez

Overall the material was informative. Not overly challenging and very relevant to the referenced ASME / Industry standard. My only concern: As I progres...

Overall the material was informative. Not overly challenging and very relevant to the referenced ASME / Industry standard. My only concern: As I progressed to the latter courses, there were place holders for intended new materials or materials that had not been completely developed. As I moved on to the remaining materials and had taken the final exam, the course concluded and now it appears that I do not have access to the undeveloped pending materials, which I was looking forward to reviewing. the 5 star rating is based on the potential relevant to the present completeness of the entire course.

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great course

Charles Chandler

Great course- enjoyed it.

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Engineering made understandable

Stephane Tremblay

Glad to have taken it. Not a waste of time and Quite valuable.

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Types of Engineering

Sreenivas C J

Presented very well! easy to follow and grasp

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good explanation

Nathan Berkos

good explanation

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QUALITY CONTROL INSPECTOR

Fran LaRowe

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Course curriculum

1

Welcome to the course
- 00-1 - How to use the Course Platform & Navigation
- 00-2 - Support Options and Class Discussions
- 00-3 Connect with Us - Quick Links for Support and Questions
- 00-4 Weekly Webinars and Bonus Content
2

Course Resources for Printing
- PR&T Handout Booklet
- PR&T Wall Chart
- Engineer Essentials Drill Tap Chart
- Engineer Essentials Welding Chart
3

Pre-Quiz
- Print Reading and Tolerances Knowledge Check
4

UNIT 1 - Drawing Information System
- Unit 1 - Overview
5

The Two Types of Engineering Drawings
- Two Types of Engineering Drawings
- Types of Engineering Drawings - Quiz
6

Goal of an Engineering Drawing
- Goal of an Engineering Drawing - How and Why We Use Engineering Prints
- Goal of an Engineering Drawing - Important Standards and How They are Used
- Goal of an Engineering Drawing - Quiz
7

Most Important Parts of the Drawing
- Most Important Parts of an Engineering Drawing
- Most Important Parts of the Drawing - Quiz
8

Field of View
- Field of View - Drawing Sizes
- Field of View - Sheet Scale Borders and Zones
- Field of View - Quiz
9

Title Block
- Title Block - Introduction to Title Blocks
- Title Block - Standard Information
- Title Block - Size, Scale, Tolerance Block
- Title Block - Blanks in Title Blocks and Review
- Title Block - Quiz
10

General Drawing Notes
- General Drawing Notes - General Guidelines
- General Drawing Notes - Types of Notes
- General Drawing Notes - Quiz
11

Revision Block
- Revision Block - Basic Rules and Guidelines
- Revision Block - Engineering Change Order
- Revision Block - Quiz
12

Bill of Material
- Bill of Material
- Bill of Material - Quiz
13

Print Information - Exercises
- Q1: EDB-EX01 Drawing Identification - Exercise 1
- A1: EDB-EX01 Drawing Identification - Solution 1
- Q2: EDB-EX01 Drawing Identification - Exercise 2
- A2: EDB-EX01 Drawing Identification - Solution 2
- Q3: EDB-EX02 Drawing Identification - Exercise 3
- A3: EDB-EX02 Drawing Identification - Solution 3
14

UNIT 2 - Drawing Visualization System
- Unit 2 - Overview
15

Part Geometry Lines
- Part Geometry Lines - Visible Lines, Hidden Lines, and Center Lines
- Part Geometry Lines - Symmetry Lines, Phantom Lines & Tangent Edges
- Part Geometry Lines - Chain Lines, Break Lines, & Review
- Part Geometry Lines - Quiz
16

Orthographic Views & Angle Projections
- Orthographic Views - Introduction to Orthographic Views
- Orthographic Views - Benefits of 2D Drawings and Projection System Methods
- Orthographic Views - First vs Third Angle Comparison
- Orthographic Views - Bowl Method
- Orthographic Views - More Third Angle and First Angle Projection Examples
- First vs Third Angle Symbol - A Very Common Mistake
- Orthographic Views & Angle Projections- Quiz
17

Orthographic Views - Exercises
- Q1: EDB-EX03 - Orthographic View Identification - Exercise 1
- A1: EDB-EX03 - Orthographic View Identification - Solution 1
- Q2: EDB-EX04 - Orthographic View Identification - Exercise 2
- A2: EDB-EX04 - Orthographic View Identification - Solution 2
- Q3: EDB-EX05 - Drawing Lines - Exercise 3
- A3: EDB-EX05 - Drawing Lines - Solution 3
- Q4: EDB-EX06 - 1st & 3rd Angle - Exercise 4
- A4: EDB-EX06 - 1st & 3rd Angle - Solution 4
18

Common Drawing Views
- Common Drawing Views - Single and Two-View Drawings
- Common Drawing Views - Multi-View Drawings and Isometric View
- Common Drawing Views - Assembly, Removed, and Section Views
- Common Drawing Views - Detail, Auxiliary, and Related Part Views
- Common Drawing Views - ISO View Method and Review
- Common Drawing Views - Quiz
19

Section Views
- Section Views - Basic Rules and Identification
- Section Views - Cutting Plane Views and Offset and Aligned
- Section Views - Half, Broken Out and Revolved Sections
- Section Views - Quiz
20

Descriptive/Dimensioning Lines
- Descriptive Lines - Section Lines and Dimension Lines
- Descriptive Lines - Extension Lines and Leader Lines
- Descriptive Lines - Quiz
21

Drawing Views - Exercises
- Q1: Drawing EDB-EX07 Section View - Exercise 1
- A1: EDB-EX07 Section View - Solution 1
- Q2: Drawing EDB-EX08 General Views - Exercise 2
- A2: EDB-EX08 General Views - Solution 2
- Q3: Drawing EDB-EX09 General Views - Exercise 3
- A3: EDB-EX09 General Views - Solution 3
- Q4: Drawing EDB-EX03 Isometric View - Exercise 4
- A4: EDB-EX03 Isometric View - Solution 4
- Q5: Drawing EDB-EX10 Isometric View - Exercise 5
- A5: EDB-EX10 Isometric View - Solution 5
22

UNIT 3 - Special Requirements and Callouts
- Lesson Overview
23

General Drawing Symbols and Callouts
- Drawing Callouts 1: Remove all Burrs and Sharp Edges
- Drawing Callouts 2 - Radius, Spherical Radius, Controlled Radius
- Drawing Callouts 3 - Diameter, Spherical Diameter
- Drawing Callouts 4 - Square Symbol
- Drawing Callouts 5 - Depth Symbol
- Drawing Callouts 6 - Chamfers, Fillets, Rounds
- Drawing Callouts 7 - Multiple Identical Features
- Drawing Callouts 8 - Arc Length
- Drawing Callouts 9 - Angular Surfaces
- Drawing Callouts 10 - Conical and Flat Taper
- Drawing Callouts 11 - Parting Lines
- Drawing Callouts 12 - Keyseats and Keyways
- Drawing Callouts 13 - Knurling
- Drawing Callouts 14 - Dimension Origin Symbol
24

Holes and Threads
- Holes and Threads 1 - Holes and Slots
- Holes and Threads 2 - Hole Features
- Holes and Threads 3 - Threads
- Holes and Threads 4 - Review
25

Roughness and Hardness
- Roughness and Hardness 1 - Surface Roughness
- Roughness and Hardness 2 - Material Hardness
26

Fundamental Welding Symbols
- Welding Fundamentals 1 - Welding Methods
- Welding Fundamentals 2 - Weld Symbols
- Welding Fundamentals 3 - Weld Types
27

Callouts and Symbols Exercises
- Callouts and Symbols Exercise 1 - Question
- Callouts and Symbols Exercise 1 Answer
- Callouts and Symbols Exercise 2 Question
- Callouts and Symbols Exercise 2 Answer
- Callouts and Symbols Exercise 3 Question
- Callouts and Symbols Exercise 3 Answer
28

UNIT 4 - Tolerancing System
- Unit 4 - Overview
29

Intro to Tolerances
- Intro to Tolerances - What is a Tolerance?
- Intro to Tolerances - Why Use Tolerances?
- Intro to Tolerances - Defining Tolerance Limits
- Intro to Tolerances - Quiz
30

Metric vs Inch
- Inch Vs Metric Dimensions - Introduction and Industry Standards
- Inch Vs Metric Dimensions - Common Terminology
- Inch Vs Metric Dimensions - Imperial Dimensions
- Inch Vs Metric Dimensions - Metric Dimensions and Review
- Inch vs Metric - Quiz
31

Dimensional Tolerances
- Types of Dimensional Tolerances - Why Use Dimensional Tolerances?
- Types of Dimensional Tolerances - Different Ways of Dimensioning
- Types of Dimensional Tolerances - Reference and Basic Dimensions
- Types of Dimensional Tolerances - Quiz
32

Coordinate Dimensioning Methods
- Coordinate Dimensions - Size and Locations Tolerances
- Coordinate Dimensions - Chain Dimensioning
- Coordinate Dimensions - Baseline Dimensioning
- Coordinate Dimensions - Direct and Polar Dimensioning
- Coordinate Dimensions - Visualizing Coordinate Locations Tolerances
- Coordinate Dimensions - Review Coordinate Tolerances
- Coordinate Dimension Tolerances - Quiz
33

Dimensional Tolerancing - Exercises
- Q1: Tolerancing Exercise 1
- A1: Tolerancing Solution 1
- Q2 - Tolerancing Exercise 2
- A2: Tolerancing Solution 2
- Q3: Tolerancing Exercise 3
- A3: Tolerancing Solution 3
34

The Basics of GD&T
- GDT Basics 1 - Intro and SLOF
- GD&T Basics 2 - Symbols and Datums
- GD&T Basics 3 - Targets and Tolerances
- GD&T Basics 4 - Conclusion
35

GD&T Exercises
- GD&T Exercise 1 Question
- GD&T Exercise 1 Answer
- GD&T Exercise 2 Question
- GD&T Exercise 2 Answer
36

Print Reading and Tolerances - Final Exam
- Note: Before you take the final exam
- Final Exam
- How did things go?